The Riva 110 Dolcevita and Ferretti 920 represent two distinct interpretations of Italian yacht excellence. The Riva delivers timeless elegance, greater guest capacity, and unmatched brand prestige, while the Ferretti focuses on performance, spacious owner comfort, and value in the pre-owned market. Both offer exceptional craftsmanship, but the better choice depends on whether you prioritize heritage and luxury or speed, innovation, and practicality.
Two Italian names. Two entirely different personalities. If you are weighing the Riva Dolcevita vs Ferretti 920, you already know you’re looking at two of the most respected motor yachts ever built under the Italian flag. Both come from the Ferretti Group family, both are crafted with obsessive attention to detail, and both deliver a premium on-water experience. But they are not the same yacht, and they are not built for the same buyer. This review breaks down everything that separates them so you can make a confident, well-informed decision.
A Quick Note on the Models Being Compared
Before diving in, it helps to be clear on exactly which versions of each yacht this review covers.
The Riva Dolcevita in this comparison refers to the Riva 110 Dolcevita, the 110-foot flagship flybridge model that has been in production since 2018 and continues to be delivered in 2025 and 2026. It is also worth noting that the newer Riva 112 Dolcevita Super recently won the prestigious BOAT International World Superyacht Award 2026, beating competition in the Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts category at the 21st edition of the awards held in Venice. That recognition speaks directly to the strength of the Dolcevita lineage.
The Ferretti 920 refers to the 93-foot flybridge model produced by Ferretti Yachts from 2017 through to 2025. The Ferretti 920 was produced from 2017 to 2025 and is a 28.49-metre raised wheelhouse yacht with four guest cabins and a draft of 2.20 metres. It has since been discontinued as a new-build but remains actively available on the pre-owned market.
Specifications Side by Side
Here is a clear overview of both yachts based on verified data from leading yachting sources:
Riva 110 Dolcevita
- Length Overall: 33.53 m (110 ft)
- Beam: 7.27 m (23 ft 10 in)
- Draft: approximately 2.0 m
- Top Speed: 29 knots
- Cruising Speed: 25 knots
- Range: estimated 430 nm at 23 knots
- Engines: twin MTU diesel
- Guest Cabins: 5 staterooms, up to 10 guests
- Crew: up to 5
- Hull/Superstructure: GRP throughout
- Designer: Officina Italiana Design (exterior and interior)
Ferretti 920
- Length Overall: 28.49 m (93 ft 6 in)
- Beam: 6.78 m (22 ft 3 in)
- Top Speed: 30 knots
- Cruising Speed: 26 knots
- Range: estimated 360 nm at 22 knots
- Engines: twin MTU diesel, up to 2,435 MHP per engine
- Guest Cabins: 4 to 5 staterooms, up to 8 guests
- Crew: up to 5
- Hull/Superstructure: GRP throughout
- Designer: Zuccon International Project (exterior and interior)
Exterior Design: Italian Style, Two Different Expressions
Both yachts are undeniably Italian. Both turn heads in any marina. But they express that identity differently.
Riva 110 Dolcevita
The Dolcevita is a masterclass in emotional design. The 110 Dolcevita features an ultra-sporting profile, aerodynamic qualities, large glass windows on the trim line with integrated portholes, and a single-height glass window that runs the entire length of the living room framed by a stainless steel structure.
The flybridge and bow exterior areas are interconnected, creating an infinity deck of approximately 34 square metres of unbroken social space. That is an enormous amount of usable outdoor deck for a 110-foot vessel and a genuine differentiator.
Riva’s signature use of mahogany accents, chrome detailing, and teak decking gives the Dolcevita a heritage quality that other Italian brands simply cannot replicate. It looks like a Riva from 300 metres away, and that identity is worth something significant to the right buyer.
Ferretti 920
The Ferretti 920 takes a bolder, more angular approach. The eye-catching profile is underlined by detailing on the gunwale that extends beyond the bulwark walkways and intersects the master cabin window like a blade.
The 920 was the first in the Ferretti flybridge range to feature a wide-body concept, which delivers a grand sense of scale that is as captivating as it is commanding. Large dark-tinted windows dominate the profile and give the exterior an impression of raw power that contrasts sharply with the Dolcevita’s more classic elegance.
If the Riva is timeless, the Ferretti is contemporary. Neither is wrong. They just speak to different tastes.
Interior Design and Guest Experience
Riva 110 Dolcevita: Warmth, Heritage, and Refinement
The interiors are characterised by a design that is clean and elegant, including throughout the model’s interior, and the saloon is the yacht’s strong point together with the master suite, essentially encircled in glass that affords genuinely breathtaking views.
The interior was designed by Officina Italiana Design, the same studio responsible for the exterior, creating a cohesive visual language throughout the entire yacht. That unity of design is rare and contributes to an interior that feels complete rather than assembled from separate components.
Ferretti 920: Space, Innovation, and Flexibility
The Ferretti 920 punches well above its 93-foot hull length when it comes to interior volume. The interior space includes a main deck saloon with lounge and dining areas, an enclosed galley, and a forward owner’s suite. Two layout options are available for the lower deck, giving buyers genuine flexibility in how they configure guest accommodation.
The newly introduced PURE version exemplifies Ferretti’s warm and enveloping design philosophy, featuring exquisite materials, rich textures, and a timeless contemporary aesthetic.
Performance: Speed, Range, and On-Water Behaviour
This is where the riva vs ferretti conversation gets interesting, because the two yachts approach performance from different perspectives.
Riva 110 Dolcevita
The Riva 110 Dolcevita reaches a top speed of 29 knots and cruises comfortably at 25 knots, with a maximum cruising range of 430 nautical miles at 23 knots, powered by twin MTU engines.
For a vessel of 110 feet, those numbers are genuinely impressive. The planing GRP hull keeps weight manageable and allows for a lively, responsive ride. The Dolcevita is not a slow-and-steady passage maker. It is a yacht designed to cover ground quickly and arrive in style.
Ferretti 920
The Ferretti 920 reaches a top speed of 30 knots and cruises at 26 knots, with a maximum range of 360 nautical miles at 22 knots, powered by twin MTU diesel engines.
Despite being the smaller yacht, the Ferretti 920 is fractionally faster at both top speed and cruise. That comes down to its more focused planing hull and higher-output engine options. The 920 is available with three different MTU engine specifications, including twin 16V 2000 M96 units generating 2,435 MHP each, giving buyers meaningful flexibility in how much power they want beneath their feet.
On range, the Dolcevita holds a modest advantage at 430 nm compared to the Ferretti’s 360 nm, which matters for owners planning longer Mediterranean passages without needing to stop for fuel.
Deck Spaces and Lifestyle Features
Riva 110 Dolcevita
The Dolcevita was built for life on deck. Its successor, the 112 Dolcevita Super, features a beach club measuring 35 square metres, a 24-square-metre cockpit, and a 60-square-metre flybridge, giving a clear sense of the generous outdoor philosophy that runs through the entire Dolcevita family.
Ferretti 920
The expansive flybridge on the 920 provides multiple lounging areas with plush sunpads and sophisticated furnishings, and the foredeck features a raised bow area transformed into an exclusive retreat with oversized sun loungers and a beautifully appointed lounge.
The raised bow is one of the 920’s standout features. This higher foredeck allows for a better view and full enjoyment of the journey, and the layout freed up space in the forward section to make the master suite larger. It is a thoughtful design decision that improves both the guest experience on deck and the owner’s experience below.
Pricing and Value in 2026
Price comparison between these two models requires some nuance because of their size difference and production status.
The Riva 110 Dolcevita is actively available as a new build. Used examples are listed in the range of approximately $11 million to $13 million based on current market listings, reflecting strong residual value driven by the brand’s heritage and consistent demand.
Riva vs Ferretti: Who Should Choose Which?
This is the question that matters most, and the honest answer depends entirely on what the buyer prioritises.
Choose the Riva 110 Dolcevita if: You value brand prestige and design heritage above all. The Riva name carries emotional weight that no other Italian yacht brand quite matches. You need to accommodate up to 10 guests regularly, whether for family, friends, or charter. You want a yacht that ages gracefully and holds its value strongly over time. You cruise longer distances and appreciate the range advantage at cruising speed.
Choose the Ferretti 920 if: You want the fastest, most performance-focused yacht in this comparison. You prioritise the owner’s experience over maximum guest capacity, especially the extraordinary full-beam master suite. You are working with a budget that makes the Riva’s price point a stretch, and you want to enter the best italian luxury yacht segment with a vessel that still receives consistent praise from the yachting press. You appreciate the flexibility of multiple engine options and dual stabilizer systems as standard.
Awards and Industry Recognition
The top motor yacht 2026 conversation around both brands is supported by a strong record of industry recognition.
The Riva 110 Dolcevita won the Best Exterior Styling Motor Yacht award, and the broader Dolcevita family continues to earn recognition, with the 112 Dolcevita Super claiming a major BOAT International World Superyacht Award in 2026.
Both yachts represent the kind of Italian engineering and design thinking that makes the best italian luxury yacht category one of the most respected in global yachting.
Conclusion
The Riva Dolcevita vs Ferretti 920 comparison does not have a simple winner because they serve different needs with equal levels of Italian craftsmanship and pride. The Riva 110 Dolcevita is larger, more iconic, and built for owners who want maximum guest space, timeless design, and the weight of one of the world’s greatest yacht brands behind them. The Ferretti 920 is faster, more focused, and offers an owner’s suite that rivals vessels twice its size, all at a more accessible price point on the used market.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is the Riva Dolcevita better than the Ferretti 920?
Neither yacht is objectively better. The Riva 110 Dolcevita is larger with more guest capacity and greater brand prestige. The Ferretti 920 is faster and offers a more dominant owner’s suite at a lower price. The right choice depends entirely on your priorities as a buyer.
Q2: Are Riva and Ferretti part of the same group?
Yes. Both Riva Yachts and Ferretti Yachts are brands within the Ferretti Group, Italy’s largest yacht building conglomerate. However, each brand maintains its own distinct design identity, engineering approach, and market positioning.
Q3: Is the Ferretti 920 still available new in 2026?
No. The Ferretti 920 was produced from 2017 to 2025 and has since been discontinued as a new-build model. Pre-owned examples remain actively available on the secondary market, with recent sales recorded between approximately $6 million and $7.6 million.
Q4: What is the top speed of the Riva 110 Dolcevita?
The Riva 110 Dolcevita reaches a top speed of 29 knots and cruises comfortably at 25 knots, with a range of approximately 430 nautical miles at 23 knots based on available published data.