Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Maserati Quattroporte review

If you want a sporty limousine, the Maserati Quattroporte offers something distinctly different

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

Price
£114,100 to £142,840
  • Sharp handling, blistering performance, excellent interior
  • High running costs, expensive to buy, polarising styling
Find your Maserati Quattroporte
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

The Maserati Quattroporte sounds terrifically exotic, and the literal English translation is 'four-door'. But just like the name, the car itself adds a thick dollop of Italian verve to the four-door limousine formula.

It has eye-catching, sporty looks, although not everyone will be a fan of the exterior styling. Inside though, the big Italian delivers elegant design and enough luxury and opulence to pamper even the most demanding captain of industry.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The petrol engines provide staggering performance to rival sporty German limos, but sadly the chassis isn’t a match for them. There is a diesel, too, and while it doesn’t have the same magic or charm as the petrol models, it makes more financial sense and is almost as engaging. 

In some ways the Maserati Quattroporte is a rapid grand touring sports car that just happens to be wrapped in a low-slung limousine-style body. It's the latest in a long line of Quattroporte models that have been built by the firm from Modena, Italy, all of which have combined sports car handling with upmarket four-seater luxury.

The original Quattroporte was launched in 1963 as a standalone model, and its name is the Italian for 'four-door' - it's difficult to imagine a British firm like Aston Martin or Jaguar building a car simply called Fourdoor...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Best luxury cars to buy now

The Quattroporte was a stylish rear-wheel drive saloon capable of 124mph, but the Quattroporte II was less successful. It arrived in 1976 at the height of the oil crisis, while Maserati's then-owner Citroen based the second version on an extended Citroen SM platform, so it was front-wheel drive and had hydropneumatic suspension. It wasn't a success, with only 13 built, and ultimately bankrupted the company.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The third Quattroporte arrived in 1979 and went back to the Mk1's front engine V8/rear-drive layout, and had angular styling that was popular at the time. It remained on sale for a decade. The Mk4 from 1994 was a radical departure, as it shrank from being a Mercedes S-Class rival to an alternative to the BMW M5 and Mercedes E55 AMG.

In 1997 Ferrari took a stake in Maserati, and under its guidance, the Quattroporte returned to the limo class for the Mk5 model. All versions were powered by a Ferrari-developed V8, while the car went through a series of updates to boost luxury and performance throughout its production run, from 2003-2012.

The sixth generation Quattroporte arrived in 2013, and it's larger, lighter and more efficient than the car it replaced. One major change for this generation is the expansion in engine options. Not only is there a Ferrari-developed twin-turbo V8, but there's also a twin-turbo V6 petrol and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel. All three engines come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

There was an update to the range in 2016, with new technology on-board borrowed from the newly launched Levante SUV, while the engines gained improved efficiency. The range was also revised to include two new trims. There's the basic 3.0 Diesel and 3.0 V6 S petrol models, while you can upgrade to GranLusso or GranSport trims. The V8 GTS comes in either GranLusso or GranSport trim as standard. Prices start from just over £70,000 and rise to £116,000, although you can go above and beyond that with options.

Rivals for the Maserati Quattroporte are varied, but mostly sporting. The new Porsche Panamera trades on sporting luxury, while the Jaguar XJ and Mercedes S-Class are offered in sporty variants. The BMW 7 Series is a technological showcase, while the Tesla Model S is an intriguing alternative choice. Other models to consider include the Audi S8 and Aston Martin Rapide S.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Quattroporte

New Maserati Quattroporte luxury four-door electric car now due in 2028
Maserati Quattroporte - front (watermarked)
News
30 Jan 2024

New Maserati Quattroporte luxury four-door electric car now due in 2028

The all-electric saloon has been delayed while Maserati claims it’s still “committed 100%” to electrification
New Maserati MC Edition trim launched for Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte
Maserati MC Edition - Ghibli
News
3 Feb 2022

New Maserati MC Edition trim launched for Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte

Built to celebrate the firm's racing history, each Maserati MC Edition is offered with a V8-engine
New Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 2021 review
Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo - front
Road tests
29 Apr 2021

New Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 2021 review

The new Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo is the fastest standard production car the famous Italian brand has ever produced
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo launched with 572bhp
News
10 Aug 2020

New Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo launched with 572bhp

Maserati has shoehorned a 572bhp 3.8-litre V8 engine under the bonnet of its flag-bearing Quattroporte limousine
Refreshed Maserati Quattroporte spied testing
News
21 Apr 2020

Refreshed Maserati Quattroporte spied testing

Maserati Quattroporte to get minor tweaks in facelift before an all-new model takes its place in 2022
New Maserati Quattroporte Diesel 2016 review
Maserati Quattroporte Diesel 2016 - front tracking 4
Road tests
24 Aug 2016

New Maserati Quattroporte Diesel 2016 review

Can the new Maserati Quattroporte Diesel compete with the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series in the executive class?
2016 Maserati Quattroporte gets styling tweaks and new trims
Maserati Quattroporte 2016 - twin
News
13 Jun 2016

2016 Maserati Quattroporte gets styling tweaks and new trims

GranLusso and GranSport trim levels have been introduced to the facelifted Maserati Quattroporte saloon car’s range
Maserati Quattroporte vs luxury diesel rivals
Car group tests
6 May 2014

Maserati Quattroporte vs luxury diesel rivals

We see if new Maserati Quattroporte Diesel deserves a place at the top of the luxury car pile as it battles Porsche and BMW
Maserati Quattroporte GTS 2014 review
Maserati Quattroporte GTS front
Road tests
7 Feb 2014

Maserati Quattroporte GTS 2014 review

Has high-speed Maserati Quattroporte limo got what it takes to beat the Jaguar XJR and S63 AMG?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Maserati Quattroporte S
Maserati Quattroporte S front tracking
Road tests
9 May 2013

Maserati Quattroporte S

We get behind the wheel of the all-new 405bhp Maserati Quattroporte S, ahead of its launch in July
Maserati Quattroporte review
Maserati Quattroporte video review
Videos
2 Jan 2013

Maserati Quattroporte review

Watch our video review of the all-new Maserati Quattroporte as it goes on sale in the UK
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati Quattroporte front tracking
Road tests
7 Dec 2012

New Maserati Quattroporte

We drive the all-new Maserati Quattroporte, which gets a 523bhp V8 and a £100,000 price tag
Maserati Quattroporte S
Maserati Quattroporte s
Road tests
15 Jul 2008

Maserati Quattroporte S

Maserati saloon takes V8 and styling tweaks from GranTurismo.
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
Maserati static
Road tests
12 Nov 2007

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

The Italian firm has sharpened the chassis of its flagship saloon. We get to grips with the new GT S.
Maserati Quattroporte (2004-2012) review
Maserati Quattroporte
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

Maserati Quattroporte (2004-2012) review

Skip advert
Advertisement
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT
Front view of Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT
Road tests
5 Apr 2006

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT

Style and panache are synonymous with Italian products, but does the new Maserati Quattroporte follow suit?
Flawed dual in Maserati crown
Road tests
27 Jan 2004

Flawed dual in Maserati crown

Buying a Maserati has always been an emotional decision - it's a matter of the heart versus the head. Although very few car makers produce models that…