Used 2018 Maserati Quattroporte

The 2018 Maserati Quattroporte is the flagship sedan from the fabled Italian automaker. This high-end, full-size executive car competes with rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Porsche Panamera and Audi A8. In reality, those mainstream competitors tout just as much (or more) power and technology, and at a price that’s less than the Maserati’s $100,000-plus starting point. But they can’t touch the Quattroporte’s exclusivity factor, nor can they boast of being powered by a Ferrari-made V6 or V8 engine. Available in rear- or all-wheel drive and with added driver-assist features and potency for 2018, the Quattroporte sedan is as luxurious, sophisticated and powerful as ever. Still, this Maserati’s most coveted characteristic remains simply being a Maserati.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that a Maserati is fast. The Maserati name is pretty much synonymous with performance. And indeed, a Quattroporte is quick, with the benchmark 0-60-mph time arriving anywhere from five seconds flat with the V6 to 4.6 with the V8. These are impressive numbers for sure, but they’re still about a second behind the latest crop of BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche models. We doubt many Maserati Quattroporte owners, however, will be drag racing at every stoplight. Our time in the Quattroporte range, spent mostly on Italian roads, proved rewarding in that this sedan moved gracefully and felt smaller than its size would suggest. And while the new electric power-steering setup doesn’t have quite the direct connection of the older but less efficient hydraulic unit, this new EPS system did well at translating the road surface to the steering wheel. More significantly, this more sophisticated setup enables additional semi-autonomous driving features. The Quattroporte’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist functions indeed took some of the stress out of long and tiring commutes. Lastly, we must admit that our ears loved the aural sensations provided by the Maserati’s powerplants (see below).

The Maserati Quattroporte’s interior is classic yet modern. Swaths of wood and leather envelope an 8.4-inch touch screen that sits prominently in the center of the dash. In this sense, the Maserati doesn’t have the futuristic and tech-forward layout of, say, the latest Porsche Panamera or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but rather sticks to heritage. The rear seat doesn’t feel as expansive as that of some rivals, but like a Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Porsche Panamera you can opt for two individual rear bucket seats in place of the standard 3-across bench. Up front, the seats are plush and envelope a variety of body types. We also like the available power-adjustable pedals, which further assist in finding an optimal driving position.

At over 207 inches in length, the Maserati Quattroporte is every bit a full-size sedan. Its elegant design hides it size well, though. From the convex grille with the floating Maserati trident logo up front to its sensual yet muscular curves in back, you know you’re looking at something special when you see a Maserati Quattroporte. The overall characteristic of the Quattroporte also varies with your choice of the GranSport or GranLusso theme. The GranSport emphasizes a more aggressive tone with a bolder fascia and red brake calipers, while the GranLusso has softer, more luxurious touches.

FERRARI ENGINE SOUNDTRACK
Whether in V6 or V8 form — but especially V8 form — the Ferrari-built engine that powers the Quattroporte is simply enthralling. It is guttural, symphonic and addictive. Unleashing so much horsepower has rarely sounded so beautiful.

BRAND CACHET
“I drive a Maserati.” Go on, say that out loud. Isn’t that nice? We can’t blame you for desiring the ability to say that. Few car brands bring such admiration and provenance.

Aside from the intangibles you get by driving a Maserati, the 2018 Quattroporte includes a decent roster of standard equipment. First and foremost is a Ferrari-made engine, either a V6 in the Quattroporte S or a V8 in the GTS. A base Quattroporte S also includes the Skyhook performance suspension with electronic damping, leather interior with heated front seats, 19-inch wheels, sunroof, LED headlights and blind-spot monitoring. The Maserati’s infotainment system bundles an 8.4-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a 10-speaker harman/kardon audio system.

All-wheel drive is optional on V6 models and helpful if you live in cold-weather areas. Other options include driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, surround-view camera and lane-keep assist. Audiophiles will appreciate the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, while rear-seat passengers can enjoy the 4-zone climate control. For true rear-seat indulgence, opt for the executive-style rear-seat package that swaps the bench for two bucket seats with heating and ventilation. The newly available soft-close doors are another nice feature that automatically makes sure the doors are snug. The Nerissimo Package adds more aggressive, darkened aesthetics to the Quattroporte.

You could say that if Ferrari made a full-size luxury sedan, this would be it. That’s because Ferrari — an Italian cousin to Maserati — builds the V6 and V8 engines used in the Quattroporte. Both are twin-turbo units, with the newly upgraded 3.0-liter V6 now making 424 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on this engine and designated as “Q4.” The 3.8-liter V8 in the Quattroporte GTS model is rear-wheel drive only and makes an ample 523 horsepower. Both engines are connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and neither is particularly fuel-efficient.

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
424 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
428 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg

3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8
523 horsepower @ 6,500-6,800 rpm
479 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000-6,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg