Overview & Reviews

Certain things just sound sexier in other languages, like fancy French perfumes labeled "eau de toilette" and fancy Italian "four-door" luxury sedans called "Quattroporte." But the Maserati Quattroporte is more than a deceptively sexy name; it's a beautiful, performance-oriented Italian luxury car endowed with ample power, sharp handling and two impressive transmissions that make it the closest thing you can get to a Ferrari sedan. The fact that Maserati and Ferrari are sister companies make that more than just a metaphor.

Despite weighing about 4,400 pounds, the Maserati Quattroporte manages to feel like a car half its size with well-weighted steering, limited body roll and a captivating eagerness to change direction. Contributing to this is Maserati's "Skyhook" adjustable suspension, controlled by a button on the dash. Skyhook can be set to the more comfortable "Normal" mode or the noticeably firmer "Sport" setting -- both calibrated on the supple side on the Automatic model to better suit American tastes.

The Maserati Quattroporte isn't the cheapest or fastest performance luxury sedan on the block, but if you like to drive and enjoy ample doses of Italian character, this sexy four-door will speak to you like few other four-doors can.

Current Maserati Quattroporte

The Maserati Quattroporte is a performance luxury sedan offered in base, S and Sport GT S trims. All are impeccably well equipped, but the latter two get a number of sport-oriented upgrades including adjustable suspension dampers (S), fixed sport-tuned dampers (GT S), bigger wheels and brakes, and unique trim. However, the most notable difference is the upper trims' 4.7-liter V8 that produces 425 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque -- the base Quattroporte has a 4.2-liter V8 with 400 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. Both come only with a six-speed automatic transmission that features manual-override shift paddles.

As a low-volume, high-end luxury car, the Maserati Quattroporte can be customized to meet individual needs with a variety of cabin trims and leather colors that can be mixed and matched. Seating is comfortable for touring and tailored for four courtesy of the rear seat's aggressive contours. The handsome dash and console include a touchscreen navigation and multimedia interface. All the modern electronic goodies expected from a high-end luxury sedan (iPod interface, surround-sound audio, digital music storage, satellite radio) are also present.

Most consumers will be best served by the base Quattroporte, which is hardly "base." It still provides more athletic handling than virtually all competitors, while treating its owner to an opulent driving environment. For driving enthusiasts with Ferrari dreams but sedan realities, the S and GT S should be pure automotive nirvana.

Used Maserati Quattroporte Models

After a decade's absence, the latest Maserati Quattroporte debuted for the 2005 model year with a single transmission -- the quirky five-speed automated manual. Dubbed DuoSelect, its automatic mode tended to shift unevenly in traffic and its operation was a bit unorthodox. Even when you were using the paddle shifters to change gears yourself, the car had the tendency to herk and jerk around at low speeds. As such, it didn't suit many American luxury car buyers. The present six-speed automatic became an option for 2007, while it became the lone transmission the following year when DuoSelect was discontinued. This change is the most important factor when considering a Quattroporte.

However, there were other changes. There was originally only one trim level with many optional features that would later become standard. This Quattroporte featured a 395-hp 4.2-liter V8 attached to DuoSelect. For 2006, the lineup was expanded to include the Sport GT and top-of-the-line Executive GT trim levels. Performance hardware like 20-inch wheels, better brakes and sport-tuned DuoSelect were included with the Sport GT, while the Executive GT was essentially Maserati's luxury limo with items like Alcantara upholstery and massaging front seats. All trims were available with DuoSelect and the traditional automatic for '07. The latter featured a different grille and center console design, along with 9 more lb-ft of torque from the 4.2-liter V8 (which increased to 400 hp in all models). For '08, the Sport GT became the Sport GT S.

The biggest changes thus far occurred for 2009 when the current trim and engine lineup debuted. Exterior styling was also tweaked with revised headlights, a new grille and taillights -- although none are so drastic that they would dissuade you from an earlier Maserati Quattroporte. The Bose touchscreen multimedia system might, though, since the earlier system for controlling the navigation and stereo systems was outdated, ergonomically poor and very button-happy.

User Reviews:

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  Needs Design Help - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By cucuza - December 13 - 1:46 pm

  The car is beautiful...probably the most beautiful sedan out there. However, the dealership we use is awful. They have no mechanics for the car. Once I had an appointment and they told me that their mechanics were at the races and could not take care of my car. It was the November 2006 at Homestead Speedway. All American cars...go figure. The mechanics were more important than someone who paid $130,000 for her car. The car has a tire error. If you u-turn tightly, the tire gets slashed by the body. The 2005 transmission take time to pickup. Hopefully they perfected it. The 6-CD changer rattles like crazy. The car is meant to be driven on long trips/highway, not the city. It is a gorgeous car though.

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  The Perfect Italian Saloon - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Briik - November 8 - 1:06 am

  Title says it all. This car makes me feel like the Godfather every time I drive it. The styling, inside and out, is a perfect creation by the masters at Pininfarina. The seats alone are like $10k Italian furniture pieces! The engine is wonderfully powerful, with a huge torque curve maxing-out at over 7000RPM. The SOUND from this car is totally out of this world and isnt comparable to the noise of any other 4-door on the planet. All of the seats are adjustable with massive leg and head room (Im 65" tall and 250lbs and I fit perfectly). Only complaint is that the head-rests on the seats dont raise up high enough for me. Service is great in general, price for the work is exotic tho.

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  Worst Quality EVER - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By forspam - October 15 - 2:43 pm

  Bought with 9,000 miles and 12 months left on warranty. More time with Ferrari/Maserati Houston than driving. Throw-out bearing/seals warranty replaced but clutch plate not covered ($1000 part). Software problems=failed plugs ($1000). Failure both fuel pumps ($3,500). Door mechanism failure, plus numerous trips to get transmission software upgrades. Car has total 15,000 miles on odometer. Even the most trivial parts are special order from Italy. I will NEVER buy an Italian car again.

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  if youre tall - 2009 Maserati Quattroporte
  By anthony - August 4 - 12:26 am

  we all know the pros- stylish, great sound, exotic, head turner etc... however, im 63 230 and its too tight in the driver seat. my legs feel like they are held too close together and i need the seat to extend further back. cant keep it, but the grand turismo fits much better.

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  Bad news - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By philr43 - June 11 - 5:53 pm

  It is with great disappointment that I have to report that a car I have enjoyed greatly for two and a half years was shown upon its 62500 mile service to be suffering from very severe chassis corrosion. The Masarati Quatroporte 2007 is a brilliantly engineered and great looking car but sadly of inferior build quality. Having been so impressed prior to this service inspection I was ready to put in an order for the new Ghibli Maserati however now some assurance that build quality has improved is necessary, also I expect other owners to cars of similar age to mine to be advised to have a inspection done. This may catch corrosion in time and preclude the great expense of chassis replacement.

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  Not Ready for Prime-Time Player - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Murrayr1 - September 9 - 3:26 pm

  I may be the only person in the US to own two Maserati Quattroportes. My first had multiple problems that included sensors, transmission and finally the main computer; all in the first three months of ownership. OK, anything is possible with a new model, right? Maserati of NA gave me a new one and I had the transmission re-built (clutch and throw-out bearing) same as the first. The dealer bent over backward to help. Corporate gave me a song and dance about wanting to study my car and then sold it without disclosing the problems. Beware, the "clutch is a wear item", 2500 to replace (they did mine free due to 3k miles) and , "good for 20k mi" (srvce mgr). Not disclosed.

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  Sooo Pretty - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Chris M - May 7 - 2:26 pm

  This car is a gem. Its great to see a business class sedan done in such a sporty and elegant style. Elegant and sleek is the design. I fell in love with it when I first saw it.

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  Fun and Fast - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By bruce bordelon - February 18 - 11:46 pm

  This car is very interesting to drive. The suspension and handling feel like you are on rails and the car is drop dead gorgeous.

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  How to buy a Maserati - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By roman615 - July 8 - 7:50 am

  Just bought a 2005 Maserati. One of the best cars ever! Styling is amazing! Drives like a dream. So many people say bad things about this car and they may very well be true. However, buy a low mileage older car where the kinks are already worked out and you get a Ferrari for the price of a Ford. Will it cost more to maintain? Sure. But the driving experience is worth every penny! Mine has 38K miles and there are a few idiosyncrasies but I wouldnt trade it for anything. Say what you will but I will be smiling from ear to ear as I pass your BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or whatever. If you are wanting a true enthusiasts car that looks as good as it drives, this is it!

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  Poor Quality - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By voomvoom1977 - June 13 - 4:58 pm

  Im having the hardest time figuring out why I $113k car is worst than my 92 chevy cavalier. This car has been in the shop more than I can remember. TOO many problems for a luxury car. Computer sensors/transmission failures/alarm malfunctions/clutch/battery/engine failure systems problems just to name a few. I will NEVER buy another.