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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  Race Car Performance / Luxurious 4 Door - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Paolo Cristoferro - April 14 - 4:23 pm

  This most recent iteration of the Maserati Quattroporte is in a class by itself. The 8 cyl 4.2l dry-sump Maserati engine makes 400 bhp with no turbo or supercharger, far surpassing anything from BMW or Mercedes-Benz. With the engine tucked low and behind the front axle, and the tranny on the rear axel, this 4200 lb luxury sedan handles like an F-16. Its big sticky Bridgestone runflats keep it glued to the road, encouraging you to accelate through ridiculously tight turns. The faster you go, the more stable the ride gets! The sensuous curves of the Pininfarina body put the Quattroporte in sharp contrast to the edgy, techno-bods on the German competitors. Everywhere I go, heads turn, thumbs go up, and tongues hang out. Outstanding car.

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  Amazizizing - 2008 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Mazeraty Finatico - January 14 - 11:13 am

  The Maserati Quattroporte is about the sexiest sedan youll ever see, and its Italian craftsmanship reflects passion. Its styling, by the legendary Pininfarina, shows them all how it should be done, without tricks. The lines are so shapely theyre striking. Its cabin is roomy for a car this low and stylish, but its really all about the quality of its materials, with nine shades of leather and six types of wood to choose from. The controls could and should be simpler, but thats true of all the top luxury cars today.

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  Very Impressed - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By jb7227 - December 16 - 6:13 am

  My 2007 QP has been nothing short of spectacular since the day I picked it up. I am happy I went went w/the DuoSelect. It is one of the best features of this car, smooth and very easy to master. I have owned BMWs, MBs, Jags. Nothing attracts as much attention on the road. It may be one of the most beautiful cars ever built! The engine sounds terrific (it is difficult to keep the revs below 4-5000 rpms on the upshifts, the engine is so willing to sing) and the interior would put a Bentley to shame. Gas mileage has averaged about 14 mpg overall. No problems so far after 2 months and 2800 miles. I would highly recommend this car for anyone who wants a car with real personality.

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  A Not Ready for Prime Time Player - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By murrayr1 - November 4 - 3:56 am

  I have had two, count them two Quattroportes. My first was a disaster. Computer, sensor and transmission failures. The bright shining star has been the dealership and support. They have ALL been wonderful and tried very hard to make things right. BUT, my second Q is currently having the transmission re-built. This car is a beauty and fun to drive. It cannot, however be what Maserati would like it to be, an entry level exotic. I dont know what they are smoking on the other side but someone needs to do some serious re-thinking about quality control in a 100k car. What I will do? Ball is in Maseratis court to make me real happy. For now, this is not a prime time player.

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  Maserati QP is a Four Door Ferrari - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Limacs - October 13 - 5:23 am

  I recently purchased the fully loaded Executive GT Duoselect QP by Maserati. To me, QP is a Four Door Ferrari. Its got all the power it has in a 8 cylinder ferrari plus more interior space. It rockets to 60mph in just 5.2 seconds and it has the most comfortable frictionless left and right turns you can make with any upscale sedans. Its got the sexiest engine noise you will ever hear in any car (since ferrari makes Maserati) and has brembo brakes that wont let you down when you really need it. The exterior design of QP is absolutely beautiful and it turn heads wherever you go. The only problem I have is the cabin noise. It is not as quite a Lexus or Merc.

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  The car for real enthusiasts - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By LAFORZAGOP - August 20 - 1:26 pm

  This car is sick. My dad bought his this July after driving the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S500, S55 AMG, BMW 745Li, and Jaguar XJR. Of these cars the Maserati is definately the most special. It looks like nothing on the road and people will constantly stare and give appeasing gestures. It drives like a dream. It corners absolutely ridiculouslt for a 5,000 lb. + four door sedan. In fact I think it handles better than my Dads heavily modded Porsche C4. After driving this car I just dont think its possible to go back to the mass produced German and British cars. It makes you feel special and you will find yourself just going outside just to look at it. This is by far the best designed sedan on market today.

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  Sport GTs Rock! - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By SammySlim1 - March 8 - 8:00 am

  I traded in my 2006 Duoselect QP for this 2007 Sport GT automatic, and it is fantastic! Smoother, quieter, even better inside and out. Love the 20-inch wheels, the suspension and gearing in sport mode, and my wife loves the full automatic. This car gets lots of attention - my wife reports she gets more attention in this car than out of it! Handles perfectly, tremendous power and responsiveness in both automatic and manual modes. I put over 30,000 miles on my 2006 and plan to drive this car daily as well - the more you drive these, the more reliable they are. These cars are meant to be driven. Love this car!

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  Quattroporte 2014 - 2014 Maserati Quattroporte
  By carfreak19 - March 5 - 5:40 pm

  Very good car. Great performance, interior and exterior design, very safe, and fun to drive.

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  If looks really were everything . . . - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Angry but Hopeful - February 7 - 10:23 am

  Gorgeous sedan over a sports car chassis. Ive owned it 20 days; its been in the shop 6 of those. Of 530 miles since delivery, 162 miles (31%) are repair-related (and that will increase because its at the dealer again). Im having horrible flashbacks to my gorgeous 92 Jaguar VandenPlas. Apparently the notion of competitive benchmarking isnt known in this company; it lacks some features that have been standard in other luxury cars for a decade. Im praying that the problems will cease because, when Ive been able to drive it, its a really fun car to drive--and I dont mind the head-turning effects, either! (Im old enough to know its the car, not me, causing the head- turning.)

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  Wow! - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By RAF - November 30 - 7:53 pm

  Unquestionably this is a car that makes driving more fun than I imagined it could be. It requires more involvement than most and rewards accordingly. Thus far, its reliability has been decidedly un-Italian, but everything else is decidedly so.