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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  poorly manufactured - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By massimovolo - October 31 - 8:23 am

  i bought this car in 2010 it was used. Im more disappointed in the quality of the equipment. in the same year i was driving from VA to NJ my car broke down halfway there- air condition pump went bad with only 17,000 miles on it. Also I felt a hesitation in cruise control when i was going downhill so I took it to the dealership. They said I had a bad clutch at 17,000 miles also. I am 100% Italian, born in Italy, I am ashamed to say this is an Italian made car. Its already cost me 3,900 for the compressor for the air condition and its going to cost me another $5900 to replace the clutch. I cant believe that 140,000 car has this kind of equipment in it.

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  Class with Flash - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Pennston - October 12 - 4:56 am

  This car gives you the feel of the powerful muscle car going thru the gears, but has the luxury features never imagined available with this type automobile. I have yet to take the car out and not get a double take or the typical shout "What kind of car is that" The performance and features of the car live up to the impact of the look.

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  Zippy - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Stinkerbellorama - July 11 - 3:33 pm

  Yowza, this is a roaring machine for a suburban mom. Thinking I was under the radar in a sedan I get thumbs up from every male between 12-60 years old. Super cushy interior, roomy back seat for passengers, cool analog clock in the dash make this a sylish ride. Beating every souped up honda off the line with a light push of the gas pedal also has its perks. Trunk space seems limited, weird portholes on the side made my mom comment it looks like a Buick (thanks mom). Gas mileage in sport mode is a whopping 9 mpg, 12+ in regular mode, but its not as fun. Best things my kids like are the ability to control the passenger seat from the rear center console. Nicknamed the chauffer button.

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  Better than my Ferrari 360 - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By RussB - February 18 - 11:00 am

  I am sad that my lease is ending on the QP. The car is amazing. I have owned 2 Lambos, 2 Ferarri 360s, an S600, an Arnage, a 745Li, and the QP is the best all around car Ive ever owned. It is built along side the 612 Scaglietti and the minute you drive it you can feel Ferrari in its blood stream. The understated elegance and amazing drive train/suspension make this car my top choice in a crowded field of luxo/performance sedans. Mercedes and BMW simply dont have a clue compared to the Italians!

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  Greatest Car - 2009 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Alex - September 20 - 8:40 pm

  I have 3 lamborghinis, 4 bentleys, 2 rolls royces, 8 ferraris, 3 aston martins, 1 bugatti, a bmw, and a audi r8 because i collect cars. but i have to say my favorite car is my maserati quattroporte.

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  Quattroporte 2006 - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By rf - June 13 - 1:03 pm

  This car is a dream. Gorgeous, comfortable, sporty, smooth riding, great exterior colors with fabulous interior hides. It is better, much better than our Mercedes S class. Its more like an SL in a more comfortable CLS body. Im now an ex-Mercedes-Benz customer (except for my SL).

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  Best of the best - 2011 Maserati Quattroporte
  By darrellj - February 4 - 2:57 am

  I am a car guy - period. Over 44 driving years I have owned every model of Porshe (excluding Panamera) every series BMW including the Ms, 5 Vettes and a few others Ive built. The Sport GTS takes a few miles to learn to drive, and appreciate, but in Sport Mode, Manual shift using paddles it is absolutely excellent in every aspect. Handling - bearing in mind it is a 4400 lb car - is every bit as good if not better than my EX 2011 M3 with competition package, much smoother on corners than any Vette. and definitely not lacking on power. Granted it does not have all the stupid stuff no reasonable person would want (as offered with S550 or 7 series). But talk about attention getting. Wow!

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  Disappointed - 2008 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Robert Schaffuan - November 15 - 3:26 pm

  I am disappointed with this car. I am very glad I set up a lease instead of purchasing it. At first, the car looked stunning in the dealer. I took a test drive, and it drove well on the streets. I wanted to experiment with Maserati. I thought this car was great, until I saw the Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG. My lease was nearing an end, and I already had complaints with the car. The rear seat comfort was not acceptable. I didnt realize this, since I am normally the one driving. Also, the Navigation malfunctioned. The power is lacking compared to my former Mercedes Benz E55 AMG. Overall, I think it was a good experience to try the Maserati, because now I now to stick with Mercedes AMG.

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  Wow! - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Sobrrr - July 17 - 2:06 pm

  I purchased my "Limited Edition Neiman Marcus Quattroporte" from the newly opened Penski Wynn dealership in the new 2.7 billion dollar Wynn Hotel Casino and no less than 500 of the people in the crowd to see the new hotel left the crowd they had been waiting in for hours to come over and check out this fine car. One gentleman had his wife take his picture next to it instead of the hotel! This car is a masterpiece of craftmanship. The interior is laid out very well, the leather is incredible, the guages set up in the right places and easy to read. The available features make for a very luxurious car. The handling is of course superb!

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  A Beast - 2014 Maserati Quattroporte
  By edgebot - May 14 - 5:33 pm

  Lets face it, this car is a beast! Very fast, very responsive, with an exhaust note akin to a deep low growl. A head turner too. So all in all, the Maserati nameplate is valid. But, my Jaguar XJL, at half the price, is more comfortable, spacious, tech forward, and stylish. And this one is really a head turner. So for style, comfort, pizzazz, its the XJL. For pure driving fun, exhilaration, and bragging rights, pick the QP GTS.