2022 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo

The high price of the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo will unfortunately keep it at a disadvantage compared to its German competitors. Without any options, the MSRP is $145,900. That number excludes a destination charge of $1,995 in the USA.

The faster BMW 750i xDrive will cost you $103,000, or for just a little more, you can drive off in the big daddy M760i xDrive with a twin-turbo V12 at $157,800. The new Mercedes S580 costs $116,300 or, if you're really after a sporty and spacious sedan, a BMW M5 will annihilate the Trofeo and goes for $103,500. Essentially, you'd have to be a pretty big Maserati fan as there are many cheaper and more accomplished options.

Sending power to the rear wheels only, the Quattroporte Trofeo promises a purer and more old-school approach than its unruffled, AWD contemporaries. And indeed, it's all too easy to unsettle the rear end with a prod on the loud pedal, especially when hooked up to Corsa mode, which reduces the interference of the stability and traction control systems. Combined with direct steering, this can make the Trofeo rewarding to drive in the hands of a skilled driver, although you'll remain aware of its considerable size and weight. It's not as sharp of a tool as high-performance AMG and M sedans but it does feel athletic for its size.

On smooth roads, the Skyhook shock absorbers, double-wishbone front suspension, and multi-link arrangement at the back do a decent job of fulfilling the luxury car brief, especially in its normal driving mode where it is quite floaty. Wind and road noise are also kept from disrupting the calm in the cabin. Sport mode firms things without ruining the comfort. That said, the ride around town in this sport sedan isn't quite as polished as it would be in an S-Class.

Overall, the RWD Quattroporte Trofeo provides an admirable balance between driving enjoyment and relaxed cruising, without setting new benchmarks in either area. Chances are, unless you've driven it back to back with one of its rivals, you'll walk away impressed by the capable Trofeo.

Last year's styling tweaks, a 580-horsepower V8, and upgraded in-cabin technology can't entirely conceal the wrinkles of the Quattroporte sedan, especially now that a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is here. But, like so many other Italian vehicles, we admire the Quattroporte Trofeo's willingness to do things differently. In Corsa mode, with the windows down so you can properly hear that exhaust note, and with every flick of the delightful paddle shifters, the Trofeo feels like a more engaging vehicle than an equivalent Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. It's also easier on the eye than all of them. But at close to $150,000, it's impossible to look past the sometimes imperfect ride, the average quality of specific interior components, and the actual performance that doesn't match its rivals unless you're willing to go beyond 155 mph. The Quattroporte Trofeo doesn't make a lot of sense as a purchasing decision, and yet, something tells us that living with it every day won't lead to a case of buyer's remorse.

The biggest decision you'll have to make is whether it's worth choosing the Trofeo over one of its more affordable German rivals. Assuming you have decided to take the plunge, you may as well throw in the Bowers & Wilkins sound system and the four-zone climate control system, two options that will benefit both front and rear occupants. The Bianco Alpi metallic paint is gorgeous and the Rosso/Nero interior in Pieno Fiore natural leather guarantees attention. In total, our build comes to $151,350, not including the destination fee.

The smaller Maserati Ghibli offers Italian flair in a four-door sedan package but at a much lower price. The base Ghibli costs $78,000, not far from half the price of the Quattroporte Trofeo, and will reach 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. For just over $85k, the Ghibli Modena Q4 introduces an AWD system and 424 hp, and it's just half a second off the pace of the Quattroporte up to 60 mph. Of course, the Ghibli Trofeo has the same drivetrain as the Quattroporte Trofeo, but it's lighter, reaching 60 mph in four seconds flat. It's also a whopping $33,200 cheaper. Both cars have similar strengths and weaknesses; they're quick but not as quick as rivals, each has a similar infotainment system, and both lack the polish of the Germans. You'll go further on a tank of fuel in the Ghibli as its lighter weight makes it more efficient. However, the Quattroporte has more rear-seat space so is a better option for carrying anyone in the back. Being in a segment above, it's also a bit more comfortable than the Ghibli. There's no winner or loser here - it just depends on whether you want your Maserati sedan to be larger and more spacious, or smaller and at a much lower price.

As much as the latest Panamera is a more resolved design than the previous-generation model, it's still no match for the stunning Quattroporte. Immediately, then, the Trofeo springs into the lead. But that lead is mightily short-lived because the Porsche is a better-engineered vehicle in almost every aspect. Not only does the Panamera ride comfortably, but it's agile and sharp in a way that few other sedans of this size can match, and that includes the Maserati. While the Porsche could never be described as cheap, the Panamera GTS starts at over $15,000 less than the Trofeo and dynamically, it does pretty much everything better. It will reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and it is a joy to pilot, in part thanks to its fast PDK transmission. The Porsche also has a much more modern interior that's better built, although the Quattroporte is better for five occupants. One big downside is that Porsche charges extra for safety features that are standard on the Maserati. Despite this, we'd take the more balanced Panamera and save a picture of the stunning Quattroporte as our desktop background.