2019 Maserati Quattroporte Review: The Don
Quattroporte, meaning four-door, is the Italian word for luxury and elegance if the Maserati luxury sedan is anything to go by. It's big, it's comfortable, and it's powerful. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is standard with 424 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive is also available in place of the standard rear-wheel-drive setup, but the top GTS trim keeps the driving experience pure with 523 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels. This comes from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, with both engines assembled in Ferrari's plant in Modena. Sadly, Maserati does a lot of trading on its heritage and its affiliation with Ferrari, while some cheaper Fiat Chrysler parts still make their way into the cabin.
Best Deals on 2019 Maserati Quattroporte
Quattroporte Exterior
The Quattroporte has a sharklike appearance that is highlighted by its concave grille with vertical vanes. If the grille is the mouth of the shark, the LED headlights are the eyes while the three vents on the fender are the gills. A wavy beltline swoops up at the C-pillar, on which the famous Maserati trident resides. At the rear, a quad-exit exhaust features along with LED taillights and some chrome brightwork. 19-inch wheels are standard on the base model, but 20- and 21-inch wheels can be fitted if you prefer.
Dimensions
Most measurements and dimensions are standard across the range. Length measures an expansive 207.2 inches from end to end, with a wheelbase of 124.8 inches. Width excluding the mirrors measures 76.7 inches, with height at 58.3 inches. The variations lie in curb weights, with the base S model starting at 4,100 pounds. The all-wheel-drive SQ4 starts at 4,232 lbs, while the top GTS trim has a base curb weight of 4,188 lbs.
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
207.2 in | 124.8 in | 58.3 in | 76.7 in | 64.3 in | 64.8 in | 4,101.0 lbs |
Exterior Colors
The base Quattroporte S is available in two non-metallic colors: Bianco and Nero. Four no-cost metallic options, namely Nero Ribelle, Grigio, Blu Passione, and Rosso Folgore are also available. Grigio Maratea costs $925 while Bianco Alpi and the new Blu Nobile costs $2,950. The GTS variants get the same colors too. As standard, the GTS has red brake calipers, but these can be swapped for black or blue ($300), or Matte Red Anodized for $2,190.
Quattroporte Performance
For continent-crushing power, the fastest model in the range is the GTS. It is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 523 hp and the same figure of torque. This model is capable of getting from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and has a lofty top speed of 193 mph. Non-GTS variants get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces an impressive 424 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque in all configurations. The all-wheel-drive Q4 variant is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in a fractionally slower 4.8 seconds, while the rear-wheel-drive model manages the sprint in five seconds flat. Top speed on the S models is the same whichever drivetrain you opt for, at 179 mph.
Regardless of which variant you go for, acceleration is smooth and swift, and breaking the speed limit is a serene experience for the most part, although the GTS is noticeably more raw and sounds incredible. Nevertheless, the Quattroporte is not an S 63 in an Italian suit. Rather, these vehicles are about comfort and high-speed grand touring, and as a four-door GT, the Quattroporte is highly impressive.
Engine and Transmission
The base model of the Quattroporte is fitted with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that is assembled in Ferrari's Modena factory. It produces 424 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. This power is sent through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission that is sublime. It's responsive, smooth, and intelligent, although the engine is arguably less refined. It's still a good power plant, but it doesn't get up and go in the way that you'd expect something with a Ferrari association to.
The GTS variant is better in this regard, providing better throttle response and a greater willingness to rev, but it is still more about getting you to illegal speeds swiftly than about scaring you while doing so. If you adjust the driving modes to their most aggressive, the throttle response does sharpen considerably, and the gearshifts get even quicker too.
Handling and Driving Impressions
As we've touched on above, the Maserati Quattroporte is the kind of car that you use for extended road trips, rather than as a racecar for the road. Its suspension is adaptive, but even in its most jarring setting, it's still tolerable for daily use. This is a car that you can have fun with in the corners, particularly if you opt for a rear-wheel-drive model, but the comfort-biased nature of the car means that you will experience body roll in tight turns. The steering is communicative, however, and it's easy to interpret what the front wheels are doing through the wheel. Small and large bumps alike do little to unsettle this behemoth, but the weight has its drawbacks in terms of understeer, especially with the all-wheel-drive variants. It's not excessive, but it is there. For the most part, the Quattroporte is an engaging drive, but its weight and relative lack of power compared to most rivals mean that it, as it has done for some time now, is more of a brand that and a perceived lifestyle that you're buying into than a car with racing heritage that you're purchasing. The only part of the car that is truly brilliant in terms of outright performance is the braking system, which feels natural and brings the car to a dead stop with ease.
Quattroporte Gas Mileage
The Quattroporte's three different configurations return slightly varying gas mileage figures. The base Quattroporte S, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, returns EPA estimates of 17/24/19 mpg, while the all-wheel-drive S Q4 returns figures of 16/23/18 mpg. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 is the worst, returning 15/22/17 mpg. Each model gets a 21.1-gallon gas tank, thus allowing the base model to have a mixed range of around 400 miles.
Quattroporte Interior
The Quattroporte's spacious interior is arguably its biggest letdown. It's swathed in beautiful leather with perfect stitching, and you can have a choice of carbon fiber, rare wood, and other expensive materials. Yet much of the switchgear comes from vanilla everyday cars in the Fiat Chrysler range, which detracts from the overall experience and dulls the charm somewhat. The infotainment system is also borrowed, but it's a good thing in this instance, as it works well and gets Maserati-specific graphics. In the front, 12-way power-adjustable heated seats are standard, while the rear has the option of executive seating for ultimate luxury.
Seating and Interior Space
In standard configuration, the Maserati Quattroporte seats five individuals, with reasonable headroom and legroom for all but the rear middle passenger who has to contend with a hump that decreases legroom. GranLusso variants have the option of executive rear seating, which replaces the central seat with a console for armrests, charging, and storage. In the front, the standard 12-way seats are impressive in terms of comfort and support, as well as creating a good position with good visibility all around for the driver. Ingress and egress are respectable too, with large door openings aiding access.
Interior Colors and Materials
Numerous choices are available for those wanting to customize the interior of the Maserati, availability of certain finishes is trim dependent. As standard, you get Nero leather with contrast stitching, but other colors are available too. These include Cuoio, Sabbia, and Rosso. Nero and Rosso leather are available with various contrasting stitching colors too. The dash can also be upholstered in a choice of three leather colors, and the headliner can be had in Alcantara. The trim inserts come in High Gloss Piano Black wood as standard, but Ebano wood trim can be added for $390, or carbon fiber can be specced for $1,490. GranLusso variants get availability to a unique Zegna silk and leather package with quilted inserts and more color choices. These models also get unique wood options that can cost as much as $1,590, while the GTS variants get perforated leather as standard.
Quattroporte Trunk and Cargo Space
The Quattroporte has a reasonable trunk with a volume of 18.7 cubic feet, enough for luggage for four, or even five if you pack light.
In the cabin, the door pockets are fairly decent, with enough space for a wallet and some keys. The rear folding armrest offers up a pair of cupholders, while the front has an air-conditioned center armrest bin and another pair of cupholders. The center console also has a bin for your phone, while an average-sized glovebox can contain overflow items.
Quattroporte Infotainment and Features
Features
The Maserati Quattroporte is impressively equipped in standard form, with heated power-folding mirrors, heated 12-way power-adjustable seats, a sunroof, power rear window sunshades, ambient lighting, adaptive LED auto headlights with auto high beams, an air-conditioned center armrest, soft-close doors, heated washer nozzles, dual-zone climate control, and a dashtop clock. Rain-sensing wipers, a limited-slip differential, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, a seven-inch driver display, parking sensors, keyless entry, remote start, and a hands-free power trunk are all included too. Push-button start, highway assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, and stop-and-go functions are also fitted. The options list includes a heated steering wheel, quad-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats all round, and power-adjustable pedals.
Infotainment
The infotainment system fitted to each Quattroporte is essentially FCA's Uconnect system with unique graphics and styling. The touchscreen is 8.4 inches in size and boasts Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connectivity for Bluetooth, USB, and an aux jack. The system works well and responds quickly to inputs through either the screen, the center console's rotary knob, or the steering functions. Navigation is standard along with SiriusXM satellite radio too, and the speakers are from an excellent ten-speaker Harman Kardon setup, while a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins upgrade is also available.
Quattroporte Problems and Reliability
Thus far, the 2019 model of the Maserati Quattroporte has been free of recalls. However, the 2018 had one in May of the same year, and an earlier recall in December of 2017. The first recall was for a fuel leak in the engine bay, while the later recall was for incomplete subframe welds that may fracture.
A limited and powertrain warranty covers the Quattroporte for the first four years or 50,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first, but no complimentary scheduled maintenance is offered.
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles |
Quattroporte Safety
Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has rated the Quattroporte, although that is not uncommon at this price level. With numerous standard safety features, however, it would likely come out with a good score from either agency.
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Key Safety Features
The Maserati Quattroporte features a wealth of safety features that are standard on each model, among which are adaptive LED headlights with auto high beams, a rearview camera and dynamic guidelines, parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers. More advanced safety features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist with highway assist, as well as available forward-collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go and traffic sign recognition. In terms of airbags, the Quattroporte is fitted with frontal, side-impact, overhead, and knee airbags.
Verdict: Is the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte A Good car?
The Maserati Quattroporte is a surprisingly agile car with an impressive level of communication from the steering wheel and brake pedal. In its sportiest setting, throttle response is also very sharp. In more relaxed driving, it's got a terrific suspension setup that insulates occupants from road imperfections too. However, like all Maserati products of late, the Quattroporte suffers from obvious parts sharing and aging that seems to characterize the brand lately. You still get a beautifully luxurious interior and plenty of premium materials, along with a good choice of engines, but the competition has moved on. When the likes of the Porsche Panamera and others offer more technology, better handling, and stronger engines, it may be time to accept that your days in the spotlight are turning into your twilight hours. The Quattroporte is not a bad car, but everyone makes better alternatives.
What's the Price of the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte?
The base Quattroporte S starts at $107,980, before a $1,995 destination charge. The Quattroporte S GranLusso starts at $114,980, while the GranSport shares the same base price as the GranLusso.
The all-wheel-drive Q4 versions start at $113,680, with the GranLusso and GranSport variants attracting a sticker price of $120,780.
The V8 GTS variants are only available as the GranLusso, at $138,980, and the GranSport, at the same price. Fully loaded, you can expect to pay around $155,000.
2019 Maserati Quattroporte Models
The Quattroporte range is available in eight different configurations: S, S GranLusso, S GranSport, S Q4, S Q4 GranLusso, S Q4 GranSport, GTS GranLusso, and GTS GranSport.
The base model is the S, and this comes fitted with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 424 hp, 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights with auto high beams, a sunroof, adaptive suspension, heated 12-way power front seats, an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a ten-speaker Harman Kardon audio setup, and dual-zone climate control.
Next, the S GranLusso builds on the base model by adding exclusive Ermenegildo Zegna silk and leather upholstery, as well as heated and ventilated front seats and 20-inch wheels. Various chrome additions are made to the outside too.
The GranSport is similar to the base model, but has a unique front and rear fascia and gloss red brake calipers, hiding behind unique 20-inch wheels. Its seats are also sportier in design, and the executive rear seats that are optional on the GranLusso are not available here.
On the S Q4, all-wheel-drive is standard and it gains some additional stock-fitted features, including heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. It also gets adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
GranLusso versions of the S Q4 are largely the same as the RWD variant, with heated and ventilated front seats, silk and leather upholstery, and the other aesthetic features of the model.
Like the GranLusso, the GranSport features aesthetic changes and sport seats in front, but is largely similar to the base model.
GTS models change a considerable amount, with the GTS GranLusso earning the same leather and silk upholstery as other GL models, along with ventilated front seats, heated rears, power-adjustable pedals, and of course, a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp.
The GTS GranSport is largely the same, but with sportier design elements that include perforated leather, unique seats, and distinct fascias at the front and the rear.
Additional Packages
Various packages and standalone options are available for the Quattroporte, one of which is a Bowers $ Wilkins 15-speaker sound system upgrade that costs $1,990 on the base model. Four-zone climate control is also available here and costs $1,490. GranLusso variants have the option of executive rear seats that reduce capacity to four individuals. This costs $3,990. The GTS GranSport is the raciest model in the lineup and can be had with an interior carbon fiber package. This gives you paddle shifters, door sills, a steering wheel, and interior trim finished in carbon fiber. This package costs $2,670.
What Maserati Quattroporte Model Should I Buy?
All Quattroporte models are lavishly appointed and pretty quick, but we'd opt for one of the GranLusso variants. Since fuel economy isn't affected too much, we'd also get a GTS with its 523-hp twin-turbo V8. This gives you a top speed of 193 mph along with standard features like Zegna silk and leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 20-inch wheels, and the full complement of safety features that includes adaptive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and traffic sign recognition, and forward-collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, as well as the option of individual rear seats.
2019 Maserati Quattroporte Comparisons
2019 Maserati Quattroporte vs Maserati Ghibli
The Ghibli is the Quattroporte's little 5-Series rival. It starts at a base price of $74,980 and also gets a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in the base model. Here, however, it only produces 345 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, versus the Quattroporte's 424 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. Much like the QP, the Ghibli is also guilty of scrounging from the lesser brands in the Fiat Chrysler group's parts bins, but it also gets impressive performance, good steering feel, and that coveted badge. For us, we feel that the Quattroporte is certainly better equipped and is more premium than its little brother but that it's also unnecessarily large. If the Maserati product offering was truly special, it would be easier to whittle down the differences across the range, but since the littler Maserati is just as comfortable while being more chuckable, we'd opt for the cheaper variant.
2019 Maserati Quattroporte vs Porsche Panamera
Although the Quattroporte's looks can be polarizing, they don't hold a candle to the abomination that is the Porsche Panamera. However, while Maserati gets by on its badge, Porsche doesn't rest on its laurels. Thus, the Panamera is an excellent GT car that is also fun to drive, and, thanks to its hatchback design and extensive array of customization options, it's both more practical and arguably just as, if not more luxurious, than the Italian. Sure, it doesn't have an option for silk upholstery, but it's more affordable, more advanced in terms of tech, and more modern inside, too. For many, the allure of the Italian's exotic name and Ferrari-sourced engine will be difficult to beat, but in every other way, the Porsche is better.