Skip advert
Advertisement

Maserati Quattroporte review - Engines, performance and drive

The Quattroporte’s chassis is less than perfect for UK roads, but there’s plenty of power

Engines, performance and drive rating

2.4

How we review cars
RRP
£114,690 £143,485
Find your Maserati Quattroporte
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

With 50:50 weight distribution, a long wheelbase and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, the Maserati Quattroporte promises much. However, on a twisty road it just isn’t as good as its rivals.

The steering gives you little sense of what the front wheels are doing, and with artificial and inconsistent weighting as you go from lock-to-lock, you find yourself making small corrections and counter adjustments. You can’t be precise at turn-in and you don’t have confidence through a corner.

The limit of grip arrives suddenly, which combined with the lifeless steering, means the Maserati doesn’t feel as composed as its rivals. On poor surfaces, the chassis wriggles, feeling unsettled over roads that its competitors soak up with ease.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Even with the Skyhook dampers in Normal mode, the ride is unresolved. Initial damping is okay, but the 19-inch wheels thump into imperfections. Sport mode stiffens the suspension without improving control. It sharpens the throttle response, speeds up gearshifts and opens the exhaust valves, but Maserati’s Active Sound system generates a mechanical grinding rather than an attractive exhaust note.

Engines

The V8-powered Quattroporte offers the kind of acceleration you’d normally associate with supercars rather than large limousines.

Acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 4.7 seconds and there's huge amounts of torque from under 2,000rpm all the way up to 7,500rpm, meaning in-gear punch is always impressive. The claimed top speed is 190mph, and a deep growl from the exhausts means people will definitely hear you coming long before they see you.

The turbocharged V6 model doesn't sound quite as good as the V8 but still feels very fast – the official 0-62mph time is 5.1 seconds while top speed is 177mph.

The diesel-engined Quattroporte is a bit too clattery at idle, but becomes more refined once you get up to speed. It has a top speed of 155mph and will do 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, so it’s still pretty quick for such a big car.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £27,795Avg. savings £2,400 off RRP*Used from £18,197
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,505Avg. savings £4,317 off RRP*Used from £19,564
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,771 off RRP*Used from £13,592
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £15,940Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £9,000
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is practical, hot-hatch quick and only £284 per month
Skoda Octavia vRS estate - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is practical, hot-hatch quick and only £284 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 26 January offers space for all the family and loads of power for when you’re not on the school run
News
26 Jan 2025
Tesla Model 3 alternatives: Six sleek electric cars you could buy instead
Tesla Model 3 alternatives - header image

Tesla Model 3 alternatives: Six sleek electric cars you could buy instead

Bored of seeing Tesla Model 3s everywhere? Sickened by Elon Musk’s antics? Here are the best new and used EV alternatives
Features
28 Jan 2025
New Fiat Grande Panda: UK prices, specs and full details
Fiat Grande Panda - front static

New Fiat Grande Panda: UK prices, specs and full details

The new Grande Panda will cost from under £19,000 in hybrid form
News
28 Jan 2025