Used 2020 Maserati Quattroporte

The 2020 Maserati Quattroporte is the flagship, full-size sedan from the Italian luxury automaker. It competes with better-known rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Porsche Panamera, Audi A8, and Jaguar XJ. When counting relative newcomers like the Genesis G90 and even the Tesla Model S, it’s a crowded field of rivals competing for big dollars from a small set of well-heeled buyers. The Maserati is even more exclusive within this segment, and its $100,000-plus starting price is a bigger ask.

The Quattroporte is finely crafted, beautifully designed, luxurious, and fast. It doesn’t have the highly advanced technology or as many amenities as its German rivals, but the Maserati Quattroporte can boast a couple of things no others can. First is the sheer exclusivity of its Maserati name, and the second is engines made by none other than its cousin Ferrari.

The Maserati Quattroporte is fast, yes. That’s pretty much synonymous with the name Maserati. But in reality, it’s hardly the fleetest. In fact, a new V8 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is quicker off the line than a comparable Maserati, even with its Ferrari-made V8. And a Mercedes-AMG variant will downright embarrass a Quattroporte, boasting a 0-60-mph time of 3.5 seconds vs. the Maserati’s best of 4.7 seconds. The Mercedes-AMG is aided by the better traction of all-wheel drive (AWD), which is also available in the Maserati, but only in V6 models. Similarly, a V8-powered BMW 7 Series will also return sub-4-second 0-60-mph times.

Still, the 2020 Quattroporte is about far more than just stoplight races. That’s not its game. The Maserati Quattroporte’s driving experience is about grace as much as it is speed. The adaptive suspension is taut enough to make this luxury sports sedan feel athletic but not jarring, and its steering feel is also satisfying. Perhaps most satisfying is the engine and exhaust note, especially with the V8. Few cars sound as good, and it’s something you will appreciate every time you drive the Quattroporte.

The Maserati Quattroporte’s 5-passenger cabin leans more toward traditional elegance vs. innovative luxury. That means it doesn’t have the huge digital screens of a modern Mercedes-Benz or Audi, nor as many amenities. What you will find is lots of premium leather, wood, and other quality materials. You can have high-gloss black-wood trim or carbon-fiber twill for a sportier, more aggressive look.

We would prefer bespoke switchgear instead of some buttons that appear to have come from a Chrysler, but the overall effect is pleasing (Maserati is part of the massive Fiat Chrysler family). In the center of the dash is an 8.4-inch touchscreen display that shows navigation, audio, phone info, and more. Controls for climate are below that and relatively simple to use.

Rear-seat legroom is good, and the Quattroporte can be made even more exclusive as a 4-seat sedan, replacing the bench with a pair of seats with heat, ventilation, and reclining ability. Trunk space measures a massive 18.7 cubic feet, and the rear seats fold in a 60/40-split for added practicality.

“Quattroporte” is Italian for “four doors.” At 207.2 inches — over 17 feet — the Maserati is slightly larger than the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Yet the Quattroporte’s crisp design and excellent proportions manage to disguise its size. There are plenty of elegant lines, shapes, and character traits, from the concave grille up front with the classic Maserati trident logo in the middle to the slightly tapered trunk and quad exhaust outlets in back. Just aft the front fenders are Maserati’s classic three portholes.

The GT Sport Package, new for 2020, adds a more aggressive look with a distinctive front and rear fascia, unique 20-inch wheels, and brake calipers painted in your choice of red, blue, or black.

FERRARI ENGINES
The Maserati Quattroporte is about as close as it gets to a full-size Ferrari sedan. While its exotic Italian cousin doesn’t make such a 5-passenger sedan, it does make the engines that go into this one. Ferrari builds both the V6 and V8, and they sound and feel exquisite.

PRICE CUTS
Whichever 2020 Maserati Quattroporte model you choose, it has a lower starting price than its 2019 predecessor. A base S is nearly $7,000 less, while a top-line GTS is almost $13,000 below the outgoing model. This better positions the Quattroporte against its more mainstream rivals.

The 2020 Quattroporte lineup begins with the S model, and new standard features this year make it more competitive with rivals. Now included are a heated leather-and-wood steering wheel, soft-close doors, and a power-operated rear sunshade. Significantly, the Driver Assistance Package is also now standard and bundles important features like lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control.

Also standard are a surround-view camera, dual-zone climate control, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and 10-speaker/900-watt Harman Kardon audio. Remote start, hands-free power trunk, and sunroof are also standard.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on the V6 Maserati Quattroporte, while the powerful V8 is standard on the GTS. Optional features include quad-zone climate control, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, even finer-grade leather interior, and Alcantara headliner.

The Executive Rear Seat package swaps the traditional rear bench for a pair of sculpted rear seats with heat, ventilation, and reclining function. Folding rear tables are also available for a real first-class travel experience. The Nerissimo package adds darkened exterior aesthetics for an aggressive tone.

The Quattroporte offers a choice of two engines, a twin-turbo V6 or a more potent twin-turbo V8. As mentioned, both engines are made by none other than Ferrari, Maserati’s Italian cousin. The Quattroporte is rear-wheel drive (RWD) by nature, with all-wheel drive (AWD), which Maserati refers to as “Q4,” optional on the V6 model and a good choice for drivers who routinely deal with foul weather.

Both engines are connected to a smooth ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. V6 Quattroporte models can reach a top speed of 179 mph, while the V8 Quattroporte maxes out at 193 mph. Like other modern cars, the 2020 Quattroporte uses an engine start/stop system that cuts power at idle, such as traffic lights. You can disable the feature via a switch to the left of the transmission lever, near buttons for driving modes like Sport and I.C.E., which increases fuel efficiency.

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
424 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
428 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (RWD), 16/23 mpg (AWD)

3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8
523 horsepower @ 6,500-6,800 rpm
479 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000-6,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg