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The 2021 Maserati Quattroporte is the larger of the Italian company’s two sedans, about a foot longer than the Ghibli. As such, it competes with other big European sedans like the Audi S8, BMW BMW, +0.93% 7 Series, and the Porsche POAHY, +3.04% Panamera.
For 2021, the Quattroporte has been restyled to have more of a family look with its Ghibli and Levante siblings. It also gets the latest generation of MIA (Maserati Intelligent Assist), the company’s multimedia infotainment system.
The Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati
On the performance front, the big news for 2021 is the debut of the Quattroporte Trofeo, which is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 with 580 horsepower. The other Quattroporte models, the S and the S Q4, are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 424 hp. All 2021 Maserati Quattroportes have an 8-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles and a limited-slip rear differential.
What’s new for 2021?
Besides the arrival of the potent new Trofeo, the most noticeable change to the 2021 Maserati Quattroporte is a new grille and a revised boomerang-shaped rear lighting cluster. This light cluster now has a 3-color lens that’s black around the edge, red in the middle, and clear on the bottom. The big update inside this stylish leather-clad Italian sedan is a large new 10.1-in touchscreen with a curved glass surface.
Three models are available for 2021: the V6-powered Quattroporte S and Quattroporte S Q4, and the new V8-powered Quattroporte Trofeo.
What we like
- Potent new Trofeo model
- Mild styling updates
- Ferrari-built RACE, +0.16% engines
- Large 10.1-in touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Active suspension damping
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
What we don’t
- Some competitors have more power
- No hybrid or plug-in hybrid
- Poor EPA fuel economy, especially the Trofeo
- Small dealer network
- Fast depreciation
How much?
$104,390 to $142,390
Fuel economy
The standard 2021 Maserati Quattroporte S, a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model powered by the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 424 hp, is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 16 miles per gallon in the city/24 mpg on the highway/19 mpg combined.
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A Quattroporte S Q4, powered by the same engine but equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), has the exact same EPA numbers of 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.
Naturally, the V8-powered 2021 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo consumes more fuel. It’s rated by the EPA at only 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway/16 mpg combined.
Standard features and options
This luxurious and sporty big Maserati sedan is offered as a Quattroporte S or an AWD Quattroporte S Q4. Both are available in base, GranLusso and GranSport trims. There’s also the potent new Maserati Quattroporte called the Trofeo.
The standard Quattroporte S ($104,390, plus $1,995 destination) is generously equipped. In addition to its 424-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission, the 2021 Maserati Quattroporte S has 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlamps, a sunroof, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and adaptive suspension damping. Other standard fare on the Quattroporte S includes heated front seats, a hands-free trunk, Apple AAPL, +5.39% CarPlay/Android Auto, a blind-spot alert, and a Harman Kardon audio system with 10 speakers and a 1-year subscription to Sirius SIRI, +2.91% satellite radio.
The Quattroporte S GranLusso ($111,390) adds an upgraded interior with silk and leather upholstery from Ermenegildo Zegna, plus heated and vented front seats, a chrome insert in the front fascia, 20-in alloy wheels, and gloss-black brake calipers with the Maserati script in white.
Priced identically is the Quattroporte S GranSport ($111,390). It comes with 12-way power front sport seats, unique front and rear fasciae, 20-inch alloy wheels and gloss-red brake calipers with the Maserati script in white.
For all intents and purposes, the Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 ($108,890) is a Quattroporte S with AWD. The Quattroporte S Q4 GranLusso and Quattroporte S Q4 GranSport models are both priced at $115,890.
Capping the lineup is the potent and opulent new Quattroporte Trofeo ($142,390). In addition to a 580-hp twin-turbo V8 and a rich, top-quality interior, this AWD hot rod comes with 21-inch alloy wheels and a Corsa button that allows for even sportier driving dynamics. Also notable: The Quattroporte Trofeo has launch control, which is far better than any human at turning those 580 horses into entertaining forward thrust.
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Options abound. One of the most notable is a new woven leather interior material called Zegna Pelletessuta. Thin strips of Nappa leather are woven together to form a fabric that blends an old-world feel with modern technology.
Notable Quattroporte option packages include the blacked-out Nerissimo Package ($4,590), which includes 20-inch black wheels, the GranSport front and rear fasciae, piano-black interior trim, and gloss-red brake calipers. A GT Sport Package ($3,490) is similar, but with silver 20-inch alloy wheels.
There’s also a Carbon Fiber Package ($2,700) available on the 2021 Quattroporte. It includes paddle shifters and door sills made of carbon, plus high-gloss carbon twill interior trim and a heated sport steering wheel wrapped in black leather.
Safety
Although the 2021 Maserati Quattroporte is predominantly about style, power, and excellent driving dynamics, it has a thoroughly modern safety suite. Safety highlights include a forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.
Also standard is Active Driving Assist, a “hands-on” function that allows the Quattroporte to stay centered in its lane and maintain a preset gap to the vehicle in front, aided by its radar, forward-facing camera, and electric-assist power steering.
Other standard safety fare includes blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control (with Stop & Go), Traffic Sign Recognition, a 360-degree camera, and lane-keep assist.
Behind the wheel
With its standard Skyhook adaptive suspension, the Quattroporte offers the best of both worlds: good everyday ride comfort along with excellent body control when the road starts to twist. This big Italian sedan feels smaller than it is, and the electrically assisted steering has a natural amount of assist with good feedback.
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What’s more, with either engine, the Quattroporte is plenty quick. The new Quattroporte Trofeo model, with its 580-hp twin-turbo V8, hits 60 mph in only 4.2 seconds. It’s also the fastest Maserati sedan ever built, with a top speed of 203 mph. Helping to harness all that performance potential is the Integrated Vehicle Control system, a smart traction-management system that improves performance and safety.
All the while, you’re in a stylish 5-seat cabin with supportive sport seats, the aroma of fine leather, and a healthy dose of unmistakable Italian style. And both engines, it should be known, have just enough growl to let you know something special is ready for duty under that aluminum hood.
Other cars to consider
2021 Audi S8 — The big Audi starts at about $130,000, and it’s powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 563 hp. Roomier but more reserved than the Quattroporte.
2021 BMW 7 Series — The Alpina B7 has a 600-hp V8 and a top speed of 205 mph. MSRP? $143,200. The standard BMW 7 Series starts at $86,800.
2021 Porsche Panamera – The big hatchback Porsche is available in multiple ways, the two most powerful being the Turbo S E Hybrid with 689 hp and the Turbo S with 620. Fleet and surprisingly practical.
Used Aston Martin Rapide – No longer produced, the Rapide is similar to the Quattroporte in that it’s a beautifully styled European 4-door sedan that’s thrilling to drive.
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Autotrader’s advice
You won’t see yourself coming and going in the 2021 Maserati Quattroporte, a head-turning sedan with a Ferrari-built engine. The new Trofeo, with its 580-hp V8, pulls strongest at our hearts, but any Quattroporte is plenty quick and delightfully Italian.
This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.
