Maserati GranTurismo 2024 Review

In the past two years, Malaysia's sports car market has gradually warmed up, and competition in the luxury mid-sized sports car segment has also begun to intensify. Consumers want both the sense of identity brought by a brand and the practicality for daily use — the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo Modena is tailored to meet this demand. As a mid-cycle facelift version of the GranTurismo series, it retains the classic GT sports car positioning while upgrading the powertrain and intelligent configurations. Its core selling point lies in being a "high-performance sports car suitable for daily commuting." In this test drive, we focused on its urban driving convenience, highway cruising comfort, and the performance of the powertrain in different scenarios to see if it truly balances passion and practicality.

The exterior of the GranTurismo Modena continues Maserati's family-style design, with smooth and muscular lines giving it the typical GT sports car stance. The front features a large trapezoidal grille with a black mesh structure inside, complemented by sharp LED headlights on both sides, offering high recognition; the air intakes below the headlights have been redesigned to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. On the side of the car, the most striking design is the waistline running through the door handles, extending from the fenders to the rear, paired with 20-inch front and 21-inch rear aluminum alloy wheels for a dynamic visual effect. At the rear, the LED tail lights adopt the popular through-type design, with the Maserati trident logo embedded in the middle. Below, the quad exhaust layout further reinforces its performance attributes. Notably, the body paint uses a metallic finish that shines beautifully under sunlight, with fine details showcasing a high level of craftsmanship.

Inside the cabin, the interior style leans toward luxurious sportiness. The dashboard features a layered design, with the upper section wrapped in soft-touch materials, the middle section housing a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and the lower section retaining some physical buttons to balance technology with ease of use. The multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in genuine leather, offering a solid grip. On the left, there are buttons for cruise control and voice commands, while the right side includes driving mode selection and multimedia controls. The seats are made of genuine leather, and the front seats come with electric adjustments and lumbar support, offering good lateral support and comfort for long drives. In terms of features, the standard HUD head-up display clearly shows speed and navigation information, while the 19-speaker Sonus faber audio system delivers delicate sound quality, fully satisfying music enthusiasts. The central screen is equipped with the latest MIA intelligent infotainment system, supporting both CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and offering a smooth user experience.

Space is one of the strengths of the GranTurismo Modena. The vehicle measures 4959mm × 1957mm × 1353mm, with a wheelbase of 2929mm. For a two-door sports car, the rear space is surprisingly ample — a passenger standing 175cm tall still has about a fist of legroom and three fingers of headroom while seated in the back, making short trips completely feasible. In terms of storage capabilities, the front center armrest box is moderately sized and can hold items like phones and wallets, while the door storage slots can accommodate bottled water. The trunk offers a capacity of 173L; although not very spacious, it can fit two carry-on suitcases or a golf bag, which is sufficient for daily commutes or short trips. The rear row is also equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, demonstrating thoughtful attention to detail.

In terms of power, the GranTurismo Modena is equipped with a 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum output of 490PS and peak torque of 600N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. During actual driving, the power responds swiftly at the initial stage; a light press on the accelerator provides a noticeable push-back sensation. When switched to Sport mode, throttle sensitivity is further enhanced, and the transmission's shifting logic becomes more aggressive. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 3.9 seconds, while the actual test reached a fastest time of 4.0 seconds, which is consistent with expectations. During high-speed cruising, the engine speed is maintained at around 1800 rpm, and noise control is commendable. When accelerating by pressing the accelerator deep, the gearbox quickly downshifts, and power delivery is linear and continuous.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel offers precise control with minimal play. It feels light at low speeds, making city driving effortless, while at high speeds, the steering becomes heavier, ensuring excellent stability. The suspension system uses a front double wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned towards comfort. It effectively filters out jolts when passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, ensuring passengers inside the car will not feel significant bumps. When cornering, the suspension provides adequate support, body roll is minimal, and combined with the all-wheel-drive system, the grip performance is outstanding. Overall, the handling ranks among the top in the same class of GT sports cars.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 13.8L/100km. From actual tests, the fuel consumption in congested city traffic is about 15.2L/100km, while highway cruising consumes approximately 11.5L/100km. For a 3.0T V6 sports car, these figures are quite reasonable. Braking performance is excellent, with a 100km/h-0 braking distance of about 35 meters. The brake pedal has a linear feel and clear feedback, giving the driver a high sense of confidence.

Regarding driving comfort, the GranTurismo Modena exceeds expectations. The seat padding offers a moderate softness, reducing fatigue during long periods of sitting. Noise control within the car is well-handled; at a cruising speed of 120km/h, wind and tire noise are not significant. The engine noise in normal mode is also relatively mild, becoming more vigorous only when switched to Sport mode, bringing a rich exhaust growl. It is worth mentioning that the air conditioning system performs excellently, quickly cooling down in Malaysia's hot weather. Rear air vents ensure the comfort of passengers in the back seat.

Overall, the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo Modena's core advantage lies in its "balance" — it combines the power performance and handling of a sports car with practicality and comfort for daily commuting. Compared to the Porsche 911 Carrera of the same class, it offers more rear space and richer configurations while being priced about 50,000 Malaysian Ringgit lower, making it more cost-effective. Compared to the Aston Martin Vantage, it offers better convenience for daily driving and has lower fuel consumption.

This car is suitable for two types of people: first, young entrepreneurs who value brand and practicality, needing both the status symbol a sports car provides and occasionally undertaking short-distance client pick-ups; second, driving enthusiasts who do not wish to compromise on family use, allowing them to enjoy driving pleasure during the week and take family trips on weekends.

Overall, the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo Modena is a GT sports car with "no obvious shortcomings," balancing performance, luxury, and practicality to fully meet the demand for a "luxury sports car suitable for daily use." If you're looking for a sports car that can both showcase your identity and handle daily commutes, it will be a great choice.