Maserati MC20 2022 Review

The supercar market has been gaining attention in Malaysia in recent years, and consumers are no longer just focused on traditional luxury brands, but are instead leaning towards models that balance performance with everyday practicality. The 2022 Maserati MC20 3.0T, as Maserati's core product in its return to the supercar segment, is equipped with the all-new Nettuno 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine. The official 0-100 km/h acceleration time is just 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 325 km/h. At the same time, it retains the brand's signature luxurious texture. With this test drive, we primarily aim to evaluate its performance, everyday driving convenience, and configuration rationality to see whether it can become the representative of a "balanced" player in the supercar market.

The exterior design of the MC20 takes on a clean and sporty route without overly complex lines. At the front, the large lower grille is paired with side air intakes, immediately signaling its performance orientation; the two raised lines on the hood extend from the A-pillar to the front lip, enhancing the visual impact. The proportions of the side profile are well-balanced, with hidden door handles and an upward-sloping window line that echoes the rear diffuser. The most striking feature at the rear is the one-piece LED taillight, which is highly recognizable when lit; below it, a dual-sided twin exhaust layout, paired with the bottom diffuser, further reinforces the sporty atmosphere. The entire body incorporates a large amount of carbon fiber material, which not only reduces the weight (only 1475kg) but also gives the body lines a more sculptural appearance.

Sitting inside, the interior of the MC20 is driver-focused, with a simple overall layout but solid materials. The center console features a combination of Alcantara and leather, with soft materials covering almost every touchable surface, paired with carbon fiber accents to strike a good balance between luxury and sportiness. The 10-inch full LCD instrument panel offers clear displays and can toggle between different driving mode interfaces, showing information such as RPM, speed, and oil pressure. The center console screen is a 10-inch touch display, with decent system fluidity, supporting CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system's functions don't stand out compared to other supercars, it is sufficient for daily use. The seats are sporty bucket seats with strong wrapping, providing solid lumbar and leg support. Additionally, the seats support electric adjustment, making long drives less tiring. Regarding storage space, the front row offers two cup holders and a central armrest box, while the trunk space is 150 liters. Although it’s not very large, it can accommodate two carry-on suitcases, making it more practical than some purely track-focused supercars.

In terms of power, the MC20 is equipped with a 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine delivering a maximum horsepower of 630PS and maximum torque of 730N·m (official data was not listed in the configuration table, but the power output was evident during test drives). It pairs with an 8-speed DCT transmission. During daily driving, switching to Comfort mode results in relatively smooth power delivery, with the throttle response not being overly sensitive and the gearbox shifting gears actively. On city roads, it is surprisingly manageable, unlike some supercars that can feel "uncontrollable." When switching to Sport or Corsa mode, the power becomes instantly aggressive — pressing the accelerator pedal firmly delivers a strong push-back sensation, and the 0-100km/h acceleration time of 2.9 seconds lives up to its claim. Mid- to high-range acceleration is equally powerful, and even at 120km/h, pressing the pedal further still provides a noticeable surge, making overtaking completely effortless.

In terms of handling performance, the MC20's front double-wishbone and rear double-wishbone independent suspension are tuned to be slightly stiff, but in Comfort mode, the suspension can filter out some vibrations when going over city speed bumps or small bumps, ensuring passengers don’t feel too much jolting. The steering system is very precise, with minimal play in the steering wheel, providing clear feedback from the road. Body roll is well-controlled during cornering, remaining stable even during high-speed turns. The braking system performs excellently, with linear braking effect from the front and rear ventilated discs. The brake pedal feels solid, and the car remains stable during emergency braking without any noticeable nose-diving.

Our test drive was mainly conducted in urban and highway sections. The fuel consumption performance is decent, with an average consumption of about 12L/100km, which is close to the official figure of 11.6L/100km. Considering its performance, this fuel consumption figure is reasonable. In terms of noise control, there is some wind and tire noise at high speeds, but it's not particularly loud and falls within the medium range for a supercar. The engine noise is amplified through the sound system in Sport mode to enhance the driving atmosphere, while it remains relatively quiet in Comfort mode.

To summarize, the MC20 has clear core advantages: impressive performance with a 0-100km/h acceleration of 2.9 seconds, which can rival mainstream supercars in the same class; high everyday driving convenience, being easy to handle in Comfort mode with adequate storage space; and a well-balanced interior offering both luxury and sportiness, with configurations that meet daily needs. Compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo S in the same class, the MC20 has a slight edge in power specifications and is more affordable (priced at RM 1,078,000). Compared to the Ferrari F8 Tributo, the MC20 offers greater everyday practicality and potentially lower maintenance costs.

This car is suitable for consumers who pursue supercar performance but also need it for occasional daily commuting—such as those who enjoy weekend track experiences and can still use it for commuting or short family trips. It is not a purely track-oriented supercar but rather an "all-round" supercar that strikes an excellent balance between performance and practicality. If you're looking for a supercar with brand prestige, powerful performance, yet not overly "extreme," the MC20 is worth considering.