Maserati Quattroporte 2018 Review

In Malaysia's luxury executive sedan market, high-powered gasoline models often dominate the conversation. However, for consumers who are drawn to the allure of the Maserati brand but also care about everyday usage costs, the choices are actually quite limited. The 2018 Maserati Quattroporte Diesel was introduced to fill this gap — with a price tag of under RM 900,000, it offers a unique combination of "luxury brand + executive-size dimensions + diesel powertrain" within its segment. The key selling points lie in its lower fuel consumption and more accessible entry-level threshold. In this test, we will focus on verifying whether it can maintain the Maserati brand essence while balancing the practicality required for daily commuting.

From a distance, the silhouette of the 2018 Quattroporte Diesel is identical to that of the gasoline variant. The classic long hood and short front overhang design continue to ensure the dignified presence of an executive sedan. The front fascia features Maserati's signature vertical-slat grille, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, giving it high recognition; the trapezoidal air intakes in the lower bumper and chrome accents add a touch of sportiness. The side profile boasts flowing lines, and the 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels (available on certain trims) complement the elongated body proportions. The "Saetta" trident badge on the lower section of the doors serves as a subtle mark of distinction. At the rear, the dual round exhaust outlets (distinct from the quad tip layout on the GTS), slightly upturned ducktail spoiler, and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals strike a balance between luxury and subtlety, avoiding excessive flashiness. The overall design blends business and sportiness, making it stand out in any high-end mall parking lot as unmistakably a Maserati.

Stepping into the cabin, the atmosphere of typical Italian luxury is immediately felt: the dashboard is wrapped in extensive soft-touch leather, complemented by wood grain (or optional carbon fiber) trim, offering a delicate tactile experience. The steering wheel is a three-spoke leather design, with physical buttons on the left side for cruise control, volume adjustment, and more. It provides a solid grip and intuitive layout. The central area features an 8.4-inch touchscreen equipped with the Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC+) system, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Its operational fluency ranks above average for 2018 models. The seats are upholstered in genuine leather; the front seats offer 12-way power adjustment and lumbar support, while the trident embroidery on the headrests adds attention to detail. The rear seats are equally spacious, providing over two fists of legroom (based on a passenger height of 175 cm). The central floor hump is not high, ensuring that it is not overly cramped for three adults in the back. In terms of storage, the front door pockets can hold two water bottles, the center armrest compartment has a moderate depth, and the trunk has a capacity of 530 liters, which can fit two 28-inch suitcases plus a carry-on with ease—meeting the needs of business trips or short family getaways.

The 2018 Quattroporte Diesel comes equipped with a 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine delivering a maximum power of 275 PS and a peak torque of 600 N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the engine reaches its maximum torque output at just 1,500 rpm, providing light and torquey acceleration from a standstill. Even in congested city traffic, there’s no frequent need for heavy throttle input. When switched to Sport mode, the transmission adopts a more aggressive shifting logic, with quicker downshifts that enable effortless overtaking with just a light push of the accelerator. It also accelerates easily beyond 120 km/h on highways. The steering offers precise control with minimal play, light at lower speeds, and progressively heavier at higher speeds, instilling confidence in the driver. The suspension system employs a double-wishbone setup at the front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, tuned for comfort. It absorbs most minor road irregularities, though passengers in the rear might experience mild bouncing over speed bumps or larger potholes. Nevertheless, overall comfort stays within the expectations for an executive sedan.

The fuel consumption performance is the core advantage of the diesel version: We tested it under combined road conditions (30% urban + 70% highway), and the actual fuel consumption was about 7.2L/100km, which is 3-4L/100km lower than gasoline versions of the same class. Calculating based on Malaysia's diesel price, the cost per kilometer is less than 0.2 RM, which can save a considerable amount of expenses in the long run. In terms of noise control, the vibration and noise of the diesel engine at idle are slightly more noticeable compared to the gasoline version, but when driving, wind noise and tire noise are well suppressed, making interior conversations clear even at 120km/h.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2018 Maserati Quattroporte Diesel stand out: with a price below 900,000 RM, it costs less than half the price of the Quattroporte S (1.84 million RM), yet offers almost the same level of luxury features and vehicle size. The diesel engine provides low fuel consumption, addressing the "affordable to buy but expensive to maintain" pain point of luxury cars. Meanwhile, Maserati's brand identity and sporty design make it more distinctive than German executive sedans in the same price range. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the BMW 5 Series Diesel (priced at about 600,000-700,000 RM), it carries a stronger brand premium; compared to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Diesel, it offers better handling.

This car is suitable for two groups of people: First, business professionals who value brand image but have long daily commutes and care about operational costs. Second, families who love Italian design and are looking for a luxurious sedan that is both "prestigious and family-friendly." If you are pursuing extreme performance, the GTS version is obviously more suitable, but if you want to balance luxury, practicality, and economy, the Quattroporte Diesel is a smarter choice.

In conclusion, the 2018 Maserati Quattroporte Diesel is a "practical luxury car" — it retains Maserati's brand DNA while lowering the entry barrier to luxury executive sedans through diesel power and user-friendly pricing. For consumers who don't want to compromise between brand, space, and cost, it is undoubtedly an option worth considering.