2024 Maserati GranTurismo

Even after more than a decade on the market, every review of the old Maserati GranTurismo gushed about its stunning styling and Italian flair. Gone since 2019, the old M145 GT is finally being replaced with a brand-new M189 2024 Maserati GranTurismo, and - fans rejoice - the new one is no halfhearted effort. In a multi-pronged assault on the luxury coupe and convertible market inhabited by the likes of the BMW 8 Series and the Porsche 911 Carrera S, the new Maser will be offered as both a coupe and a drop-top - and the range will be rounded off with an electric version called the Folgore. This is enabled by a re-engineered Sport version of the Giorgio platform that started life underneath the 2015 Alfa Romeo Giulia and has now been developed to accommodate both gas and EV powertrains. With AWD and 483 horsepower from the Nettuno V6 inherited from the MC20, even the regular Modena model is plenty fast, with a sub-four-second 0-60 sprint and all the manic sound effects expected of a high-revving V6. It sounds like a winning recipe, so let's see how it shakes out in reality.

The price of 2024 the Maserati GranTurismo Modena starts at $174,000 and it's the only regular gas model available below the Trofeo. Keep in mind that this is the Maserati GranTurismo's MSRP and does not include any extras or the destination fee; the latter adds $1,495 to the cost of the car.

The GranTurismo is not only meant to be a hardcore sports car, but a comfortable and luxurious everyday GT - and it succeeds admirably. The suspension is relaxed and absorbent in Comfort mode and delivers a quiet and smooth ride on the highway and around town, so it fulfills Maserati's 'luxury performance' brief very well. It rises to the challenge when pushed, and with everything tightened up in Sport mode, the tauter suspension and weightier steering make for composed backroad blasting, with the exhaust opening up to provide an exhilarating soundtrack. The Corsa (track) mode is the firmest and sportiest setting and is meant for the racetrack, if the owner feels inclined to abuse their GranTurismo in such a way. The engine is a dominant force and has a wide torque band, with rapid acceleration a toe twist away, helped by the responsive eight-speed automatic transmission; lamentably, no manual is offered. Grip is resolute thanks to the standard AWD, and launch control enables brutal take-offs. The brakes are powerful, but the somewhat spongy pedal feel might put off some drivers.

The GranTurismo is beautiful to look at, has a modern engine that blesses it with storming performance, and comes with AWD and multiple drive modes as standard, so the fact that it can also seat four people is a welcome bonus and matched by very few rivals. The BMW 8 Series comes closest. Those rear seats are more than token gestures and are this GT's USP. A Corvette Z06 is much faster and cheaper, and a Porsche 911 4 GTS will also walk away from it in a sprint, so the Maser stands out as the only proper rapid four-seater coupe, besides the more mainstream 8 Series. It has very few flaws besides the dearth of standard driver assists, and we love it for its Italian flair, top-grade cabin, and beautiful body.

The normal gas GranTurismo comes only in Modena trim, with the high-performance Trofeo being more than $30k more expensive, so to get the optimal Modena experience, it's going to depend on how you spec it. While the standard spec is luxurious enough, many owners would like to personalize their cars, and to this end, various extra-cost paints and brake calipers in various colors are offered, in addition to a selection of optional wheel designs. Standard spec is good, with items such as power seats, leather upholstery, multiple drive modes, a fully featured infotainment system, and basic driver assists standard, but some items expected at this price cost extra, such as ventilated seats, a head-up display, and driver assists such as adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and even blind-spot monitoring. To add all the missing driver assists can cost just under $10k and, combined with all the other customization options, the price can exceed $200k, so spec it carefully.