When it comes to luxury Italian cars, most people remember Ferrari or Lamborghini. But there is another brand that has been combining sporting spirit, elegance and unique character for more than a century - Maserati. This brand doesn't just produce cars: it creates works of art on wheels, where every detail is imbued with a passion for speed and Italian chic.
Unlike mass premium brands like Mercedes-Benz or BMW, Maserati has always remained a niche - for those who value individuality. There is no conveyor standardity here: even basic models are equipped with engines from Ferrari, manual assembly of bodies and interiors made of hand-made genuine leather. But what exactly makes these cars so special? And why ownership Maserati often compared to membership in a private club?
History of Maserati: from racing to legendary supercars
The company's roots are in December 1, 1914when the Maserati brothers - Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore and Ernesto - founded a company in Bologna Officine Alfieri Maserati. Initially they were engaged in tuning cars Diatto and Isotta Fraschini, but already in 1926 they presented their first racing car - Maserati Tipo 26 with an eight-cylinder engine.
The legendary trident on the brand emblem is a tribute to Neptune, the god of the seas, and the brothers’ hometown, Bologna, where there is a fountain with this statue in the square. And the characteristic blue color ( Blu Nobile ) became a signature back in the 30s, when racers Maserati dominated the tracks of Europe. In 1939–1940 the company even won the famous race Indianapolis 500 is the only Italian brand that has succeeded.
- 🏆 1926 - debut Tipo 26, the first car with the Maserati emblem
- 🔥 1939–1940 - victories on Indianapolis 500 with the model 8CTF
- 💎 1957 - release of the legendary Maserati 3500 GT, the first serial Gran Turismo brand
- 🤝 1993 — purchase of the company by the concern Fiat (now included in Stellantis)
Today Maserati - this is part of the group Stellantis (together with Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Chrysler), but despite corporate changes, the brand retains its unique character. For example, all engines until 2019 were developed jointly with Ferrari, and bodies for limited series (like MC20) are assembled by hand in a factory in Modena.
How does Maserati differ from other premium brands?
If Mercedes S-Class associated with impeccable comfort, and Porsche 911 - with racing DNA, then Maserati occupies a unique niche between luxury and sporty temperament. Here are the key features that make the brand stand out:
⚠️ Attention: Cars Maserati not intended for those who are looking for the reliability of Japanese brands or German practicality. These are cars for emotions - with corresponding maintenance costs.
- 🎵 Engine sound — signature “roar” of V6 and V8 (especially in models Ghibli and Quattroporte) is created using special exhaust systems, manually tuned
- 🖌️ Manual assembly - bodies for flagship models are assembled at the plant in Modena, where every weld is checked by hand
- 🛋️ Interiors by Poltrona Frau - Italian furniture manufacturer supplies leather and wood for interiors, which are sewn and polished by hand
- 🏁 Racing DNA — even “civilian” models are tested on the track Varano de' Melegari, where Maserati conducts factory tests
Interesting fact: in 2020, the brand introduced the first all-electric model - Maserati Alfieri (still a concept), and from 2023 all new models will have hybrid or electric versions. It's part of the strategy Stellantis on decarbonization, but engineers promise to preserve the signature sound even in electric cars (using a synthesized “soundtrack”).
Current Maserati models in 2026: prices and features
Ruler Maserati today includes sedans, crossovers and supercars. All models except MC20, are assembled at a plant in Turin, and prices in Russia start from 8–10 million rubles for basic versions. Let's look at the key models:
| Model | Body type | Engine (basic version) | Power, hp | Price in Russia, from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghibli | Sedan | V6 3.0 l (hybrid) | 350 | 8 500 000 ₽ |
| Quattroporte | Sedan (long wheelbase) | V6 3.0 l (hybrid) | 350–580 | 12 000 000 ₽ |
| Levante | Crossover | V6 3.0 l / V8 3.8 l | 350–600 | 9 800 000 ₽ |
| MC20 | Supercar | V6 3.0 l (twin-turbo) | 630 | 25 000 000 ₽ |
| Grecale | Compact crossover | 4-cyl. 2.0 l / V6 3.0 l | 300–550 | 7 900 000 ₽ |
Stands apart Maserati MC20 — the brand’s first supercar in 15 years (after MC12). His engine Nettuno V6 with technology pre-chamber combustion (pre-chamber ignition) develops 630 hp. and accelerates the car to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds. At the same time MC20 - this is not just a racing car: its interior is trimmed in leather Full-Grain and carbon fiber, and the multimedia system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If you are considering buying a used Maserati, be sure to check the service history. V8 engines (eg in Quattroporte GTS) require replacing the timing belt every 60,000 km - skipping this procedure can result in a major overhaul.
Technical features: what you need to know before buying
Cars Maserati - This is not only luxury, but also complex technology. Here are the key points to consider:
- Engines: Most models are equipped with motors Ferrari (until 2019) or our own developments Stellantis. For example, Ghibli and Quattroporte can be equipped with:
- 🔋 Hybrid
V6 3.0 l(350 hp) with system Mild Hybrid - 💨
V8 3.8 l(580 hp) from Ferrari (in versions GTS)
- 🔋 Hybrid
One of the most controversial features remains reliability. According to the study J.D. Power 2023 Maserati ranks one of the last in terms of the number of breakdowns per 1000 cars. Main "diseases":
- 🔧 Electronics (especially multimedia system MTC in older models)
- 🛢️ Oil leaks in engines
V8after 100,000 km - 🔋 Problems with hybrid batteries in the first batches Ghibli Hybrid
Why are Maseratis so unreliable?
The main reason is low production volumes (about 20,000 cars per year versus millions of Mercedes). This means that parts are often produced in small batches, without extensive testing. In addition, engineers Maserati traditionally, reliability is sacrificed for the sake of sporting characteristics - for example, engines are tuned to maximum output, which reduces their service life.
How much does Maserati service cost in Russia?
Possession Maserati - This is not only buying a car, but also serious maintenance costs. Here are the estimated prices for key procedures (according to official dealers for 2026):
| Service | Model Ghibli (V6) | Model Quattroporte (V8) | Model MC20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance (every 15,000 km) | 45 000–60 000 ₽ | 70 000–90 000 ₽ | 120 000–150 000 ₽ |
| Replacing the timing belt | 180 000–220 000 ₽ | 250 000–300 000 ₽ | 350 000+ ₽ |
| Replacing brake discs (front) | 150 000–200 000 ₽ | 200 000–250 000 ₽ | 400,000+ ₽ (carbon ceramics) |
| Electronics diagnostics | 20 000–35 000 ₽ | 25 000–40 000 ₽ | 50 000+ ₽ |
The cost of spare parts is also high. For example, the original air duct for Quattroporte V8 will cost 80 000 ₽, and the front bumper is for MC20 - in 500 000+ ₽. At the same time, the warranty for new cars is only 3 years or 100,000 km (y Mercedes - 4 years old Lexus - up to 7 years).
⚠️ Attention: Many owners Maserati it is recommended to put it in for maintenance 15–20% of the cost of the car per year. For example, for Ghibli for 9 million rubles this is ~1.5 million rubles of annual expenses.
Check the service history at an authorized dealer | Assess the condition of the engine (especially for oil leaks) | Diagnose the electronics (a common problem) | Check the availability of spare parts in the region | Set aside a budget for maintenance (at least 10% of the price of the car)-->
Maserati in the secondary market: risks and opportunities
Used prices Maserati in Russia start from 3–4 million rubles for Ghibli 2015–2017 and reach 15–20 million for Quattroporte GTS or GranTurismo in good condition. However, buying a used model is fraught with pitfalls.
Firstly, 90% of cars on the market have a mileage of over 100,000 km, and this is the threshold for many nodes. Secondly, until 2020 Maserati were not officially delivered to Russia, so many cars are “gray” imported, with the risk of problems with the title. Thirdly, spare parts for older models (for example, GranTurismo 2008–2014) may take months to ship.
- 🔍 What to check first:
- Condition of turbines (at
V6andV8they often fail after 120,000 km) - Air suspension performance (repair will cost 300,000+ ₽)
- The presence of errors in the control unit (especially
AdBluein diesel versions)
- Condition of turbines (at
- 📄 Documents: Make sure that the car is not pledged and is not on the wanted list (check through
traffic policeandFNP).
On the other hand, some models are already becoming collector's items. For example, Maserati GranTurismo S (2008–2014) with engine V8 4.7 l (440 hp) today is estimated at 8–12 million rubles and is considered a future classic. A MC12 (2004–2005), released in an edition of only 50 pieces, sells for $2–3 million.
Maserati in culture: from James Bond to rap videos
Maserati It has long been a symbol of status and style, appearing in films, music and even literature. Here are some striking examples:
- 🎬 Cinema:
- Maserati Quattroporte in the movie "GoldenEye" (1995) - James Bond's car
- Maserati Ghibli in The Italian Job (2003) - driven by Mark Wahlberg
- Maserati GranTurismo in "John Wick 3" (2019) - the main character's car
- 🎤 Music:
- 50 Cent on "Many Men" (2003): "I push Maseratis, I got that good gas"*
- Drake on the track "Nonstop" (2018): "Maserati overdue for a oil change"*
- 🎮 Games: Maserati MC20 and GranTurismo present in Forza Horizon 5 and Gran Turismo 7
I wonder what Maserati often associated with mafia chic - for example, in the TV series "The Sopranos" Tony Soprano rode Quattroporte. And in real life, cars of this brand were owned by Frank Sinatra, Brad Pitt and even the Pope (donated Quattroporte for the Vatican vehicle fleet).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Maserati
🔹 How much does the cheapest new Maserati cost in 2026?
The most affordable model - Maserati Grecale with 4-cylinder engine 2.0 l (300 hp). Its price in Russia starts from 7,900,000 rubles. However, even the basic package includes leather interior, adaptive suspension and multimedia with Apple CarPlay.
🔹 Is it possible to service a Maserati other than an official dealer?
Technically yes, but it's risky. Engines Maserati require specialized diagnostic equipment (for example, a scanner WiTech from Stellantis). Unofficial services often do not have access to original spare parts and firmware. The exception is proven workshops specializing in Italian cars (for example, Lamborghini/Maserati in Moscow).
🔹 Which Maserati is the most reliable?
According to independent ratings, the most reliable are:
- Maserati Ghibli Hybrid (2021–2026) - new hybrid engine
V6proved to be better than the old onesV8 - Maserati Levante (2020 facelift) - it has fewer problems with electronics than sedans
But Quattroporte V8 (until 2018) and GranTurismo (until 2014) are considered the most problematic due to oil leaks and air suspension malfunctions.
🔹 Is it possible to drive a Maserati in winter?
Yes, but with reservations:
- All models except MC20, are offered with all-wheel drive (
Q4) - Winter tires are mandatory - even Quattroporte with air suspension it is difficult to control in the snow without them
- Recommended clearance for Ghibli and Quattroporte — 120–130 mm (in mode
Offroad)
However, keep in mind that fuel consumption increases by 20–30% in winter (for example, Ghibli V6 can “eat” up to 20 l/100 km in the city).
🔹 Why are Maserati so expensive to maintain?
Main reasons:
- Manual assembly — many parts are not interchangeable with other brands
- Italian suppliers - for example, supplies leather Poltrona Frau, and its repair costs 2–3 times more than Mercedes
- Small production volumes — spare parts often have to be imported from Italy to order
For comparison: replacing spark plugs with Maserati V8 costs ~50,000 ₽ (including labor), while on BMW M5 — ~20 000 ₽.