Compare the2023 Mercedes CLSVS 2023 Maserati Quattroporte

The CLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes CLS has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the CLS and Quattroporte offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the But the CLS with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert also has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Quattroporte’s Rear Cross Path doesn’t automatically brake.

The CLS’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CLS and the Quattroporte have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The CLS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Quattroporte’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 3 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CLS’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CLS’ reliability 20 points higher than the Quattroporte.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Maserati vehicles. With 66 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Maserati.

The CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 17 more horsepower (362 vs. 345) than the Quattroporte GT’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the CLS gets better mileage than the Quattroporte:

Regenerative brakes improve the CLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLS higher (6 out of 10) than the Maserati Quattroporte (1 to 3). This means the CLS produces up to 45.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Quattroporte every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Quattroporte.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the CLS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the CLS’ turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Quattroporte’s (39 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

The Mercedes CLS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Maserati Quattroporte.

The CLS is 10.9 inches shorter than the Quattroporte, making the CLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the CLS offers cargo security. The Quattroporte’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Quattroporte, the CLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The CLS offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the CLS the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Quattroporte can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the CLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The CLS offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Quattroporte.

The CLS’ optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Quattroporte doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Maserati Quattroporte by over 30 to one during 2022.