03 April 2020

Maserati vs Tesla – Which is Better?

Where Maserati champions classic Italian design with prestige and exclusivity, Tesla offers contemporary American aesthetics paired with technology and innovation. This makes for some seriously contradictory comparisons, as outlined below.

Brand history 

Founded in 1914, Maserati is the epitome of Italian luxury, with vehicles easily recognisable by the iconic trident emblem. The brand embodies elegance and exclusivity, with engineers combining speed, performance and superior engineering with a distinct Italian style.

In contrast, Tesla was founded in 2003 and quickly won headlines for its envelope-pushing, environmentally friendly electric cars. The company is fronted by enigmatic leader Elon Musk, who has successfully launched an automotive company that values technology above all else. For drivers who value prestige and opulence, Maserati comes up trumps. In terms of technology and innovation, Tesla is the order of the day. 

Eco credentials

When it comes to environmental credentials Tesla unsurprisingly runs circles around Maserati. The company is a pioneer of the electric car movement, with Tesla reporting CO2 savings of over 3.5 million tons across its global fleet. While electric cars are often criticised for claiming to be eco-friendly yet still relying on the power grid, emitting more CO2 in production and damaging the environment mining aluminium and lithium, charging Tesla batteries using solar power does bring post-production emissions down to a genuine zero.

While Maserati has attempted to push down emissions it simply can't compete with Tesla in terms of eco credentials. The lower-powered twin-turbo V6 petrol Ghibli offers CO2 emissions of 333g per mile, with the higher-powered 404bhp Ghibli S reducing credentials to 258g per mile. Of course, emissions vary between models so it's worth doing your research and finding a balance that works for you. 

Models

Over the decades Maserati has released dozens of models, including the iconic 250F, A6 and Birdcage. Today the brand is turning heads with contemporary models like the Quattroporte full-size luxury sports sedan, GranTurismo and GranCabrio tourers, Levante SUV and Ghibli executive edition.

Tesla has continued to innovate over the years, with the Model S, Model 3 and Model X seen on roads around the world. Of course, the company recently made headlines with its controversial Cybertruck. 

Power 

When it comes to power it's hard to compete with Maserati, which has bought models like the Levante GTS and Trofeo to the road. The hot-blooded pair are the first V8-powered SUVs by the Italian brand and offer serious grunt, with the Levante boasting a Ferrari-powered 550-hp, 3.8-litre twin-scroll turbo V-8 engine.

Tesla holds its own, however, with the latest Model S using an all-electric powertrain and 100 kWh 400 V lithium-ion to offer acceleration of 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds and an impressive 379 miles of range. Of course, there's also the Roadster, which Tesla claims is the fastest car in the world. 

Fuel consumption

Top of the range Maserati models like the Levante GTS and Trofeo average around 21mpg, putting them at the higher end of the fuel consumption scale. In comparison, Teslas are powered by electric batteries which translates to zero fuel consumption. That said, Maserati does offer some more fuel-efficient options, with the Ghibli providing up to 35.7mpg with a diesel engine.

Luxury 

Maserati is synonymous with luxury and no matter how sleek the new Tesla models appear, the Americans simply can't compete with Italian flair. For example, in addition to the base model the new Ghibli is available in the ultra-luxe GranLusso edition featuring a Zegna silk interior. Maserati is also backed by the aura awarded to European luxury brands, which is something Tesla will never achieve.

That said, Tesla has done an incredible job of championing technology which has helped differentiate the company and position it as a luxury brand with exclusivity of a different calibre.  

Space, storage and practicality  

For many drivers, space is a top priority when choosing a car. The Tesla Model X offers best in class cargo room of 2,487 litres with seats folded down, putting it in good standing among other SUVs on the market. There's seating for up to seven adults, plus clever falcon wing doors that enhance access to back row seats and allow for snug parking.

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