The sixth-generation Maserati Quattroporte arrived in 2013 as a significant improvement over its predecessor, which was sold for around a decade with minor updates. Although it used the same platform as the fifth-gen car, its styling was closely related to the GranTurismo's, while the interior gained updated materials and brand-new technology. Its drivetrains were also a major step forward, with Maserati dropping both the 4.7-liter V-8 in favor of a turbocharged, 3.8-liter, while also adding a 3.0-liter V-6. For the first time, the Quattroporte also gained a diesel engine, in the form of a 3.0-liter V-6.

After a little more than three years on the market, Maserati's flagship sedan received its mid-cycle facelift. Unlike its predecessor, which didn't get comprehensive updates until it was phased out, the sixth-gen sedan gained not only a makeover inside and out, but also an equipment update that includes two new trim levels and a lot of extra features as standard equipment. The drivetrain is the only department that carried over unchanged, but that's not something we complain about, as the Quattroporte is powerful and fast enough as it is.

The updated four-door will hit the market in June 2016 and will likely remain in dealerships for at least three years. What has changed, how much does it cost, and how does it stack against the competition? Keep reading to find out.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte.

Exterior

Maserati isn't the kind of company that puts too much effort in its facelifts styling-wise, but the Quattroporte seems to be an exception from that rule. The limousine's front fascia received quite a lot of attention, gaining not only a new bumper, but a revised grille too. The lower section looks more aggressive thanks to the larger side vents and the thinner cut just above the splitter. The chrome strips just above the former give it a more elegant appearance. The GTS, on the other hand, sports isolated side intakes and lower air vent, with the latter being thicker than on the standard model. Both use a honeycomb-style mesh and matte black trim.

The grille features a new design with pointed edges and a more rounded lower section. While the previous model had seven chrome slats on each side of the "Trident" emblem, the facelift sedan comes with just five. However, the elements are now thicker and angled toward the back, giving the grille a menacing shark-nose effect. Behind those slats lurks an electrically adjustable Air Shutter, which optimizes control of fluid temperature and improves aerodynamic drag by 10 percent.

Other changes include matte black side skirts and restyled side mirrors with matte black inserts.

More changes come with the new trim levels designed specifically for the Quattroporte. Designed for customers looking for a more stylish appearance, the GranLusso package adds chrome bumper inserts, body-colored lower front bumper elements, a body-colored rear spoiler, and 20-inch Mercurio, wheels with black calipers.

Moving over to the sportier GranSport trim, it features a revised rear bumper with black inserts above the exhaust pipes, Piano Black spoiler, 21-inch Titano rims with red brake calipers, and blue inserts in the front "Trident" badge and wheel center caps.

Optionally, GranSport buyers can select the Exterior Carbon Pack, which adds carbon-fiber mirror caps, door handles, B-pillar cover, and bumper inserts.

Interior

Inside, the Quattroporte has been refined and updated to Maserati's latest technology. While the upper section of the dashboard and the instrument cluster remained unchanged, the sedan did get a larger, 8.4-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system and revised lower center stack and center console. There's a new console for climate control with fewer buttons and a cleaner design, and a rotary control behind the gearshift for volume and infotainment functions. The two storage compartments on the center console have also been redesigned, but the lids suggest nothing changes as far as roominess goes.

When it comes to technology, the Quattroporte gained an updated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as an Air Quality Sensor. The latter combines an intelligent sensor and a signal analysis system that calculates the external pollution levels and prevents polluted air and toxic gases from entering the cabin. Although not a new feature for the auto industry -- Mercedes-Benz has been offering it for years now -- it's a great addition to a luxury sedan such as the Quattroporte.

Depending on the trim level, the Italian sedan can boast several extra premium features. Opt for the GranLusso model and you get the Ermenegildo Zegna Edition interior with exclusive silk fabric on the seats, door, headliner and sun visors, and open pore Radica wood on the dashboard. The leather steering wheel also gets wooden inserts. Other features include power foot pedals, electric rear sunblind, four-zone air-conditioning, heated rear seat, and keyless entry. Buyers that go with the GranSport trim get new seats with sculpture profiles for spirited driving, a sports steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles, and stainless steel sports pedals.

Drivetrain

Nothing much has changed under the hood, where the sixth-generation Quattroporte remained faithful to its original powerplants. The gasoline range begins with the Ferrari-developed, 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 404 horsepower and 406 pound-feet in the Quattroporte S. While the output and the 0-to-62 mph sprint of 5.1 seconds remained unchanged, top speed has been increased from 177 to 177.7 mph due to improved aerodynamics. The same unit can be had with all-wheel drive in the S Q4 model.

The range-topping Quattroporte is the GTS, powered by a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V-8. Also developed by Ferrari, it pumps out 523 horses and 479 pound-feet with an overboost function for 524 pound-feet. Available in RWD only, the GTS needs 4.7 seconds to hit 62 mph toward a top speed of 192.6 mph, up from 190.7 mph.

Finally, there's the Quattroporte Diesel with its turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 good for 271 horsepower and 443 pound-feet. The least quicker version of the sedan, the diesel, hits 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and tops out at 156.5 mph instead of 155.3 mph.

All engines mate to the same ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The electronically-controlled Skyhook shock absorbers and aluminum suspension also carried over unchanged.

Safety

In the safety department, the updated Quattroporte is available with an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems package. The bundle includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning with Advanced Brake Assist and Automated Emergency Braking. An additional new Surround View Camera is also available as an option in combination with the Driver Assistance package.

These are offered in addition to the standard front-impact, side-impact, and overhead airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control system, and seatbelt pretensioners.

Prices

Pricing for the new Quattroporte starts from £70,270 in the United Kingdom, which is a £705 increase over the previous model. For that amount, you get the base Diesel version. Upgrade to the GranLusso or GranSport Diesel and the sticker jumps to £78,670. Next up is the Quattroporte S, priced from £82,045, a £375 increase. The GranLusso and GranSport upgrade for this trim cost £8,400 each, leading to a grand total of £90,445. Lastly, the GTS model starts from £115,040 in either trim. This version carries the biggest price increase at £3,927.

There is no U.S. pricing information as of this writing, but based on the mild increases above, the Quattroporte range should start from around $100,900 compared to this years $100,500 sticker. The all-wheel drive model should retail from around $108,500, while the GTS should fetch about $146,500 before options. The diesel model isn't offered in North America and that's not likely to change with the facelift.

UK Prices

Competition

Porsche Panamera

Although it is around 12-inches shorter than the Quattroporte, the Panamera serves the same purpose as the Italian sedan. It was designed to be comfortable, luxurious, and at the same time provide sports car-like performance. The Panamera's main advantage over the Quattroporte -- besides the Porsche badge, that is! -- is the comprehensive engine offering that includes anything from gasoline to diesel and hybrid options. Gasoline choices include a 3.6-liter V-6 with 310 horsepower, a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 with 420 horses, and the mighty 4.8-liter V-8 with up to 570 horsepower in the Turbo S model. There's also a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel rated at 263 horses and a hybrid model good for 416 horses. The German sedan is also significantly more affordable than the Maserati, starting from $78,100 in the U.S. The Hybrid retails from $93,200, the GTS from $113,400, and the Turbo $141,300. On the flipside, a Turbo S model will set you back at least $180,300 before options.

Find out more about the Porsche Panamera here.

Aston Martin Rapide

Launched in 2010 as a successor to the iconic Lagonda, the Rapide nameplate is quite new compared to the Quattroporte, but it has already made a name for itself in the luxury market. Not only it has the sportiest design in this comparison, but it's also the only car here to come with a V-12 engine under the hood. The naturally aspirated 5.9-liter mill cranks out 552 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, enabling the sporty sedan to hit 60 mph from a standing start in only 4.2 seconds. While not as powerful as the turbocharged Panamera, it trumps the Quattroporte GTS in just about any department. However, the Rapide is significantly more expensive than the Italian sedan, fetching in excess of $200,000 before options.

Read more about the Aston Martin Rapide here.

Conclusion

The Quattroporte has enjoyed tremendous success since the sixth-generation model arrived in 2013 due to its impressive interior features, sporty design based on the GranTurismo coupe, and varied engine options that include both V-6 and V-8 powerplants, and, for the first time, an efficient oil burner. Maserati wants to build on the momentum with the upgraded infotainment system and the new trim levels and, given the minor price hike, the sedan's popularity is likely to continue among luxury customers. Quattroporte sales might dwindle a bit when the next-generation Panamera arrives in 2017, but the premium sedan should remain one of Maserati's best-selling vehicles until the Levante SUV gains more traction.