Maserati Vs Jaguar – Head To Head Comparison
Our focus turns to the UK for the next “Head to Head” matchup, as we compare Italy’s sexist sedans with the refined debonair of British heritage. While Maserati stands for fiery hot-blooded passion and a thrill-seeking performance on the road, Jaguar represents a more refined and elegant presence on the street. Where one brand operates from the heart, the other works from the head. Hot and cold, fire and ice.
Both automakers have similar beginnings. Small engineering companies that move into car building on shoestring budgets. Each with a long illustrious history in motor racing that would spill over into their production values. Both Jaguar and Maserati are a good matchup for this ‘Head to Head’ as both carmakers offer a limited roster of vehicles.
So, let’s take a closer look at these automobiles and how they stack up in several categories as we go Maserati vs Jaguar.
Power & Speed
One major advantage Maserati enjoys is having its “big brother” building great engines for them. Ferrari install all their powertrains and supply them with incredibly powerful engines. Strangely enough, in recent years, Jaguar have removed some of their more powerful engine options and curtailed their overall speed and performance. So, barring, a couple of examples, Maserati was a clear winner here.
Scrolling through the sedans, Jaguar had three models but, by 2022, this was cut down to just one – the XF. Their smallest sedan, the XE, is only 184 inches long and (after removing their V6 option) is fitted with a 2.0 liter turbo that can provide 247 hp or 296 hp and a top speed of just 155 mph.
The XF, with a length of 195.6 inches, is their “mid-size” sedan. Again, after the V6 engine had been discontinued, there was only a 2.0 liter turbo engine with two outputs, 246 hp & 296 hp. This gives the Jaguar XF a top speed of 160 mph.
The now defunct, Jaguar XJ, was their largest sedan as it stretched to 202 inches long. This “big bruiser” came with two engine choice: a 3.0 liter V6 or a 5.0 liter V8. Horsepower began at 340 hp and topped off at 542 hp and produced top speeds of 133 mph or 174 mph depending on tuning.
Compare this with the Maserati sedans of the Ghibli and Quattroporte. The smaller Maserati Ghibli, at 195.7 inches, is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 or 3.8 liter V8 twin turbo. These produce 326 hp up to 572 hp and generate top speeds of 163 mph to 203 mph. Blistering acceleration of 5.6 seconds down to 4.3 seconds over the 0-60 mph dash.
The bigger Maserati Quattroporte, at a length of 207 inches, shares the same engines as the Ghibli. While making horsepower between 345 hp and 572 hp with top speeds of 168 mph all the way up to the ‘Trofeo’s 203 mph while making similar acceleration.
So, whether it is the Maserati Ghibli vs the Jaguar XE or Maserati Ghibli vs Jaguar XF or, even, Maserati Ghibli vs Jaguar XJ, the battle for power and speed is won by the Trident.
QP wins similar battles against the same three Jaguar sedans as it achieves the same performance metrics.
But what about their sportier affair – the grand tourers. With both using a six-speed ZF transmission, this is a fair fight between V8 engines with the Maserati GranTurismo having a 4.2 liter and 4.7 liter variations while the latest model of the Jaguar F Type only offer a 5.9 liter V8 with either output of 444 hp or 575 hp. This propels the F Type to speeds of 186 mph and 200 mph with acceleration from 4.0 seconds to 3.5 seconds.
Another Jaguar model is the (sadly) belated SKR. This GT came in one size only – 5.0 liter V8 giving 550 hp and a top speed of 186 mph. Acceleration through its six-speed gearbox made 4.2 seconds. The winner here is Jaguar clearly.
We can set up Maserati SUV vs Jaguar SUV as we put the Levante up against the F Pace. The Jaguar SUV comes in three engine variations: a 2.0 liter turbo, a 3.0 liter V6 or a 5.0 liter V8. They produce horsepower between 247 hp to 547 hp and top speeds of 135 mph up to 176 mph via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Maserati Levante offers only two engines, the 3.0 liter V6 and a 3.8 liter V8. These can produce output of 345 hp to 590 hp and reach top speeds of 156 mph up to 189 mph and accelerates between 6 seconds down to just 3,9 seconds.
It’s not a fair fight when Maserati manufacture the fastest SUV ever produced. Another win for the Trident.
Handling & Performance
We’ve seen how powerful these cars are and who comes out on top. But how do they fare on the roads? Which models can perform the best over the straight and which can tackle the twist and turns of tight cornering the best? We get behind the wheel and see if Maserati vs Jaguar gives us a winner.
Looking at the Maserati vehicles first and we see a consistent opinion for all their models – excellent handling and driving experience. Whether in one of the sedans, the grand tourer or just the SUV, these Italian road machines show their racing DNA. Driving fast along the straightaway or tackling corners, these automobiles drive as if riding on rails and hold a tight line. Driving assist features allow the driver to attack the roads with an abundance of confidence and ensure the thrill does not go too far.
For the Jaguar lineup the results are mixed. Whereas the sportier models of the XKR, F Type, F Pace and the XJR were found to have excellent handling, the sedans were less so. The XF went more for a sedate limousine setup while the XE was not impressive at all and the XJ was only best in its top end iteration and since discontinued.
For its consistent results, this must go to Maserati as well.
Design Inside & Out
Both brands come up with highly desirable interiors with the Jaguar hitting the perfect balance of subdued refined elegance while the Maserati takes this design point and turns it into high art and statement (albeit for their cheap switchgear). English reserve or Italian passion are the choices here and this will come to your own taste in interiors. Honors even here.
Exterior design takes a similar turn as the UK brand takes a more reserved body shape, for the most part, and creates a dignified air. Only the F Type tries to bring some excitement to the design as it harkens back to the highly iconic E Type Jag of yesteryear.
While Maserati continues its artistic creation by developing a body shape that is sinuous, flowing and exotic. Even the big QP sedan or “boxy” SUV create shapes which are unseen on the roads. This has to be a win for Maserati which gives the Italian a slight victory for this section.
Price & Reliability
Pricing between these two brands is very lopsided as, for the most part, Jaguar is almost half the price of the Maserati. Most of Jaguar’s “base” models are between US$45,000 – $55,000. The XF is only $46K and the F Pace priced at $52K while the only vehicle with a higher base asking price is the F Type which starts at $71K.
Maserati is priced for a higher demographic and seeks sales from a higher grade of buyer. The Ghibli begins the price list at $77K and rises to $97K for the Quattroporte.
If budget is a consideration, then Jaguar is the way to go but. if money is no option, then going to the Maserati showroom is a better choice.
Reliability has been a bane for carmakers over the years as the small operation and lack of funds showed in their final product. But both brands have had substantial investment in recent years (Maserati coming under the wing of FIAT & Ferrari while Jaguar working under Ford then TATA Motors) and this has improved both lines of automobiles.
Maintenance is still an issue for Maserati as the lack of service centers and the scarcity of spare parts makes it a tiresome and expensive task of repairing the Italian brand. Jaguar still has some issues with reliable vehicles though their maintenance costs are more reasonable. If the added cost burning your pocket is an issue, then going to Jaguar may be your better choice.
Our Verdict On Maserati vs Jaguar
In Conclusion, we would have to say Maserati vs Jaguar has been an Italian win. Their outstanding power and performance with a panache for style seems to be a clear winner – so long as you can afford one!
