When it comes to Italian vehicles, clichés abound, the more favorable ones being the capacity to pour supercar spirit into superminis, an easy sense of style, and, of course, making strictly descriptive words seem seductive and exotic. Because, let’s face it, the phrase “Maserati four-door” was never going to sound hip in English.
Of course, certain negative stereotypes regarding Italian automobiles persist to this day. It’s not that other countries’ automobiles haven’t had difficulties with rust, dependability, and overall build quality throughout the years, but the Italians have found these connotations more difficult to shake, given the apparent overlap with wider (and sometimes incorrect) cultural preconceptions. Of course, when seen more positively, this affinity with the idealized national attitude is precisely what appeals to many followers. And what distinguishes Italian automobiles from those manufactured elsewhere on the globe? Here are a few of our recent favorites in the category.
2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2023 is a direct challenger to some of the most lauded sedans on the market in the United States. To mention a few, the five-passenger four-door competes with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4. In the face of such intense competition, the Giulia focuses on performance handling, robust acceleration, and an interior that reflects its Italian history. It has more basic horsepower than most competitors, and the Quadrifoglio ultra-performance edition has an all-aluminum 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 505 horsepower.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is one of the smallest vehicles in its class, measuring 3 inches less than the BMW 3 Series and 5 inches less than the Audi A4. Because of this, as well as its rear-wheel-drive construction, the Giulia lacks the interior spaciousness that some of its competitors provide. Still, the Giulia is enough for a lengthy journey with four people aboard. It’s also more enjoyable to drive than some of its competitors. If you like a softer ride, try the C-Class; it’s sportier than previous C-Classes, but it’s still a little more comfortable than the Giulia. The Veloce RWD, which begins at $51,515 and comes with a 2.0L I4 Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive, is the most popular type. This Giulia is expected to get 24 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.
2023 Maserati Ghibli
The 2023 Maserati Ghibli prioritizes the driver, giving thrilling input through its gravelly engine sounds, driving qualities, and expanding exhaust. The flowing lines of the Ghibli give it an elegant look while maintaining an aggressive, race-oriented posture. The cabin has just been updated and looks and feels high-end, with all of the creature comforts expected in a luxury car. The Maserati Ghibli is a five-seater with four trim options. The Modena Q4 AWD, which begins at $93,095 and comes with a 3.0L V6 Turbo engine and All Wheel Drive, is the most popular type. This Ghibli is estimated to deliver 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.
In an era when many sedans have sacrificed driving pleasure for fuel efficiency and technology, the Maserati Ghibli has remained loyal to its roots as a four-door sports vehicle. The celebrated Italian carmaker infuses its midsize sedan with passion and lots of horsepower, imbuing it with exhilarating acceleration and a dynamic personality. Configuration options are nearly limitless, with exquisite Italian leathers and woods swiftly raising the price. Top competitors are more contemporary, economical, and practical, but the Ghibli is an excellent introduction to the passion and mysticism of Italian driving.
2023 Ferrari Portofino M
For first-time Ferrari customers, the Ferrari Portofino M is a terrific option. It is the most economical option in the “Prancing Horse” stables, starting at $227,000, but it comes with a 612-horsepower V8, stunning Italian style, and a musical exhaust sound. The retractable hardtop on the Portofino M offers more protection in inclement weather and superior noise insulation than a soft-top convertible. The Ferrari Portofino M is a four-seater with one trim level. The Convertible, which starts at $230,950 and comes with a 3.9L V8 Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive, is the most popular style. This Portofino M is estimated to deliver 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.
The Portofino M, a gorgeous power-hardtop convertible with all the speed and flair exotic consumers need, may be the least costly new Ferrari, but it is far from cheap. It may be customized in a variety of colors to suit the owners’ preferences. The Portofino M has one of the most practical cabins in its class, with a four-seat configuration and simple controls. The Portofino M’s chassis provides great balance and grip for driving enjoyment beneath its roomy passenger compartment. The Ferrari Portofino M is a surprisingly rational supercar thanks to its modest price and adaptable features.
2023 Maserati MC20
The Maserati MC20 is a supercar from Italy with exceptional acceleration and handling. The MC20 is a real collector’s item due to its high costs and restricted manufacturing quantities. The Maserati MC20 is a two-seater with only one trim level. The Coupe, which starts at $215,995 and comes with a 3.0L V6 Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive, is the most popular type. This MC20 is expected to get 15 MPG in town and 25 MPG on the interstate.
The Maserati MC20 is just what you’d expect from a sleek Italian supercar, with head-turning good looks and more performance than you’ll ever need. A 621-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine sits right below the passenger compartment and offers spine-tingling performance. The MC20 feels like a street-friendly F1 vehicle thanks to its precise handling and lightweight carbon-fiber structure. It’s also more pleasant to drive than a racer, and Maserati provides a few driver-assistance features. Those elements are optional, so you may only use them if you want to avoid any electronic assistance interfering with the purity of the experience. The alchemy changed much. The tiny, mid-mounted 3.9-liter V-8 engine produces 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels thanks to two turbos. It’s a blast to drive and insanely quick, with the kind of performance you’d expect from an exotic mid-engine machine. The power seems limitless, the steering is light but accurate, the carbon-ceramic brakes are powerful, and the suspension can suck up apexes while remaining comfortable. The F8 is even ready for a good time on the track, thanks to clever software that sharpens up driver inputs to allow for quick, smooth drifts. Because it’s a Ferrari, purchasers may customize it however they want, but all 2023 vehicles will be constructed as convertible Spiders; the Tributo coupe is now history.
The Ferrari F8 is a direct descendent of the mid-engined automotive monarchy, with ancestors including modern classics such as the Ferrari 360, 430, and 458. The F8 is quicker and more enjoyable to drive than its predecessors, raising the bar for supercar performance to startling new heights. The Ferrari F8 is a two-seat automobile with two trim options. The Tributo, which begins at $283,950 and comes with a 3.9L V8 Twin-Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive, is the most popular style. This F8 is estimated to deliver 15 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway.
2023 Ferrari 296GTB
The 296GTB coupe and 296GTS convertible use hybrid technology, yet they nevertheless provide a familiar and family Ferrari experience with enormous power, light handling, superb steering, powerful brakes, and thrilling speed. Their gas-powered propulsion comes from a small, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6—a first for a Ferrari production vehicle—coupled to a battery-fed drive motor sandwiched between the engine block and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. These many components operate in tandem to achieve a C/D-estimated sub-three-second 60-mph pace and a quarter-mile sprint time of fewer than ten seconds. Aside from being a technical marvel, this Italian coupe-and-convertible pair offers the same high level of customization that makes owning one of these cars so remarkable.
The Ferrari 296 GTB is a two-seater with only one trim level. The GTB Coupe, which begins at $325,350 and comes with a plug-in hybrid 2.9L V6 Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive, is the most popular style. This 296 GTB is expected to get 18 MPG combined.
2023 Lamborghini Huracan
The Lamborghini Huracán is still crazy on wheels ten years later, owing to its gorgeous V-10 engine, knife-edge handling, and the kind of visual presence that controls whatever cars-and-coffee it rumbles into. It competes against a difficult field of exotic competitors, including the Ferrari F8 Tributo 296 GTB6 GTB and Superfast; the and the Ast; McLaren 765LT and 720S; and the Aston Martin DBS, yet it’s as exciting. The Huracán is the only car in that extraterrestrial group powered by a naturally aspirated V-10, which adds a lot of auditory character to the Lambo’s allure. Though it’s old in supercar terms—many of its early competitors have been replaced by newer models—the Huracán has been meticulously fine-tuned over the years. Lamborghini keeps reviving it with extremely coveted versions, including an all-new Tecnica model for 2023. That is why we have compared the Huracán to “an aging rocker still selling out stadiums.” It may be ancient, but it is as important and fascinating as ever.
The Lamborghini Huracan is a two-seater with two trim levels. The EVO Spyder AWD, which begins at $271,695 and comes with a 5.2-liter V10 engine and all-wheel drive, is the most popular model. This Huracan is expected to get 13 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway.
2023 Lamborghini Aventador
The 2022 Lamborghini Aventador is the epitome of a hypercar, with a noisy 769-hp V-12 engine and a unique appearance. While competitors like the Ferrari SF90 embrace electrification, the Lamborghini’s 12-cylinder engine swills fuel like a frat dude chugging a beer. Its scissor doors, broad and low proportions, and extensively vented bodywork function as a mobile theater presenting the Fast and Furious films. Its highly configurable interior accommodates two passengers, although there is very little space for miscellaneous stuff. With a jab of their right foot, the driver may trigger the Aventador’s screeching soundtrack or enjoy the big machine’s startling agility by turning the tiller. While the 2022 Aventador’s outdated automatic transmission is nearly as infuriating as the roadster’s time-consuming roof removal, these are minor annoyances compared to the car’s otherwise great abilities and distinctive look.
The Lamborghini Aventador is a two-seater with one trim level. The SVJ Coupe, which begins at $518,695 and comes with a 6.5L V12 engine and all-wheel drive, is the most popular style. This Aventador is expected to get 9 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on the highway.
