Aston Martin DB12 Vs Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo

When you think about the best supercars on the market, brands like Aston Martin and Maserati come to mind. Both brands are at the top of automotive engineering and regularly break the boundaries of what consumers expect from their vehicles. Owning any of these vehicles will put you in an elite club just for dreamers and high rollers—think Sean Connery in Goldfinger. These cars make a statement without you saying a word, which is one of the main reasons people want to buy them.

So if one best-selling Aston Martin model, like the DB12, is pitted against an uber-popular Maserati, like the Gran Turismo Trofeo, which one would be crowned the ultimate supercar for the elite? 

Aston Martin DB12 Versus Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo: A Comparison

If you have a Trofeo in your garage, you are a certain type of customer. Let me paint you a picture. You love speed and style but prefer making a low-key entrance rather than a scene. When buying your supercar, you choose the car that ensures you are at least six inches away from the tarmac and doesn’t have its engine shoving into your back. You chose an effortless, relaxed style paired with practicality and excellent design. 

Now that we’ve set the scene let’s talk about numbers. The GranTurismo Trofeo has a V6 Nettuno Twin Turbo 3.0-liter engine previously seen in the MC20 Supercar, but it has been slightly toned down. The all-wheel-drive car can now produce 542 horsepower, which is 79 less horsepower than the MC20 and 650 pound-feet of torque. 

Image source: DSC06266-EDITED.jpg

So, how does this fair up to the Aston Martin DB12?

Well, in this round, Aston Martin will take the lead. Under its bonnet, it houses a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine borrowed from Mercedes, capable of producing up to 671 horsepower and reaching dizzying speeds of 202 mph.  The convertible DB12 Volante can go from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Moving from 60-130 mph is a second quicker than a Ferrari Purosangue and almost two seconds faster than its Maserati rival, which is quite a feat.  

The low and sleek exterior of the DB12 gives it an aerodynamic edge over the Trofeo. Adding its classic English design that includes a hand-stitched leather interior and specialized bonded aluminum external structure, it is hard to beat Aston Martin in design and engineering. 

Performance

Both models easily handle winding roads and motorway speeds, gliding through gears without much drama. Unlike past supercars, the DB12 and Trofeo do not have that iconic growl; their turbos gently whistle in the wind, providing their passengers with a relaxing, albeit fast, driving experience. 

Regarding handling, the four-wheel-drive GranTurismo is smooth until you get to corners, which can be tricky to handle. The rear wheels try to drive the car independently, and when they realize they need the front wheels’ help, they end up overdoing the shift. But in everyday driving, it is a dream to use, as the driving is a little lighter than the DB12. The DB12 has aggressive but balanced handling. Its throttle response can be a little too quick, but other than that, Aston Martin has ensured that its customers receive a comfortable ride at all times. 

The interior of the Maserati is taller and larger, with a bigger cargo area, but it is less bespoke than what Aston Martin offers. Four adults can fit nicely into the Trofeo, while kids can go in the backseat of the DB12, but it would not be classed as spacious. Of the two vehicles, the Trofeo is less intimidating as the controls sit lower, it has a wider window area, and the general feel is less grandeur and more GT. 

Image source: DSC09423-scaled.jpg

Overview

In the interior, the DB12 establishes a more personal connection by mounting physical buttons closer to the driver for the controls. The only drawback is that the icons on the display screen are quite small, so, luckily, you are not entirely dependent on them. The cabin is smaller and darker than the Maserati, but what it lacks in space, it makes up for in charisma and an effortlessly cool vibe. 

Overall, these vehicles are at the top of their game. You would be lucky to drive or own either of these. But when compared, the Aston Martin is slightly better. Both cars handle incredibly well and have their own merits, but the feeling of quality and opulence that you feel with the Aston Martin is a feeling that cannot be replicated. This X factor is the reason why Aston Martin is so desirable worldwide.