Maserati Ghibli

The 2022 Maserati Ghibli comes in 3 trim levels, the entry-level GT trim focuses more on interior luxury and creature comforts. It comes with high grain leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, soft closing doors, and a loaded Harman Kardon sound system, all as standard. The Modena trim is a balance between performance and luxury as it retains the same V6 engine of the base trim but gets performance extras like adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and high-performance brakes. 

The top trim Trofeo is an all-out performance beast with a Twin-Turbo V8 engine and gets several performance enhancements like 21-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, and a high-performance driving mode. Being the top trim, it also gets some unique exterior treatments as well. However, the top-end Trofeo trim will be kept for another article. For now, we will be focusing on the base two trims and what they offer to the buyers in comparison to the rivals in the segment.

Apart from the standard features, few optional packages are also part of this sedan. The Climate package for $700 offers heated rear seats, a heated windshield washer, power rear sunblind. The Interior Carbon fiber package, which is available for $1100 comes with carbon-fiber shift paddles, carbon fiber door sills. The Exterior Carbon Fiber ($2500) brings a carbon fiber spoiler, side mirrors, door handles, and B & C pillars. Power adjustable foot pedals are also available for $350.

Which Trim should you buy?

Maserati has shuffled up trim levels a little bit, and that makes the entry-level GT trim a perfect option to consider. At this price point, we get all the luxury features like heated and ventilated seats, high grain leather upholstery, and a premium sound system. The Modena trim will only add some performance extras, and if you are seriously into performance, then the Trofeo trim should be your choice. Otherwise, for luxury seekers, the GT trim has it all.

Release Date

According to the international website of Maserati, the 2022 Ghibli is available to order from July 1st 2021.

The base 2022 Maserati Ghibli GT comes equipped with a 3.0L Twin-turbo V-6 engine that puts out 345 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Modena trim comes with the same engine, but it has been tuned to churn out 424 hp and 428 lb-ft torque. All the engines on the Maserati are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that offers multiple drive modes and manual shifting with behind-the-wheel paddle shifters. RWD drivetrain is the standard choice here, but you can get an AWD in the Modena Q4 trim only. Now the star engine, the Ferrari driven 3.8L V8 engine on the Trofeo trim produces a healthy 580 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. That 8-speed automatic transmission is very smooth in both manual and automatic modes. 

Maserati is trying to make a car that stands on luxury grounds as well as performance. The base engine isn’t super quick, but 5.5 seconds to reach 60 MPH isn’t bad at all. The V8 engine, on the other hand, takes 3.7 seconds, and this is high-performance territory. If you are into showing off your car's power, then aftermarket exhausts are the way to go because the Maserati Ghibli even with the V8 engine drives very calmly. The sedan in its standard configuration reaches a top speed of 166 mph, making it the second-fastest option available in the competition.

The 2022 Maserati Ghibli as a whole is more of a grand tourer rather than a high-performance sports car. It sticks to the road when the roads are dry. The car feels like a coach that runs on tracks as it grips the surface. But be careful when there’s water on the tarmac, the rear end is ready to slip if driven aggressively. As this is a touring car, the suspension setup is softly sprung, and that gives it a very comfortable and pleasant ride quality, but this only applies to the base trim. The Modena and Trofeo get adaptive suspension setup, and the low-profile wheels they come with, make the ride quality stiffer.

The Audi S6 with its similar capacity engine churns out seriously more horsepower compared to all the rivals, and that makes it the quickest in the bunch as well. Mercedes and Audi both have similar acceleration figures but our host car is the slowest among all, more than a second slow. We always say that these one-second differences don’t mean much for an average driver, but yet again, here we are comparing them. When comparing the price tag, the Porsche Panamera is the most expensive option at $88,400.

Fuel economy and top-tier performance don’t go hand in hand, and that’s why there’s a V6 2022 Ghibli GT available as it provides enough horsepower while staying economical. The car returns 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The V8 mill on the Ghibli sees quite a dip in the fuel economy figures but that was expected. IThe V8 on the Trofeo trim gets 13 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. The fuel tank capacity stands at 21.1 gallons, which means even though we have less efficient engines, we still get a reasonable driving range out of it.

The Mercedes-AMG E 53 gets the most out of its fuel, thanks to the EQboost tech. It gets the best MPG figures in all three scenarios, measuring 22 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined. It even has a decently sized fuel tank which makes it a perfect long drive companion. The 2021 Audi S6 gets the lowest MPG in the city, but on highways, it gets much more fuel-efficient. The Porsche Panamera is the least performer on the laid-back highway drives but compensates with the largest fuel tank in the competition.

The 2022 Maserati Ghibli isn’t an affordable car by any means, but the overall interior of the car isn’t strikingly good. It is nice but not to our expectations, maybe because a lot of the revenue went into design and performance bits. Jokes apart, what we want to say is that we have seen much better cabins in cars which cost $50k. The most disappointing thing here is the switchgear is not original. Italians are known for their high-quality bespoke workmanship, but here we get previously used switches from the Jeep Grand Cherokee. A $77k base price, and we get this, not at all satisfactory. However, they have used high grain leather for the dashboard and seats, and solid aluminum for door handles. 

In the top trims, you will get carbon fiber and wood inserts here and there, but that’s it. The front seats are comfortable and are power-adjustable, but we would have loved a little more lateral support. The second row is great for 2 passengers with enough legroom and headroom available but fitting in three would be a squeeze. Having a comfortable and relaxing time inside this cabin isn’t an issue. If you get the base GT trim car, then you won’t feel the burn as much as the one who buys the top trim Trofeo. 

We are all familiar with the way Audi designs their interiors, it has an industrial feel to it with straight lines and no curves. The Virtual cockpit setup on the Audi and the infotainment screens make it look much more modern and high-tech. Mercedes, on the other hand, is continuing its art class with the curvy boldly designed interior. The Porsche Panamera offers rear executive seats as standard, and that means it can seat only 4 people as standard. Standout interior features include:

• Full-grain leather upholstery
• Wood and carbon fiber trims
• 12-way power heated front seats w/ 2-position memory for driver seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Sunroof

What’s there to keep you entertained?

All the trims of the 2022 Maserati Ghibli come with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 10 speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also comes as a part of standard equipment. The touch response is great, and there is no lag while opening or closing apps. We suspect that the screen also comes with an oleophobic coating to prevent smudges and fingerprints. Standout infotainment features include:

• 10.1-inch touch screen
• Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Navigation
• 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

The 2022 Maserati Ghibli has a very subtle yet distinct design language that sets it apart from the competition. The minute attention to detail on the exterior of the car is enough to let anyone know that it’s a Maserati. Just like most of the brands, Maserati has their special grille design, and with that Trident logo, it makes sure its entry doesn’t go unnoticed. There is a sort of anonymity thing going on with this design as the Maserati is only for enthusiasts, and the car usually goes unnoticed on the roads due to its sleek and slender profile. 

The sloping down front end with that unique grille and adaptive LED headlights make the Ghibli look like an angry creature. Similarly, the triple slotted vents on the fender are a part of its attention to detail philosophy. Moreover, those grilles get painted in red on the Trofeo trim, making them more special. The 2022 Maserati Ghibli is exotically dressed, which can mess you up if intimidated for no reason. All in all, it has a soul and a feel to it.

The 2022 Ghibli is the most exotic-looking car in the group. Sure, the AMG E53 and Audi do look sporty and aggressive, but there’s something special about the Maserati’s design, something that only eyes can experience and words can’t explain. The Panamera, on the other hand, is slightly larger and wider than the rest, but still, it looks sleek. When comparing the curb weight, the Maserati is the lightest option at 3,990 lbs. Standout exterior features include:

• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Dual Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher
• Double Wishbone Front Suspension w/Coil Springs
• Chrome grille

Expensive cars don’t get crash tested, and that hasn’t changed with the Maserati Ghibli either. NHTSA hasn’t tested the 2021 Ghibli for its crashworthiness, but the IIHS did in selective categories. In the Moderate front overlap, side, roof, and head restraints, the car has scored a Good rating, and to make things safer further, it comes with a few active safety features as well. Expect the 2022 MY to perform similarly in crash tests. Standout safety features include:

• High-speed adaptive cruise control
• Blindspot monitor
• Surround-view camera system
• Lane keep assist
• Parking sensors
• Automatic emergency braking
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic sign recognition

2022 Maserati Ghibli vs 2022 Porsche Panamera

Porsche cars are always more expensive than their peers, and there are some reasons to back this. The interior on the 2022 Porsche Panamera is much better than on the Ghibli, and it has everything original inside along with top-quality materials. The Panamera’s V6 engine might look underpowered on paper, but the driving dynamics of this car are phenomenal. Overall, it’s pretty easy to choose here. The Maserati Ghibli is cheaper than the Panamera and offers better power and economy, however, the driving dynamics itself make the Panamera a better option between the two.

2022 Maserati Ghibli vs 2021 Audi S6

The 2021 Audi S6 is a much better car overall compared to the Ghibli. The S6 has better interior space, and the overall design and the quality of the cabin are second to none. The tech Audi offers has already set a benchmark in the industry. Audi does have numerous advantages in the engine department, but we felt like the Maserati Ghibli has a better design overall and looks more elegant compared to the straight-line philosophy of the S6. If you want a more practical and comfortable car, then the S6 is the way to go. But if you want to stand out from the crowd and do things differently, then the Ghibli sounds like a fine option. 

2022 Maserati Ghibli vs 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53

The Mercedes AMG E53 is a great performance sedan that offers bits of luxury as well. Financially, the AMG is a little cheaper compared to the Maserati, and even then, offers rock-solid built quality. Also, the fuel efficiency is just great with the Mercedes. The interior of all the Mercedes cars today is very well put together, and the AMG E53 is no different. The overall seating comfort and feel of the cabin are a notch above the Maserati. Where the E53 lacks are the driving comfort, they tuned the suspension for better handling, and so the ride quality suffers even on the softest settings. The Maserati Ghibli looks much more elegant compared to the AMG E 53 and offers a lot of customizability compared to the Merc.

The 2022 Maserati Ghibli is a superb sedan no matter what trim level you get in. Casual drivers will be more than happy with the V6 engine and softly sprung suspension, while performance enthusiasts have a V8 option available. Design-wise, the car looks very elegant and unique unlike any other entry in the segment. If you strictly compare it in the value for money aspect, then this car isn’t made for you. There are better-performing options out there definitely, but the kind of panache and attraction the Maserati Ghibli has is unattainable by the rivals.