The 2020 Maserati Ghibli asks buyers a simple question. How much would you pay to stand out in a crowded parking lot? Despite actually receiving a price cut for 2020, the Italian sports sedan is still a much pricier option than its German competitors. However, the Ghibli does come standard with a twin-turbo V6 built by Ferrari with a throaty exhaust note. It also boasts a striking design that oozes style and luxury features most manufacturers charge extra for. However, is all that worth paying a premium for? Continue reading below and decide for yourself.
What’s Under the Hood: A Twin-Turbo V6 Straight From Maranello
Maserati and Ferrari are both under the Fiat Chrysler umbrella. That explains why the former’s mid-size luxury sedan has an engine built by the latter. The Ghibli’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 comes in two states of tune. Let’s start with the entry-level power plant, which makes 345 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful version, which sits inside the Ghibli S trim, makes 424 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to either the rear wheels or all four via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The entry-level 2020 Maserati Ghibli makes the sprint from 0-to-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 166 mph. The Ghibli S can cover the same distance in 4.9 seconds and tops out at 178 mph. The Ghibli SQ4 (the “Q4” is Maserati speak for a AWD) can do 0-to-60 in 4.7 seconds, making it the quickest Ghibli available. Reviewers say that while the Ghibli offers a sporty ride, its suspension is tuned a bit tight. That can lead to bumpy rides on rough roads.
Fuel Economy
The rear-wheel-drive Ghibli and more powerful Ghibli S both get an EPA estimated 17/24/19 miles per gallon (city, highway, combined). The AWD Ghibli SQ4 naturally drops a few points, posting splits of 16/24/19 MPG. The Ghibli lacks a four-cylinder engine option — something all its competitors offer — which is why it performs so poorly at the pump across the board. Then again, if you’re trying to be frugal on fuel, go buy a Prius.
What’s Inside: Italian Flair, Mid-Grade Materials
While the Ghibli is pricey — more on that in a moment — Maserati does deserve credit for offering heated front seats and a wealth of leather as standard. That’s two features many competitors charge extra for. Leather covers the Ghibli’s seats, steering wheel dash, and doors. Other interior trim options include wood, silk, and carbon fiber. Speaking of seats, the Ghibli comes standard with 12-way power adjustable.
While you might not notice (or care at all), the Ghibli does feature some interior parts that come from less-prestigious FCA models. CarandDriver noted that the window buttons are from the Jeep Cherokee and that the light switches and steering column stalks are borrowed from the Chrysler Town & Country. It’s barely noticeable, but a small knock on the car nevertheless.
Technology and Driver’s Aids
All Ghibli models come standard with an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. An eight-speaker sound system is standard, while top-tier GranLusso and GranSport trims boast an upgraded ten-speaker Harman Kardon setup. A 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system is also available, but only on the top-spec GranLusso and GranSport trims. Standard safety tech and driver’s aids include blind spot monitoring and rear park assist.
Maserati does offer a handful of optional safety and driver’s assistance technology too. Highlights include stop-and-go adaptive, a 360-surround view camera, and a forward collision warning. These features are part of the Driver Assistance Package, which is standard on the GranSport and GranLusso trims. However, it will add $1,600 to the price of Ghibli, Ghibli S, and Ghibli SQ4 trims.
Pricing and Trim Levels: Expensive at Any Spec
The Maserati Ghibli received a dramatic price cut for the 2020 model year. The automaker is knocking $4,490 off the MSRP of all models and $3,400 off the cost of the GranSport and GranLusso trims. Despite cutting the Ghibli’s price by almost $5,000, the sedan still remains one of the priciest options in its segment.
Ghibli
The Ghibli starts at $70,990. For reference, that’s about $15,000 more than a BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Audi A6. However, that extra money does get you a 345-hp twin-turbo V6 built by Ferrari engine makers, a cabin covered in leather, and a pretty good amount of standard tech.
Ghibli S
For those who can’t put a price on power, there’s the Ghibli S, which stickers at $75,990. The Ghibli and Ghibli S are identical when it comes to standard features, with the only differentiator being the tune of their engines. The Ghibli S has the twin-turbo V6 which produces 424 horsepower. It’s an impressive amount, but one that is bested by the Mercedes-AMG E53 (429 horsepower) and the BMW M550i xDrive (523 hp).
Ghibli SQ4
Take the S trim, add AWD, and you get the Ghibli SQ4. With a starting price of $78,490, the Ghibli SQ4 is certainly not cheap. However, Maserati isn’t just asking buyers to pay a premium for all-wheel drive. There’s also that 424-hp engine that’s part of the package. Also remember that the SQ4 is at the top of the range in terms of performance and posts an impressive 0-to-60 mph run of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 178 mph.
GranSport
Maserati doesn’t offer a true performance variant of the Ghibli. However, it does get pretty close with the GranSport model. The Ghibli GranSport comes standard with the automaker’s Skyhook suspension system and adaptive dampers, aluminum paddle shifters, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. Other standard features include Maserati’s Driver Assistance Package and the ten-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The Ghibli GranSport stickers at $78,490 while the more powerful Ghibli S GranSport and Ghibli SQ4 GranSports are priced at $82,790 and $85,290, respectively.
GranLusso
If you price comfort over speed, you’ll want to take a long and hard look at the Ghibli GranLusso. Like the GranSport, this trim level comes standard with a ten-speaker audio system and the Driver Assistance Package. However, it also features a heated wood and leather steering wheel, perforated leather seats, and front seats that are both heated and ventilated.
The GranLusso and GranSport trims are priced identically, which means the cheapest and most luxurious Ghibli on the market stickers for $78,490. Buyers who want a balance of luxury and power will need to pony up $82,790 for the Ghibli S GranLusso or $85,290 for the all-wheel Ghibli SQ4 GranLusso.
The Last Word
The Maserati Ghibli is an intriguing option if you’re in the market for a luxury sedan. It looks better than anything else out there, packs an above-average amount of luxury features and technology, and comes equipped with an engine made by one of the most iconic automakers.
That said, it’s eye-wateringly expensive at pretty much any trim level. Really, the only way to know if the Ghibli is worth $70,000 is to test drive one yourself. On paper, the answer is “probably not.” However, we concede that the Ghibli’s leather-covered cabin and bruising exhaust note could easily change our opinion. Of course, there’s also that extra swagger that comes from parking a Maserati in your driveway. So maybe it’s worth the money after all.
Source: Maserati.com
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