2020 Maserati Ghibli Review: Italian Flair With Ferrari Power

Are most mid-size luxury sedans simply too businesslike and serious in their demeanor for your tastes? Well, welcome to the curvaceous and characterful Maserati Ghibli. Typically Italian in its disdain for the generic, the Ghibli is proof that a four-door sedan doesn't have to be boring. A Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 is just as charming as the sensuous exterior, and delivers up to 424 horsepower to provide the Ghibli with spirited performance - and a gorgeous soundtrack to go with it. That said, the fastest Ghibli is still no match for a BMW 5 Series with an M badge on the back, or the quickest of Mercedes-Benz's E-Class range. Similarly, the Germans convincingly trump the Ghibli for interior quality and available technology. So, while this Italian isn't at the cutting edge of its segment, you tend to forget its vices because it's just so desirable, and we're not sure we can say the same about those stuffy Germans.

What's the Price of the 2020 Maserati Ghibli?

2020 Maserati Ghibli pricing begins with the base model, which is presented at an MSRP of $69,490. USA prices quoted here exclude tax, licensing, registration, and Maserati's destination/handling charge of $1,495. Next is the more powerful Ghibli S, which goes on sale for $74,490, followed by three sub models of the Maserati Ghibli, which all cost $76,990: the better-equipped GranLusso, the sportier GranSport, and the S Q4. Moving up a price level, the S GranLusso and S GranSport each cost $81,290. Finally, the S Q4 GranLusso and S Q4 Gransport top the range and cost $83,790 each. By comparison, the BMW M550i xDrive carries an MSRP of $76,650, has well over 500 horsepower from its twin-turbo V8, and is far quicker than the fastest Ghibli.

Handling and Driving Impressions

As you'd expect of a Maserati, the Ghibli feels tauter and more sporty than the average luxury midsize sedan. The steering doesn't exactly fizz with feedback, but it's responsive and allows you to accurately place the sedan through a series of curves. There's also good body control and plenty of grip. These good handling qualities are a bit less impressive on uneven surfaces, though, as the Ghibli is rather sensitive to mid-corner bumps. Fast changes of direction are also met with more reluctance than you'd encounter in a BMW 5 Series.

The Italian's sporting pretensions also result in a rather firm, brittle ride that would quickly send Mercedes-Benz owners running in the opposite direction. Even when switching from Sport to Normal mode, the ride never truly settles and picks up on too many surface imperfections for a car of this kind. Not helping matters are the Maserati's large wheels, which also kick up more road roar than in many competitors. Overall, the Ghibli is a decent drive but just lacks the polish we expect of a high-priced luxury sedan.

Verdict: Is The 2020 Maserati Ghibli A Good Sedan?

Like many Italian cars, the Maserati Ghibli is more of an emotional purchase than the average vehicle. Its curvaceous and distinctive design (especially from the front), eye-catching cabin materials and colors, and gorgeous V6 combine to ensure that you're unlikely to ever feel bored with this Italian. It's also going to be a rare sight, so exclusivity is guaranteed. All of that being said, Maserati hasn't significantly updated the Ghibli in some time. The car's measurable qualities also fall short of the cheaper BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class: pound-for-pound, the Germans are better built, ride more comfortably, are faster, and boast superior on-board tech. Besides the Ghibli's V6, there's actually not much more driving enjoyment on offer than in a 5 Series. So, if you're prepared to admit that this would be a heart-over-head decision, the Ghibli is unlikely to disappoint. But if you want the best luxury car you can get at the price, this isn't it.

What Maserati Ghibli Model Should I Buy?

Considering the Ghibli is already a rather expensive prospect, if you're buying one, then value is unlikely to be the highest priority for you. With that in mind, we'd go for the S GranLusso at $81,290. This is a luxury car, after all, so the GranLusso's more premium interior with extended leather and ventilated seats feels appropriate. Plus, you get many more driver aids and the benefit of the more powerful V6. There may be better luxury cars out there, but this is the best Ghibli.

2020 Maserati Ghibli Comparisons

2020 Maserati Ghibli vs Maserati Quattroporte

Starting at $30,000 more than the Ghibli, the Quattroporte is the bigger of the brand's two four-door sedan model lines. Over ten inches longer than the Ghibli, the Quattroporte cuts an even more imposing figure than the Ghibli and has a roomier cabin. The same enthralling V6 means similar performance, and dynamically, the Quattroporte mimics the Ghibli by offering a reasonably sporty feel, yet lacks the sophistication and smooth ride you'd expect in a luxury sedan. Both cars have handsome cabins that can be specified in opulent leathers, but the basic build quality is still some way off the class best. For the pricey Quattroporte, it's even more of an issue when you're going up against the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The bigger and grander Quattroporte does feel like a step up from the Ghibli, but the difference in ability isn't as large as the price hike would lead you to believe.

2020 Maserati Ghibli vs BMW 5 Series Sedan

The BMW 5 Series resides at the top of the class for its blend of refinement, technology, quality, and admirable handling abilities. From its super-quick infotainment system to the roomy back seat and peerless construction, there's very little that the BMW doesn't do better than the Maserati. At the top-end of the BMW's range, the M550i offers stupendous twin-turbo V8 power and a 0-60 mph time of well under four seconds, easily leaving the fastest Ghibli behind. At $53,900, the 530i also offers efficient performance and more standard driver aids than the base (and more expensive) Ghibli, although this model's turbo-four isn't as exciting as the Maserati's V6. The 5 Series is also rather clinical in its execution, lacking the flair of the Italian both inside and out. The 5 Series is easily the more rational choice between these two, but if you've fallen for the Ghibli's alluring looks, even an utterly competent BMW may not be enough to change your mind.