2019 Maserati Ghibli Review: Luxury and Performance Redefined

If you’ve always wanted to own a car from the much-loved Trident marque, but couldn’t quite afford the Quattroporte, then here’s your chance. Enter the Maserati Ghibli. Built upon the flexible yet performance-oriented M156 platform, the new Ghibli first went on sale back in 2013. This luxury mid-size sedan has remained more or less the same since its launch over five years ago. However, the Ghibli nameplate itself isn’t all that new, having been on a sabbatical since the mid-90s. Today, the new 2019 Ghibli remains the entry-point for those wishing to begin their journey into the world of Maserati, and is the most affordable model the company produces. It competes in a segment also occupied by the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and Jaguar XF.

Exterior

The Maserati Ghibli is defiantly averse to ugliness. Its design is an uninterrupted blend of smooth lines, gentle curves, and near-perfect body proportions. However, it isn’t a spectacular creation of automotive art, nor does its styling speak to those looking for something unique or contemporary. With the new Ghibli, it seems like Maserati missed a great opportunity to create something truly memorable and long-lasting, at least in terms of its design. The front showcases the usual Maserati family look, featuring a long hood, low nose, wide grille, slender headlamps, and a sporty bumper with a subtle lip spoiler.

The most prominent design aspects along the side profile of the Ghibli include:

• Maserati-trademark triple vents
• Brand logo on the C-pillar
• Chic 18-inch alloy wheels
• Flared fenders
• Sloping roofline
• Bulging rear haunches

The back of the Ghibli is perhaps the blandest part of the whole exterior, featuring a trunk lip spoiler, partial-LED taillights, and quad-exhaust pipes. The 2019 Ghibli measures 4.971 meters in length, 2.100 meters in width, and 1.461 meters in height, with a 2.998-meter wheelbase that is best-in-class, although the 500-liter boot space leaves much to be desired.

Interior

If you’re expecting to be blown away by the Maserati Ghibli’s interior, then worry not, because you won’t be. Just as was the case with its exterior, the Italian automaker seems to have lost another opportunity here. The cabin is genuinely void of any real charisma and it certainly won’t woo you in the manner you’d expect it to. However, it’s not all bad news. The quality of the interior materials has improved significantly from past Maseratis, but the German rivals still outshine it. The leather seats are comfortable, and there’s ample space up front, although the rear bench is notably tight and can feel dark and dingy.

As for creature comforts, the Ghibli is equipped with:

• Automatic and adaptive headlights with washers
• Acoustic windshield
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Keyless-entry with push-button start
• Electronic parking brake
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• Premium sound system
• 8.4-inch touch-infotainment system

Safety features include airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and all-around parking sensors.

Engine and Performance

The most energetic version of the Ghibli, the S Q4, comes with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 410 hp and 550 Nm of torque. Coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system, the S Q4 can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of around 285 km/h.

Verdict

The 2019 Maserati Ghibli range is priced from AED 303,450 for the entry-level model to AED 355,950 for the top trim. Financing options for the entry-level model start from AED 4,730.