Used 2019 Maserati Ghibli

The 2019 Maserati Ghibli is the gateway vehicle into the Italian exotic brand, though with a roughly $75,000 starting price and a Ferrari-built engine, there is very little “entry level” about it. The Maserati Ghibli ostensibly competes with luxury-midsize sedans like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but is far more exclusive and has the kind of panache that comes with the Maserati name. This Italian luxury car also boasts fine craftsmanship, alluring design and an admirable roster of technology and active safety features. But let’s be real: Arguably the best thing about a Ghibli is being able to say you drive a Maserati. While it’s quick and competent, its rivals can roast it off the line for far less money.

With 345 horsepower in base form or 424 in the more potent Ghibli S, this Maserati sedan certainly has the beans to be quick. The quickest, no, but enough to hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds for the former and down to 4.7 seconds for the latter. Its powertrain and exhaust make addicting sounds while getting to work, and this engine can brag of being made by corporate cousin Ferrari. Shifts are smooth via the standard ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The Ghibli’s performance numbers look good, but in reality we found overall it just doesn’t quite stack up, especially for the price. Power is there, but so is turbo lag — that momentary lapse where the engine builds power. The suspension is firm, especially if you opt for the stiffer sport setup. Steering has been improved thanks to the new EPS system, but it still doesn’t match the best. Put together, the Ghibli just doesn’t have the performance cohesiveness or provide the overall driving satisfaction of more mainstream rivals like the BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class — especially performance-oriented Mercedes-AMG variants.

Since its inception a few years ago, the Maserati Ghibli has featured an interior that on one hand flaunts supple leather, elegant Italian craftsmanship and various other nice touches. Other details, such as buttons and switches from the parts bin of its Fiat Chrysler parent, were far less impressive. While examples of those latter traits remain, updates have addressed some of the issues. The tech-forward yet easy-to-use 8.4-inch central touch screen found in other Chrysler group cars — here with a Maserati-specific interface — helped bolster the Ghibli’s infotainment appeal with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. In addition to a redesigned gearshift lever, there’s now a physical button to the left that makes it easy to disable the engine’s fuel-saving start/stop system. The Ghibli’s front seats are plush and well-padded, but rear-seat room remains on the tighter side. At 17.7 cubic feet, the trunk has ample room.

Last year’s update to the Ghibli’s skin has kept things fresh yet elegant. The optional GranLusso trim aims for a classier feel, while the GranSport variants have more aggressive aesthetics. For 2019, both trims now come standard with bright, adaptive full-LED matrix headlights. Another nice touch is the option of soft-close doors. The majority of the Ghibli’s design remains an appealing blend of voluptuous curves and distinctive design elements like a concave grille with the Maserati trident logo prominently in the middle. The upward-rising sill of the rear doors stands out on the outside but can limit visibility within. Quad rear tailpipes emphasize the Ghibli’s performance nature.

ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURES
The Ghibli offers a well-rounded roster of safety and driving aids, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and an active blind-spot monitor that can help steer the car away in the event of a potential collision. For 2019, the Ghibli gains pedestrian detection.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
If you want a Maserati but live where snow and slick roads are part of life, check out the 2019 Ghibli S Q4. In addition to the more powerful engine, you’ll get traction-enhancing all-wheel drive vs. the standard rear-wheel drive.

With its roughly $75,000 starting price, it’s little surprise that a new Maserati Ghibli brings much more than the intrinsic appeal of its Maserati image. Among its standard highlights are leather interior, heated and 12-way power-operated front seats, sunroof, power-adjustable steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, universal garage/gate opener, 19-inch wheels, and a blind-spot monitoring system. The Ghibli’s infotainment system uses an 8.4-inch display that can be controlled via touch or a rotary controller and features navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. Standard audio bundles an 8-speaker/280-watt audio system with USB/SD/aux inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Ghibli S comes with the more potent version of the V6 engine, as does the Ghibli S Q4, which signifies all-wheel drive. The Ghibli GranLusso trim adds luxury amenities such as extended leather interior trim with silk inserts, open-pore wood trim, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel with wood inserts, power-operated rear sun blind, and 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The sportier GranSport stands apart with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles and Skyhook electric damping suspension (both optional on other trims), 20-inch wheels with summer performance tires, and sport-design seats. Options available across trims include a Bowers & Wilkins audiophile sound system, soft-close doors, hands-free power trunk, power-adjustable foot pedals, and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot with 1-year trial. The Driver Assistance Package includes important safety and driving aids like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, surround-view camera system, and forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking.

All versions of the 2019 Ghibli use a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 designed by Maserati and built by Ferrari. The engine comes in your choice of two power outputs. Base models make 345 horsepower, while the Ghibli S puts out 424 horsepower. The Maserati Ghibli’s top speed is 166 mph for the base model and 178 mph for the Ghibli S. All models feature an 8-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential. All-wheel drive (AWD) is only available on the higher-powered Ghibli S model; other variants are rear-wheel drive (RWD). Even in its stronger form, the Ghibli is hardly the most powerful luxury-sports sedan out there, but it’s still respectable. All models use an engine start/stop system that cuts power at idle to save fuel. Speaking of, with a high of 24-mpg highway, the Ghibli isn’t exactly an efficiency champ.

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Ghibli)
345 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Ghibli S, Ghibli S Q4)
424 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
428 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg