2022 Maserati Ghibli

Maserati Ghibli. It sounds evocative, and that’s by design. The Ghibli name has been applied to a disparate trio of vehicles over the past 55 years years, but the most famous is the exotic original, a 2+2 grand tourer built from 1967 to 1973 and arguably one of the make’s most beautiful cars. From 1992 to 1998, Maserati decided to mine that magic on a two-door compact sports coupe derived from the unloved BiTurbo of the eighties, a less distinguished effort. In 2013, it tried again with this muscular sedan, which has gone mostly unchanged since.

As a midsize luxury sport sedan (195.7 inches), its main competition includes a trio of German sport sedans, all of which offer a massively up-powered variant. These include the handsome and vault-like Mercedes-Benz E-Class and its Mercedes-AMG E63 variant, the Mercedes-AMG GT four-door coupe, the svelte but precise Audi A6 and S6, and the technologically advanced, perhaps tech-laden BMW 5 Series M5. Porsche’s Panamera is another direct rival, although all of these cars are feeling the pinch from high-speed electrics like the Audi e-tron GT.

On the market a long time now, the still-pretty Ghibli is now available in just three trim options. The base GT emphasizes more of a relaxed luxurious experience, the mid-level Modena adds more power and performance features. The top-dog Ghibli Trofeo is Maserati’s attempt at a super-sport sedan.

The GT thus features the lowest power output but is no slouch, with a twin-turbocharged 345 horsepower 3.0-liter V6, an 8-speed automatic, and rear-wheel drive. The Modena ups the power of this same motor, providing 424 horsepower from the same 3.0-liter V6, and is paired with an 8-speed automatic driving the rear wheels in base form or with all-wheel drive (AWD) as a $2,600 upsell in the Q4 version. The Trofeo features a Ferrari-sourced, twin-turbocharged, 580 horsepower 3.8-liter V8, driving the rear wheels only through an 8-speed automatic. Paddle shifters for selecting gears manually are standard on all models. 

For $4,800, one can equip a GT with a handsome silk-and-leather seating package from famed Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna. A more comprehensive Zegna package for the Modena adds $13,800 to the price but includes the $700 climate package and the $4,000 Sportivo Package, which upgrades the seats, the suspension, the pedals, and the headlamps. A Comfort and Convenience Package for both trims is $1,500 and includes niceties like soft-close doors, a hands-free power trunk, power-adjustable foot pedals, double-paned rear glass, and front and rear parking sensors.

The Trofeo includes all of the above packages save the Zegna seating. The only option is whether to add a Carbon Fiber Package, which, for $1,100, replaces the metal steering-column mounted shift paddles with pricey plastic and slathers this same material on the door sills. If even more carbon is desired, a $2,500 Full Carbon Kit adds the woven fiber to the door handles, door mirrors, front bumper, and the pillar between the front and rear doors. The Ghibli may be graying but it certainly offers plenty of style and speed.

Performance: 12/15

The base powertrain in the $77,695 GT is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and driving the rear wheels. It’s good for a 5.5-second run from zero-sixty mph and a top speed of 166 mph.

The $82,395 Modena comes with an up-powered version of that 3.0-liter engine, producing 424 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and driving the rear wheels. That version accelerates from 0-60 mph in claimed 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 178 mph. The Modena is also available with all-wheel drive (Q4 in Maserati parlance.) The extra grip decreases the 0-60 time to 4.9 seconds. Top speed remains the same.

The $115,795 Trofeo features a Ferrari-built, twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 producing 580 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. An 8-speed ZF automatic drives the rear wheels, making it difficult to put all that power down. Thus, the 0-60 time is just 4.0 seconds, though top speed increases to a wild 203 mph.

All the Trofeo’s competitors are quicker from 0-60, though perhaps less involved. The lack of an all-wheel drive option here is a definite shortcoming, especially since competitors like the Mercedes-AMG E63, BMW M5, and Audi S6 all have it, as does the SUV version of the Ghibli Trofeo, the Levante Trofeo. 

As bonkers and tail-waggingly happy as the Trofeo is, the mid-range Modena is likely the sweet spot.  

Fuel Economy: 6/15

The Ghibli suffers in the fuel economy department. The V6 returns 18 mpg city, 25 highway and 20 combined, while the Trofeo V8 models 13 mpg city, 20 highway and 16 combined. The average combined fuel economy for all Ghibli models is 18.75 mpg. In comparison, the average combined fuel economy for all Mercedes E-Class models is 24.3 mpg, the average combined fuel economy for all BMW 5-Series models is 21.4 mpg, and the average combined fuel economy for all Audi A6 models is 22.4 mpg.

The Ghibli thus sits at the bottom of its competitive set in terms of efficiency. However, it should be noted that all of the above brands offer a less expensive and lower-power 4-cylinder option in their models while the Ghibli does not, which weights things in their favor.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 12/15

The 2022 Maserati Ghibli has not been crash tested by NHTSA or IIHS. The last time the model was tested, in 2018, it received good ratings overall from IIHS. 

However, the Ghibli does have a great deal of onboard safety and driver assistance technology. It has eight airbags. Moreover, its standard suite of advanced driver assistance systems includes desirable and useful features such as forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, automatic high beam headlights, blind spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. No additional safety packages are on offer.

All Ghiblis feature a crisp 10.1” touchscreen in the central infotainment area. Switches handle some climate adjustment settings like increasing or decreasing cabin temperature, allowing for changes without a driver taking their eyes off the road. But too many other simple functions are buried in the touchscreen, requiring multiple stabs at the display to perform tasks like turning on the seat heaters.

Comfort & Room: 7/15

Despite featuring a longer wheelbase than some of its competitors, the rear seats of the Ghibli are a bit more cramped. However, the seat materials, with the availability of leather/silk blends, make the surfaces seems special.

Sadly, seat massagers are not available in any seating position, an unfortunate omission as all competitors offer them, even though they’re a costly option. Seat heaters are available in all four positions, though they are a plus-cost option in the rear with the $700 climate package, which also includes a power rear sunshade and heated windshield washer nozzles.

Infotainment: 13/15

All Ghiblis come standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, two USB ports, eight speakers, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, a small digital display sits between a standard and legible analog tachometer and speedometer.

A Harmon-Kardon stereo with ten speakers is an $1,100 option on the GT and Modena models. It is standard on the Trofeo. A Bowers and Wilkins system with fifteen speakers is available for $2500 on all models.

To add to occupants’ device charging options, a rear center armrest with a 12-volt outlet and USB port is a $140 option on all models. Wireless charging is a $250 option.

Annoyingly, some functions, like the seat and steering wheel heating, are embedded in the touchscreen and are challenging to operate on the go. Hard switches would be superior. Also, a head-up display is unavailable, while all competitors offer it.

Cargo Space & Storage: 14/15

Trunk space, at 17.7 cubic-feet is superior to all the Ghibli’s competitors except for the 2022 5 Series, which has 18.7 cubic feet. (The new 2023 5 series takes a hit and only offers 14 cubic feet.) If you want anything larger than this in terms of cargo space, you’ll have to go electric, because only the Tesla S and Lucid Air have larger trunks.

Useful bins and storage are available throughout the cabin, including a thoughtful slide-out tray for wireless charging. Unfortunately, this tray doesn’t position all phones on the wireless charger, causing them to jounce around and the display to constantly toggle between showing that the phone is charging or not charging.

Style & Design: 9/10

The Ghibli is a standout in a staid category; it’s extroverted and a bit emotional, more of a competitor for fast-backed lookers like the Audi A7 than standard midsize German fare.

The quality of the interior materials is high and can escalate from there with optional quilted leathers and silk and leather seating surfaces. Even carbon fiber trim somehow looks classy in this vehicle. Even with all its gilding, the aging interior is a bit bland and slightly retro compared to the whiz-bangery offered by the competition. Conversely, this can be a positive if a consumer finds whiz-bangery alienating.

Is the 2022 Maserati Ghibli worth it? Which Ghibli is the Best Value?  

The Ghibli is an aging model, but it has aged well. Much of this has to do with its muscular and distinctive good looks, its uniqueness within the category, and its rowdy powertrain choices, which forego the quietude of competitors in favor of a more boisterous and emotional experience. 

Where the Germans present a strong case for the triumphant nature of technology and innovation, the Ghibli is all about the experience. Of course, this comes at a price. The Ghibli is significantly more expensive than its primary German competitors, though it offers more power and standard features. It also suffers from considerably worse fuel economy. The choice comes down to personal taste. But the Modena seems to be the sweet spot of the lineup, with the more potent version of the twin-turbocharged V6 and the availability of all-wheel drive.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Maserati Ghibli?

Like most vehicles in this segment, insuring the Ghibli is relatively expensive. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $3,858 for the base sedan, increasing premiums commensurate with trim performance and options. BMW’s 540i xDrive averages $2,891 while the high-performance M5 runs $4,463; the Mercedes E-class averages $2,800 for the non-performance variants, while the Audi A6 averages $2,940 and $3,310 for the S6. But that averages all fifty states. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.