The Maserati Ghibli is a true driver's car that offers stunning Italian styling, an athletic stance, and the performance to match both. The Ghibli's 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 shines, even at its most basic, producing 345 horsepower and accelerating Maserati's entry-level sedan to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 166 mph.
First introduced in 1966, the Ghibli name has flitted in and out of the Maserati lineup over the years before returning in 2013 as a sedan. Despite the current car's age, Maserati's changes for 2017 are modest and amount to a few new amenities and a pair of new packages.
What's New for 2017
Maserati updated its infotainment system for 2017, complementing the touchscreen functionality with a dial controller, and adding Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The new Sport Package adds Maserati's Skyhook adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, remote start, a sport steering wheel, and 12-way power sport seats. The Luxury Package gets 19-inch alloys, upgraded leather upholstery, and 12-way power seats.
Choosing Your Maserati Ghibli
All Ghibli's use a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, Ferrari-built V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While base models produce 345 hp, both the rear-wheel-drive S and and all-wheel-drive S Q4 models pack 404 ponies – the latter two trims can reach 60 in 4.9 and 4.7 seconds respectively.
Suitably equipped for the business of driving, the Ghibli comes standard with leather upholstery and a Harman Kardon stereo, in case owner's get tired of listening to the sonorous V6 engine. On the safety front, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning are optional extras, as they are on a number of Fiat Chrysler products.
The Ghibli starts at $71,600.
Base
The most affordable Ghibli starts at $71,600, but has a list of standard equipment suitable for that price tag. All Ghiblis, for example, come standard with heated, 12-way seats, gorgeous leather upholstery, an 8.4-inch Maserati Touch Control Plus infotainment system, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 19-inch wheels.
The options list is extensive, and with a small amount of effort will drive the Ghibli's starting price up around $90,000. Highlights include Skyhook electronic damper control for $2,000, a 15-speaker Bowers and Wilkins stereo with 1,280 watts of power for $5,200, and the Luxury Zegna Package (blind-spot monitoring, power trunk, front and rear parking sensors, remote start, and front seat ventilation).
The price for the Zegna Package, along with the more lightly equipped Luxury Package, varies depending on what kind of optional equipment the customer goes with. Starting at a still-pricey $7,450, this high-end equipment group can cost up to $12,100 if you add the appropriate options.
S
Aside from introducing the 404-hp engine, the $77,200 Ghibli S takes a number of the standard model's options (Skyhook adaptive suspension, paddle shifters, sport pedals, upgraded 12-way seats, blind-spot monitoring, and push-button start) and throws them together in a $3,400 Sport Package. The rest of the options catalog is broadly similar to the base Ghibli.
S Q4
The all-wheel-drive Ghibli S Q4 starts at $79,700, and aside from the driving four wheels instead of two, it opens up a few optional extras, including a $500 heated steering wheel, a $700 hands-free trunk, and a $200 headlight-washing system.
The Ghibli is a beautiful, fun-to-drive luxury/sports sedan. The price to upgrade to the 404-horsepower engine – $5,600 – is reasonable enough at this price point that it's easy to recommend. But be careful with the options and packages, because it's easy to get into trouble with a few of the pricier features.