Since debuting in 2013, the Maserati Ghibli has only been treated to minor updates hardly more exciting than new wood trims and wheel designs. At first glance, this trend looked to be continuing with the 2020 Maserati Ghibli, but real change is finally coming.

Maserati is on a quest to electrify its lineup, and the Ghibli is slated to be the first of its models to adopt a hybrid-electric powertrain. A cosmetic face-lift is likely to accompany the update.

As of this writing, the Trident brand is being rather coy about its time line. Press releases don't specify when in 2020 the hybrid Ghibli will be revealed. Maserati's website doesn't mention the upcoming changes. There's also no word on whether the hybrid powertrain will replace or augment the current gas V6.

Taking all this into account, we'd wager that the electric Ghibli won't be a reality until the second half of 2020, or perhaps as an early 2021 model. Keep an eye out for its official release in the coming months.

The Maserati Ghibli is available in two trims: Ghibli and S. The S variant is also available with all-wheel drive in a model called the Ghibli S Q4. Pricing starts at $70,985 including destination for the base model and climbs to $75,985 for the S.

Both models can be further outfitted with GranSport or GranLusso sub-trims, which endow the Ghibli with either a sporty vibe or a luxury vibe, respectively. Details on their exact equipment can be found further along in this overview.

Forgetting all the to-do about impending electrification, the current Ghibli soldiers on with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that's forged in no less sacred a place than Ferrari's own factory.

An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while upgrading the Ghibli S with the Q4 all-wheel-drive system costs $2,500.

With the 345-horsepower engine, the Ghibli goes from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds, with an eventual top speed of 166 mph. S models are a little hastier, doing the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.9 seconds and capable of a 178 mph top speed.

These acceleration numbers fall short of what the segment heavyweights are boasting: similarly-priced cars like the BMW M550i and Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 are nowadays running sub-four-second 0-60 times.

Performance-wise, a fairer comparison would be the BMW 540i and Mercedes E 450 – but those are also significantly cheaper than the Ghibli. Perhaps the forthcoming hybrid powertrain will return the performance mantle to the exotic Italian.

The Ghibli is a five-passenger mid-size sedan. It's long hood and rear-wheel-drive design means the back seat is tight: just 33 inches of legroom are available to second-row occupants. This is well shy of other mid-size luxury sedans, which generally offer 35 to 37 inches.

At 18 cubic feet of trunk space, the Ghibli's cargo space is on par for the segment. The rear seats fold down for additional space, allowing long objects or excess cargo to be easily loaded.

A lot of luxury automakers are stingy with their safety equipment, and Maserati is no exception. Hardly any driver assist safety systems are found on the Ghibli's standard equipment list. Base models only get automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors front and rear.

The available $1,600 Driver Assistance Package rectifies all this. It includes adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Being a product of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Ghibli uses the corporate Uconnect infotainment system housed in an 8.4-inch touchscreen. It might look similar to what's found in the lower-priced FCA cars, but the system has long been lauded as one of the better infotainment softwares out there.

It also comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

Standard features on the base Maserati Ghibli include leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated 12-way power front seats, and rain-sensing wipers. There's also keyless entry, an auto-dimming mirror, and bi-xenon headlights. Staggered 19-inch wheels and chrome trim decorate the exterior.

The $550 Climate Package brings heated rear seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, and a rear sunblind. A 900-watt Harmon Kardon audio system is $1,000 and premium leather upholstery costs $3,200.

Both the GranLusso and GranSport are a $7,500 upgrade. The luxurious GranLusso includes the premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a leather-and-wood heated steering wheel, the Harmon Kardon audio system, and adaptive LED headlights.

The GranSport, meanwhile, hews closer to sportiness with 20-inch wheels, black trim, uniquely styled front and rear fascias, bolstered seats, and paddle-shifters. Both are a $7,500 upgrade.

The hallmark of the S is its 424-hp engine, but it also gets an air-conditioned center console, a sunroof, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, and a Maserati clock on the dashboard.

The GranLusso and GranSport are again available, though they only cost $6,800 here.

Compare Ghibli Trims Side-By-Side