2022 Maserati Ghibli

吉卜力玛莎拉蒂将花费你一大笔钱,but what else would you expect from an Italian exotic such as this? The price of a new Maserati Ghibli begins at $78,000 in the USA for the GT, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,495. The Modena goes for an MSRP of $82,700, with the Q4's all-wheel drive adding another $2,600 to that. They're not a dime a dozen, but you'll be able to find a good used model for sale in the US in the $40k region. If you're willing to live with the older infotainment system, pricing for the 2020 Maserati Ghibli could save you a lot of money.

F Tributo models are rare and while the manufacturer hasn't issued official pricing for it, a $101,390 starting price seems standard for US dealerships, with the Q4 version naturally adding a few thousand on top of that for the all-wheel drive system.

All players in this corner of the market are expected to offer a semblance of sporty handling, especially if you're going up against the always capable BMW 5 Series. The good news is that the Maserati Ghibli is a competent handler and is comfortable enough to coddle even the most hungover corporate banker's headache. In terms of comfort, the Maserati straddles the line between a sporty chassis and suspension setup and compliance, but in the end, the ride feels stiffer than some of its closest competitors. Unfortunately, our review found that this doesn't necessarily result in a car that's better around the corners. The Ghibli turns in sharply and neatly, but mid-corner bumps and quick changes in direction can upset it. The steering is precise, but as with most cars in this class, it lacks any serious feedback. At slower speeds, the chassis struggles to soak up bumps and road imperfections, especially in sport mode, and the large wheels don't help much either. Unfortunately, the Ghibli is no match for the BMW in terms of its overall balance between comfort and sportiness.

You don't buy a Maserati Ghibli with your head, you buy it with your heart. This Italian sports executive is one of the best-looking cars in its class, and because there are so few of them on the road, exclusivity is guaranteed, but the Ghibli has its shortcomings. The interior looks excellent at face value, but upon closer inspection, cheaper parts can be spotted. At least it's had an improved infotainment system since last year. The Ghibli isn't as comfortable or as capable as its German rivals on the road, but it won't break your back with suspension stiffness. Under the hood, the V6 engine is the way to go. It's got soul, but just don't expect great gas mileage, especially since the hybrid variant won't be sold stateside. The Ghibli is also more expensive than most of its rivals but offers less tech and overall value for money. Nobody ever accused the heart of being particularly smart, but sometimes it just wants what it wants.

Because the Ghibli is more expensive than its competitors, we would try to keep costs to a minimum, while dialing up the fun. For that reason, we'd go with the Maserati Ghibli Modena RWD. The Modena gets the more powerful 424-hp twin-turbo V6 engine. It retains the less powerful base model's features, though, which include 19-inch Poseidone aluminum wheels, a 10.1-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi connectivity, power front seats, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot warning, front and rear parking sensors, and keyless start. The extra power alone is worth the $4,700 premium.

The Quattroporte is the bigger sibling and starts out at an asking price that is $30,000 more than the Ghibli. From the outside, the Quattroporte shares similar styling with the Ghibli but measures over ten inches longer and has a wheelbase nearly seven inches longer. Under the hood, the Quattroporte shares its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with the Ghibli in exactly the same two power outputs. For 2022, the Quattroporte range is identical to the Ghibli range, with the same three trims, drivelines, and engines. The bigger car is just a little slower because it is heavier. Both cars offer a similarly sporty driving feel, with the Ghibli being arguably the sportier of the two due to its lower curb weight. On the inside, the Quattroporte offers a stunning interior that is a step up from the Ghibli, with a lot more passenger space. Tech and features are on the same level. Where the Ghibli does battle with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Quattroporte has to go up against the Porsche Panamera and even the Merc S-Class. If you need the extra space, go for it, but we'd stick with the cheaper Ghibli.

The BMW 5 Series has traditionally lived at the top of the class, and the 2022 iteration is no different; it is a shining example of what a sporty executive sedan should be and combines luxury and technology effortlessly. Besides the Maserati's stunning looks, there is very little that it does better than the BMW. There's a solid range of engine choices on offer in the 5 Series lineup, but the most potent trim, the M550i, supplies a massive 523-hp from its twin-turbo V8 engine that blows the Ghibli out of the water. On the road, it is the superior car, both in terms of comfort and sportiness. The interior is also a more comfortable and luxurious space, and the tech levels are far superior. At $76,800 for the M550i xDrive Sedan, we don't understand why anyone would pay more for less.