New 2023 Maserati Ghibli (Overview). HIGHS
– Fashion-forward Italiante styling, powerful engines, sporty moves.
LOWS
– Compromised rear-seat space, some down-market materials inside, unimpressive fuel mileage.
VERDICT
– The Ghibli is an enthralling sports sedan but it lacks the luxurious interior ambiance that less-expensive rivals offer.
– Pros
Expressive Italian styling
Sharp handling makes it fun to drive
Front seats are supportive and comfortable
Evocative exhaust note
– Cons
Interior fit and finish lacks the refinement of rivals
Rear seat access is a bit tight
Limited dealer network
– What’s new
No significant changes are expected for 2023
Part of the first Ghibli generation introduced for 2014
The Ghibli is Maserati’s entry-level sedan positioned below the larger and more expensive Quattroporte. Its powerful Ferrari-derived engines and aggressive Italian styling set the Ghibli apart from its German luxury rivals. A distinctive exhaust note is another appealing quality not found in most luxury sedans. But the Ghibli doesn’t just tantalize the senses — its comfortable ride and seats make it a solid grand tourer for long drives and it provides enjoyable handling on winding roads.
There are some drawbacks to consider, however. The Ghibli that’s on sale today is basically the same one that debuted in 2014. Since then, Maserati has refreshed its styling and updated its engines and tech, but it rides on the same dated platform. Competing luxury rivals have all undergone one or even two complete redesigns in the same period. The lack of a complete redesign is the main culprit for most of its shortcomings, including a tight rear seat, cheap-feeling switchware and aged interior. The Ghibli also doesn’t provide the high level of interior craftsmanship found in German rivals.
With significant updates made in 2021 and the streamlining of trim levels for 2022, we don’t expect any major changes for the 2023 Ghibli. Maserati, though, will likely make some revisions to its standard and optional features. We still expect the rival Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class to offer more of the latest technology features, but if you’re looking for an alternative to the German luxury brands and enjoy some Italian charm, the Ghibli is worth checking out.
Which Ghibli does Edmunds recommend?
Maserati hasn’t released official information on the 2023 Ghibli as of this writing. We’ll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year’s Ghibli, we think the Modena is the way to go. The extra power from the upgraded turbocharged V6 and the additional features are worth the small price bump. You also have the option of adding all-wheel drive (called Q4) with the Modena trim.
Maserati Ghibli models
[Editor’s note: The following unofficial information is based on last year’s Ghibli. We expect the 2023 model will have a similar lineup and we’ll update this section once we have complete information.] The Maserati Ghibli is a luxury sedan that comes in GT, Modena and Trofeo trim levels. The GT gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 good for 345 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the Modena gets a version of that engine tuned to 424 hp and 428 lb-ft. The range-topping Trofeo uses an exclusive turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 that generates 580 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. All Ghiblis have an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive, known as Q4, is available on the Modena.
