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Maserati Ghibli Hybrid Review

How will Maserati's first hybrid vehicle compare with rivals and the brand's pedigree?

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By

Ben Gribbin

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Italian luxury car brand, Maserati has unveiled its first foray in electrified vehicles with a hybrid version of its Ghibli sedan. Here's what you need to know and what we're looking forward to trying the most.

What's a Ghibli?

The Ghibli derives its name from a hot, arid wind in Northern Africa.

If you've never heard of the Maserati Ghibli, here's a quick primer. The Ghibli is a four-door, five-seater luxury executive sedan that offers something completely different from the segment norm. German models like the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Lexus range typically dominate this class.

But in truth, all of these vehicles tend to lean towards the less daring, more mainstream way of doing things. The Maserati offers up an interesting twist on the formula in a more flamboyant package. And now, to really spice things up, the Ghibli is available as a hybrid!

Key 2020 Maserati Ghibli hybrid statistics

EngineTurbocharged, 2.0-litre petrol engine with mild hybrid technology
TransmissionEight-speed automatic gearbox made by ZF
Max. power246kW @ 5,750rpm
Max. torque450Nm @ 4,000rpm
0 - 100km/h5.7 seconds

What we are looking forward to

The hybrid Ghibli is something that really stands out from the crowd. What are we most looking forward to?

  • Speed. The Ghibli hybrid on paper is rapid! It'll blip from a standing start to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. That's hot hatch territory and should be enough to give you that excited feeling in your stomach.
  • Drivetrain. What's not to love? It's a 246kW, 450Nm rear-wheel-drive car with a limited-slip, self-locking mechanical diff – the Ghibli hybrid should be a blast to drive!
  • Eye-catching. There's no denying that the Ghibli is extremely eye-catching. It really pops out, making everything else look outmoded and drab.
  • Hybrid. It's awesome to see another automotive manufacturer making its first leap in the world of hybrid cars, which feel like the most practical mode of transport right now. We're looking forward to driving this luxury sedan hybrid, which has Brembo performance brakes and a 48V electric system! Reading through the specs list, we think it's going to be a great car to drive! Interestingly, the Ghibli has front aluminium double wishbones (like a race car) and is lighter than the V6-equipped Ghiblis, so we are champing at the bit to give it a whirl!
  • Relaxing. We can't wait to try the Ermenegildo Zegna-designed cabin out, which sounds more comfortable than a five-star hotel room. There are 12-way, contoured leather seats, and natural fibre Mulberry silk inlays. Maserati mentions there are forged aluminium components, a climate-controlled wireless charging mobile phone compartment (to keep your device chilled) and an eight-speaker sound system by Harman Kardon. Maserati is also offering optional upgraded systems by Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins for increased fidelity. Skyhook suspension should give us the option to tailor the car for comfort or for tackling high-speed corners.

What we are keen to test

  • The interior. We want to get in the passenger compartment and see how it feels, what's the fit and finish like? How well does the frameless, new-generation, enlarged HD screen work? What are the ergonomics like? Is it practical as a sedan?
  • Handling. We want to see how the Ghibli handles on the road. On paper, it sounds like it should be on point, plus it's interesting that unlike other hybridised versions, it's actually lighter than the traditionally-powered equivalent Ghibli model.
  • Hybrid tech. We're intrigued by the hybrid tech. Official figures suggest the car will manage from 8.5-9.6L/100km, so how close can we get to those figures? How does it compare to other hybrids we've driven?
  • Safety assists. The Ghibli has a full suite of advanced safety aids. It's got things like highway assist, active blind-spot assist and lane-keeping assist (making it a Level 2 ADAS, or partially automated vehicle, providing you keep your hands on the wheel). We want to try these systems out on public roads around Sydney to see how they fare. We also are keen to try out the adaptive-cruise system with stop and go, as this can greatly reduce fatigue on long journeys!
  • Quality. We'll be giving the general build quality a good going over, especially considering the standard set by established rival cars in the segment.

Maserati Ghibli Hybrid pricing

On April 21, 2021, Maserati announced the pricing for the Ghibli Hybrid. The recommended retail prices (before on road costs) start from $139,990 for the entry-level model. The Ghibli Hybrid GranLusso and GranSport models start from $163,990 before ORCs.

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