2017 Maserati Ghibli Review
Used Ghibli for sale
Get More For Your Trade-In
2017 Maserati Ghibli appraisal values can range from $23,378 - $31,458.
Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.
Edmunds' Expert Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show).Pros
- Angles, curves and lines as only Italians can do
- A joy to drive quickly on a winding road
- Front seats are true grand touring style, supportive and comfortable
- Sound from the tailpipe is a symphony unto itself
Cons
- Interior fit and finish simply not as refined as others in the class
- Steering feels a little fake, not as direct as a sport sedan should
- Your rear seat passengers will need to limbo to enter and exit
What’s new
For 2017, the Maserati Ghibli adds new optional driver assistance and safety features, an improved infotainment interface, and updated Luxury and Sport packages.
Vehicle overview
Many luxury automakers are now offering sedans that straddle the line between swoopy four-door coupes and traditional midsize luxury sedans. Maserati is in the mix as well with its 2017 Ghibli. The Ghibli is unmistakably a Maserati, and its style and proportions split the difference between the automaker's flagship Quattroporte sedan and Gran Turismo two-door.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Maserati Ghibli S 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.10 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$261/mo
Ghibli S
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
On sheer Italian flair alone, the Ghibli hits the right notes. But it's not just a sharp suit; it's also a sublime handler in the corners and curves. An available twin-turbo V6 sourced from its Ferrari corporate cousin further sweetens the deal.
That's the good news, and for many it will be enough. Less impressive is the 2017 Ghibli's interior fit and finish. Borrowing buttons, knobs and switches from its corporate Fiat Chrysler parent, the Ghibli's cabin feels more Dodge and Detroit than Testarossa or Turin. It's still fairly snazzy on its own, but not when you consider other models that the Ghibli competes with.
We think those other European rivals — Mercedes-Benz's CLS- and E-Class models, Audi's A6 and A7, and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe — are worth strong consideration first. What they might lack in passione, they account for with luxury, elegance and effortless driving experience. The Ghibli can tug at your heartstrings with its infectious spirit, but it may leave you unsatisfied after the novelty wears off.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
3.5 / 5On sheer Italian flair alone, the 2017 Maserati Ghibli hits the right notes. But it's not just a sharp suit; it's also a sublime handler around turns, and an available turbo V6 engine sourced from Ferrari further sweetens the deal. You might find interior quality to be a bit of a letdown, though.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the base 2014 Maserati Ghibli (turbo 3.0L V6 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).
Scorecard
| Overall | 3.5 / 5 |
| Driving | 3.5 |
| Comfort | 4.0 |
| Interior | 3.5 |
Driving
3.5If you want a truly pulse-quickening Ghibli, you'll have to step up to the 410-hp S Q4 model. This base Ghibli is no slacker, but it never has alarming punch. The handling? Oh, it's sensational. Perfect balance at all times.
Comfort
4.0The Ghibli is quiet and comfortable, especially considering it's an Italian sport sedan. The front and rear seats are well padded. The turbo V6 only gets loud when the Sport button is activated. The Normal suspension setting is just soft enough.
Interior
3.5The Ghibli's interior isn't as sumptuous as we thought it would be, and there are some ergonomic oddities. But there's plenty of room and good outward visibility as well as some useful storage/cargo ideas.
Utility
The better-than-average trunk space, split-folding rear seats and rear seat pass-through give the Ghibli surprising cargo-carrying flexibility and utility.
Technology
The 2017 Ghibli makes a welcome tech leap forward, with upgraded in-car electronics and new driver assistance features. A new dial controller makes for easier infotainment roaming, while forward collision warning, auto emergency braking and adaptive cruise control make a long-overdue appearance.
Which Ghibli does Edmunds recommend?
Maserati teases you with the base Ghibli, and it's not a bad choice if you just love the design. But its performance is underwhelming, and for speed that matches the style, you'll need to go with the Ghibli S or all-wheel drive S Q4. Both offer more horsepower and torque than the base model, as well as handy extras such as adaptive front lighting.
2017 Maserati Ghibli models
The 2017 Maserati Ghibli is a midsize luxury sedan available in three trims: base, S and S Q4. The base model comes well-stocked with features such as 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery and navigation. The S offers more engine power, performance and luxury appointments (leather-trimmed panels, for example), and the S Q4 provides the same, but with all-wheel drive.