2019 Maserati Ghibli GranLusso Review

In Malaysia's executive luxury sedan market, brand heritage, power performance, and comfort experience have always been core factors for consumers. Although German luxury brands have long dominated the mainstream, Maserati, known for its Italian design, still maintains a loyal following in the niche market with its unique brand character and sporty DNA. The 2019 Maserati Ghibli GranLusso, as the luxury version of the series, retains the sporty essence of the Ghibli lineup while enhancing its comfort attributes through detailed upgrades. This review will focus on its static design, dynamic performance, and daily practicality to see if this Italian luxury sedan can stand out in the highly competitive market.

In terms of exterior design, the 2019 Ghibli GranLusso continues Maserati's signature design language. The front features a vertically slatted grille paired with the iconic trident emblem, giving it high recognizability, while the chrome trim around the grille adds a touch of refinement. The side profile boasts smooth lines that extend from the hood to the rear, with a waistline running through the front and rear. Paired with 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, it retains the stance of a sports sedan without losing its luxury appeal. At the rear, the signature quad-exhaust layout highlights its performance orientation, while the family-style LED taillight cluster with surround design offers striking visual effects when illuminated at night. Overall, the exterior of the Ghibli GranLusso aligns with the mature temperament of an executive sedan, while its detailed design elements convey Maserati's unique sporty DNA.

Stepping inside, the interior style of the Ghibli GranLusso leans towards a blend of traditional luxury and technological sophistication. The center console is wrapped in extensive genuine leather and wood trim, with soft-touch materials everywhere within reach, aligning with its luxury positioning. The central control area is equipped with an 8.4-inch touchscreen LCD that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While the operational fluency is decent, the interface design appears slightly traditional compared to German models in the same class. The seats are made of high-grade leather, and the front seats feature electric adjustment, heating, and ventilation functions. They balance both wraparound support and comfort, ensuring that even long rides don’t cause fatigue. Notably, the GranLusso-exclusive rear privacy glass and four-zone automatic climate control further enhance the comfort of rear-seat passengers.

In terms of space, the Ghibli GranLusso has body dimensions of 4971mm x 2100mm x 1945mm, with a wheelbase of 2998mm, placing it within the mainstream range of mid-to-large sedans. The front row offers ample legroom, with an occupant standing 180cm tall still having about a fist's worth of headroom after adjusting the seat. The rear space is also commendable, with legroom extending beyond two fists and headroom about one fist, ensuring that even three adults in the rear seat won't feel cramped. Regarding storage capacity, the central armrest storage box and door panel compartments in the front row are generously sized to accommodate daily essentials. The trunk offers a capacity of 500 liters with a well-structured opening, suitable for family trips or business use.

In terms of the powertrain, the 2019 Ghibli GranLusso is equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering a maximum power output of 430PS and peak torque of 580N·m. The transmission system is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the vehicle's power response is swift, especially in Sport mode, where the throttle sensitivity is notably enhanced, providing a strong push-back feeling right from the start. Mid-to-high range acceleration is equally robust, with the gearbox showing active downshifting during overtaking, and the power output remains linear and consistent, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of approximately 4.7 seconds. Its performance is ahead of most models in the same segment. During daily driving, switching to Comfort mode makes the power output smoother, making it suitable for urban commutes or highway cruising.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the Ghibli GranLusso adopts a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The chassis tuning leans towards sporty dynamics while still retaining a certain level of comfort. The steering wheel is precise with minimal play, offering clear road feedback and giving the driver a confident driving experience. The suspension system utilizes a combination of double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, paired with adaptive damping adjustment. It effectively filters vibrations on urban roads, ensuring a comfortable experience for passengers. Meanwhile, during high-speed cornering, the suspension provides sufficient support, the body roll is well-controlled, and the vehicle demonstrates excellent handling stability.

As for fuel consumption, due to its performance-oriented powertrain, the Ghibli GranLusso’s fuel efficiency is average. During city driving, fuel consumption is about 12-14L/100km, while highway cruising sees the fuel consumption drop to around 8-9L/100km. The combined fuel consumption stands at approximately 10.5L/100km, which is an acceptable range for a 3.0T V6 engine. In terms of noise control, the vehicle effectively suppresses wind and tire noise at high speeds, but engine noise becomes more pronounced at high RPMs; however, this aligns with its positioning as a sports sedan.

Overall, the 2019 Maserati Ghibli GranLusso's core strengths lie in its unique brand identity, powerful performance, and a balance between comfort and handling. Compared to similarly positioned German models like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Ghibli GranLusso offers advantages in brand distinction and performance, though it is slightly inferior in terms of interior technological features and fuel economy. This car is suited for consumers who value both luxury and driving pleasure. Whether for daily commuting, family outings, or business purposes, it can meet various needs effectively.

In conclusion, the 2019 Maserati Ghibli GranLusso is an executive sedan that combines luxury and sporty performance. It retains the essence of the Maserati brand while enhancing comfort with exclusive features of the GranLusso version. If you're looking for a unique luxury sedan without compromising on power and handling performance, the Ghibli GranLusso is worth considering.