2019 Maserati Ghibli S Review

The mid-size luxury sedan market in Malaysia has always been a fiercely competitive segment, where consumers value both brand appeal and a balance between performance and features. As the "Italian representative" in this category, the 2019 Maserati Ghibli S's core selling points lie in its 3.0T twin-turbo V6 engine delivering 416 horsepower and Maserati’s signature exhaust note—two aspects that perfectly align with the needs of buyers looking for both performance and style. We had the chance to conduct an in-depth week-long test of the actual car, with the main purpose of assessing whether this vehicle can live up to its price tag of RM 718,800 in terms of static experience and dynamic performance, apart from its brand prestige.

At first glance, the 2019 Ghibli S continues Maserati's classic sports sedan styling, with its low-slung stance and smooth body lines that provide strong visual recognition even when parked on the street. The front end features the family-style vertical slat grille, flanked by sharp LED headlight units. The headlight design is straightforward with a clean lens structure and daytime running lights, offering clear visual effects when illuminated. The body side is highlighted by a waistline running from the front fender to the rear, and the subtly upward-arching line adds a sense of dynamism; the wheels feature a 19-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy design paired with red brake calipers, further enhancing the sporty attributes. The rear design is relatively full, with Maserati’s iconic trident badge above a quad-exhaust layout, marking it as a performance-oriented model. The taillights use a smoked finish with LED elements inside, offering high recognition when lit at night. The overall rear-end design complements the sporty vibe of the front fascia.

Stepping inside the car, the 2019 Ghibli S’s interior style leans toward traditional luxury, devoid of excessive flashy designs, but the materials and craftsmanship feel solid. The dashboard uses a large area of soft leather wrapping, and the inside of the door panels features a combination of leather and wood-grain trims, ensuring that most touchpoints are soft to the touch. The cockpit is driver-focused, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display positioned at the top of the dashboard. The screen’s resolution and responsiveness are at a mid-range level for 2019 models, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; beneath the screen are a few physical buttons for climate control and audio volume, making daily operations convenient. The seats are upholstered in genuine leather, with the front seats featuring electric adjustments and lumbar support. The seats provide good cushioning, and long drives are not tiring; the rear-seat space is fairly standard, with a 175cm tall passenger having about two-fist space for legs, though headroom feels slightly tighter. However, for a four-door sports sedan, this is within expectations. As for storage space, the front center armrest compartment isn’t very large but can fit items like phones and wallets; the door pocket storage slots and rear center armrest cup holders are sufficient for daily needs.

In terms of power, the 2019 Ghibli S is equipped with a 3.0T twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering a maximum power output of 416 horsepower and a peak torque of 580 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. During actual driving, the power response at the start is very brisk—just a light touch of the accelerator is enough to feel a noticeable pushback. Switching to Sport mode makes the transmission logic more aggressive, with faster downshifts, and the engine’s exhaust note becomes even deeper when the accelerator is pressed hard. The acceleration is strong, and overtaking doesn’t require much room. In everyday driving, switching to Normal mode smoothens the power output, and the transmission shifts more seamlessly, making it well-suited for city driving.

In terms of handling performance, the 2019 Ghibli S has a relatively heavy steering effort, with precise steering. The steering wheel becomes more stable at high speeds, providing ample confidence. The chassis adopts an independent suspension structure with front double wishbones and rear multi-link. The suspension is tuned for a sporty feel, and while it doesn't completely filter out road bumps, it doesn't feel overly harsh either. Body roll is well-controlled during cornering, and the suspension offers enough support to maintain stability even during fast cornering. During our test drive, we specifically tested fuel consumption. In urban driving conditions, the fuel consumption is approximately 12-14L per 100 kilometers, while on highways, it drops to around 9-10L. For a performance-oriented sports sedan, this level of fuel consumption is within the normal range.

In terms of driving comfort, the noise control performance of the 2019 Ghibli S is average. At high speeds, tire noise and wind noise become more pronounced, especially in the speed range above 120km/h, where the volume inside the car needs to be raised for normal conversation. However, the engine sound is well-controlled in normal mode and does not interfere with daily driving. The seat comfort has been mentioned earlier. The front seats offer good support and wrapping, while the rear seat cushions are of adequate length, and the backrest angle is reasonably designed, ensuring long drives are not tiring.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2019 Ghibli S are its brand positioning and performance capabilities. With an output of 416 horsepower, it ranks among the upper tier in the mid-size luxury sedan segment. Coupled with Maserati's iconic engine sound, it can meet consumers' needs for performance and style. Compared to competitors in the same segment, such as the BMW 5 Series M Sport or Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG Line, the Ghibli S has higher brand recognition and superior power specifications. However, it slightly lags behind in terms of interior technology and feature richness. This car is suitable for those who value brand influence and pursue sporty performance, such as young entrepreneurs or professionals aged 30-40. They need a luxury sports sedan that can balance daily commuting and occasional spirited driving.

In summary, the 2019 Maserati Ghibli S is a luxury performance sports sedan that is not particularly "imbalanced." It boasts Maserati's brand prestige, combined with strong performance capabilities. Although interior technology and comfort configurations are not its strong suits, these shortcomings may be acceptable for consumers who prioritize individuality and performance. If you are looking for a distinctive, powerful luxury sports sedan and don't mind slightly weaker interior technological features, then the 2019 Ghibli S is worth considering.