With some potent Ferrari built engines, the sensual Ghibli still has the go to match the show

It’s no secret that Pick Up Trucks and SUVs dominate today's market. With several automakers scaling back on passenger cars, segments like sports sedans are shrinking by the day and now represent an even smaller chunk of the pie. As a result, if you happen to be one of those people who are still considering one, your choices are fairly limited. Once the stalwart of the luxury sport sedan class, the aging Maserati Ghibli still remains a compelling option for those looking to make a statement.

While the Ghibli name itself traces its origins back to the swinging sixties (Maserati Ghibli - 1967-1973), the third generation in its current iteration in its four-door avatar has been around since 2013. In the decade or so since it first went on sale, the Ghibli has undergone several facelifts consisting of tech and powertrain changes. The Ghibli received a fairly comprehensive makeover in 2022, so what's new for 2023? Let's find out.

The 2023 Maserati Ghibli is available in three trims:

The Ghibli was always positioned as a 2+2 grand tourer and it all begins with what lies under the hood. So without further ado, let's get to the heart of the matter and talk powertrains. You've got two options, both built by Ferrari. A 3.0 Liter twin-turbocharged V-6 and a firebreathing 3.8 Liter V-8. The V-6 is available in two states of tune. In the Base GT trim, this engine produces 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Step it up to the mid-tier Modena and the same mill puts out 424 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque.

With the onslaught of EVs and ever-tightening of emissions regulations, the number of four-door sedans that currently offer a V-8 is shrinking. So if you're into your V-8 Maserati still offers one in the Ghibli limited to its top-spec Trofeo trim. The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 produces a whopping 580 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque.

60 MPH comes up in 5.5 seconds on the base GT, while that number drops to just 4.0 seconds on the Trofeo, and as the engineers over from Maranello have worked their magic on both engines, you can expect an evocative soundtrack that truly belongs on an Italian exotic.

All trims come with a slick ZF eight-speed automatic, along with the standard rear-wheel drive configuration. The mid-spec model in the form of the Modena Q4 also gets you the option of all-wheel drive. One of Ghibli's unique selling points over the competition is the way it drove. Right from the onset, Maserati gave the sports sedan the hardware it deserved to offer drivers top-drawer dynamics. This has only gotten better with time.

The lightweight construction made up of a mix of steel and aluminum alloys ensures a rigid and sporty chassis along with a 50-50 weight distribution. Combine the potent power trains with features like the Skyhook suspension (optional on Modena trims, Standard on Trofeo) that uses sensors to instantly adjusts each damper, along with a slotted Brembo disc brake, a limited-slip differential, and what you end up with is one of the sweetest handling sedans out there.

To further customize your driving experience, the Ghibli offers four drive modes which include:

- I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency)

Now if there's one thing that Italians do right, it's got to be style, and if I could use just one word to describe the Maserati Ghibli's design, it would have to be 'Timeless'. Positioned as the entry-level sedan in Maserati's lineup, the Ghibli's resemblance to the Quattroporte and Gran Turismo is very evident. The proportions are just right for what is a luxury sport sedan and the Ghibli offers the same visual drama, but in a smaller package.

But Despite the basic shape being close to a decade old now, the Ghibli's overall aesthetic manages to look modern and contemporary and is still capable of turning heads. The traditional Maserati design elements like the aggressive shark nose grille, the three functional porthole vents, Trident badges on the grille, and the D pillar are all present. The Trident on the grille in fact doubles up as the sensor for the driver assist features.

Depending on the trims you choose, the Ghibli will either adopt a luxury or sporty look. The Modena and Trofeo trims offer a more aggressive bumper along with chrome or gloss black elements. You can further spruce things up on the Modena and Trofeo trims with the optional Full Carbon Fiber Kit ($2,500) or the Nerissimo Carbon Package ($3,400), which adds the sporty touch to the door mirrors, pillars, bumpers, etc.

The base model still employs xenon projectors, but Modena trim and up gets you adaptive LED headlights. The sides carry on the tradition of those pronounced haunches over the rear wheel arches. Wheel sizes start at 19-inches on the base GT, while the top-of-the-line Trofeo gets 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Pillarless doors are another highlight of the Ghibli. The boomerang-style LED element in the tail lights that the facelift brought last year, harks back to the old 3200 GT from the late 90s. Some proper quad exhaust pipes finish off the rear end nicely.

The interior was one area where the Ghibli was starting to show its age, and last year's update brought some of the big changes that saw improvements both in terms of cabin materials and the tech package.

Speaking of tech, the Ghibli has taken a big leap forward with its new highly responsive, 10.1-inch frameless center touch screen, that runs the latest version of U-Connect. This system supports wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Strangely in an age of fully- digital gauge clusters, the Ghibli still comes with good old-fashioned analog dials. Another nostalgic, but classy touch is the analog clock, that sits atop the dash.

While the base model features an 8-speaker setup, a 10-speaker 900-watt Harmon Kardon system ($1,100) or 15-speaker 1280-Watt Bowers&Wilkins system ($2,500) are also available.

While the overall design exudes panache, some materials lower down in the cabin aren't the best. You'll also find some switchgear and buttons borrowed from other Stellantis group models. Having said that, since Maserati is a luxury brand, after all, you can customize your build to your heart's content.

You can choose from a vast array of upholstery options and interior trim pieces including wood, aluminum, and carbon fiber. A leather-wrapped steering, leather upholstery, and powered seats with heating are all standard from the base model. Step it up to the Modena trim and you also get ventilated seats ($500) with even plusher upgraded leather upholstery ($3,500).

Now although the Ghibli is the smaller of the two Maserati sedans on offer today, its 195.7-inch length and 118.0-inch wheelbase doesn't translate to the inside. Front row accommodation shouldn't be a problem, but at 57.8 inches, rear seat leg room is average at best, when compared to rivals. Also cargo capacity is just okay as well at just under 18.0 cubic feet of space.

The base model 2023 Maserati Ghibli in GT trim has a starting price of $82,300 excluding the $1,495 towards delivery and destination charges. The $2,700 difference between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Ghibli Modena's makes the upgrade to AWD traction, a no-brainer unless you want to have some tail-happy fun with the V6. The range tops out with the Ghibli Trofeo, which carries an MSRP of $118,500.

Configure your 2023 Maserati Ghibli here.

The Ghibli is available with a Diver Assistance Package advanced driver assistance features include:

The Maserati Ghibli mainly takes on the sportier iterations of the mid-size luxury executive sedans like the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6, the Mercedes Benz E Class, and the Jaguar XF. Now if we're talking V-8s, only the Bavarian automaker in the form of the BMW 550i and the BMW M5 makes the cut to take on the Ghibli Trofeo. Some other performance V8 sedans in and around the $100,000 mark include the Cadillac CT5-V.

So to summarize, the Ghibli isn't perfect, as rivals do better quality interiors with better long-term reliability and resale values. However, if you're willing to look past some of the Ghibli's foibles, what you'll get is a magnificent drive, that rivals just can't deliver. At the end of the day, the Ghibli is the sort of car that you buy with your heart.

With the Italian marque looking to go all-electric by 2030 with its Folgore sub-brand, the Ghibli could go out of production by the end of 2023. As a result, this could very well mark the end of the line for Maserati's entry-level luxury sedan. Maserati is shaking up its lineup as a new short-wheelbase Quattroporte will soon take its place as the sole offering. So if you happen to have your heart set on a brand new example, it's time to get your hands on one while you still can because the Ghibli is an awesome Italian Sports sedan.

Khris is a classic car aficionado and adores his Jags and Alfas, although he keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid. Formula One is very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto any day.