Maserati's Ghibli sedan is something special

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo reviews of the latest motor vehicle models also can be seen on The Sacramento Bee’s website at www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

This review first appeared in the November 2016 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – When you’re offered a drive in a 2016 Maserati Ghibli sedan, you jump at it.

This is something special, beyond the routine.  At least that’s what you expect from Maserati.

To put it mildly, I was not disappointed in my day with the car.

I knew about the Ghibli before it ever showed up in the United States.  News of its elegance and performance arrived before the car landed on these shores.  Happily, the advance reviews were accurate.

First off, even my basic Ghibli looked fast just sitting there.  The best of Euro styling accented a long, flowing front end that promised aerodynamic bliss.

Inside, a luxurious cabin is enhanced by thoughtfully placed controls.  Everything is so elegant and classy looking that you can’t imagine ever bringing a cup of coffee or any kind of food into this vehicle.  If a car can raise your sophistication level, this is the one.

An eight-speed automatic transmission was matched to a 3-liter, twin-turbo V-6 making a max 345 horsepower.  Frankly, the engine feels more powerful than advertised.  Jumps off the line are immediate and brisk.  Runs up to 60 or 70 miles per hour are a quick rush, made all the better by a satisfying growl from the power plant.

I found the steering a bit firm on the tester, but in a reassuring way.  At no time did I feel like I was laboring to take sharp corners.

Given the Ghibli’s power, fuel mileage is relatively fair at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

This might be the best $70,000 to $80,000 you’ll ever spend.

It should be noted that the Ghilbi can be dressed up with yet more power and some top-of-the-line options, including a blasting Harman Kardon audio system.

I know what you’re thinking.  This is beyond most household budgets.  I hear that loud and clear.  It’s beyond mine.

But consider the options for a moment.

This is essentially an entry-level Maserati, an exotic marque that carries the same kind of emotional impact as Ferrari.  The Ghibli is smaller and much more affordable than its big brother, the Maserati Quattroporte, which is priced well into the six-figure ballpark.  And the Ghilbi is loaded with safety features, making it more than a prestige-loaded Euro luxury liner.

Bottom line: A starter Ghibli can be had for what you might pay these days for some high-end sport-utility vehicles, and if you’re craving a Euro sports car with exotic leanings, the Ghibli might be the one you’ve been seeking for all these years.

Is it worth it?  You can make that call after a test drive.