Maserati Ghibli Hybrid 2021 Review

We’re accustomed to Maserati producing a lot of noise to make a statement – but there’s a change of tack materialising from the Italian manufacturer.

Like most car-makers, the electrification of Maserati’s fleet is coming on fast and strong: there’s an electrified sports car on the horizon, a slew of plug-in hybrids and confirmation there will be an electrified variant of every model it sells locally.

The first proponent of Maserati’s grand electrification plan is the 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid.

It is not a hybrid in the true sense of the word – it doesn’t shut down the engine at every coasting or low-speed opportunity; there’s no whirring or otherworldly fuel savings.

Nor is it a Tesla Model S rival, even if it is priced like one.

Rather, the Ghibli Hybrid employs mild-hybrid technology already heavily used by the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and many, many others. Its objective is as much about augmenting the small engine’s performance as anything else.

So it’s a small step into a greener space, and a time to consider whether a four-cylinder mild-hybrid Maserati is the real deal.

Priced at $139,990 plus on-road costs, the 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid is the cheapest variant in the Ghibli line-up, bringing down the entry point by $5000.

Meanwhile, the range-topping Hybrid GranLusso (luxury-focused) and Hybrid GranSport (performance-focused) variants are both priced from $163,990 plus on-road costs. We’re driving the GranSport.

The Italian brand’s new mild-hybrid powertrain effectively replaces the entry-level diesel that disappeared from the MY21 Ghibli line-up in January and rivals big petrol-electric luxury sedans like the BMW 530e ($122,900) and Mercedes-Benz E 300e ($123,500).

Apart from the newly-launched 3.8-litre V8-powered Maserati Ghibli Trofeo flagship, the hybrid is the only Ghibli variant not powered by a turbo-petrol V6.

Instead of V6 or V8 power, the Trident brand’s first petrol-electric model brings a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.

The Maserati Ghibli Hybrid will be joined by a hybrid version of the Italian car-maker’s best-selling model, the Levante large SUV, in the coming months.

On the outside, the big hybrid sports sedan is distinctively finished with lashings of blue in order to “identify all cars with hybrid technology and the new world they represent”, says Maserati.

Up front, the grille is redesigned to represent a tuning fork, while the rear-end has revised tail-light clusters with a boomerang-like profile, plus a blue thunderbolt added to the Trident badge on the rear pillar.

The same blue theme continues throughout the cabin via unique seat stitching.

Standard equipment on the entry Ghibli includes 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, soft-close doors, powered tailgate, sunroof, front and rear seat heating, wireless phone charging, leather trim, sports pedals and dual-zone climate control.

Infotainment comes via a 10.1-inch touch-screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also an eight-speaker sound system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation included.

Seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and a rear-view camera all come standard.

The Ghibli officially runs a five-star ANCAP safety rating that dates back to testing conducted in 2014.

Maserati says three years’ worth of servicing will set owners back about $2700, across 12-month/15,000km intervals. However, those services do not include consumables such as tyres and brakes, or additional dealership charges such as environmental levies.

The 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid combines an internal-combustion four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt belt-driven starter/generator system and electric compressor.

Weighing 80kg less than the V6 diesel Ghibli, the mild-hybrid system is claimed to improve performance while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The base engine is closely related to the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, but according to Maserati has been completely redesigned with new engine management, controls and calibration specific to Maserati. (Both Alfa and Maser are part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.)

Maximum outputs are rated at 246kW of power and 450Nm of torque (the latter delivered from as little as 1500rpm), which is claimed to allow the Ghibli Hybrid to hit 100km/h from standstill in 5.7 seconds.

There is up to 11kW of electric power, according to Maserati, and the hybrid system recuperates braking energy while using an additional compressor to mitigate low-rev turbo lag.

The engine is matched to a familiar ZF eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels and is hooked up standard to a mechanical limited-slip rear differential.

Meanwhile, the 48-volt alternator and an additional electric e-Booster supercharger are supported by a battery in the rear of the car to improve weight distribution.

As ever, the Ghibli is suspended by Skyhook adaptive suspension, helping soften the ride on 20-inch staggered alloy wheels.

Steering comes courtesy of an electrically-assisted rack that replaced the hydraulic unit back in 2017.

Maserati has taken the opportunity to apply some much-needed updates to the Ghibli’s interior – and it’s all the better for it

The new frameless 10.1-inch centre display presents and operates much more effectively than before. There’s a good mix of hard-wired buttons to fast-track basic climate control operations, and the screen works intuitively, both in terms of Apple CarPlay integration and its native menus.

We especially liked the mix of overhead and reversing cameras during parking scenarios, helping mitigate the Ghibli’s size and its precious alloy wheels.

Elsewhere, the cabin of the 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid feels just special enough for this price point. Supportive seats and contact points adorned in quality leather lend the car a sense of occasion, as do the tasteful sprinklings of faux carbon-fibre and requisite Trident logos.

The exception here is the fitment of some shared buttons in the centre fascia, starter button and window switchgear – Jeep owners will recognise some familiar parts here, not ideal given the pricing gulf to step up into a Maserati.

In any case, the interior works well in terms of fitment and presentation. It cannot escape the fact the Ghibli is now nearing seven years in its current guise (withstanding some significant updates during that time), as evidenced by the lack of a head-up display and other small items.

Incidental storage is a little light on up front, but even more than that, rear seat accommodation is limited both in terms of knee-room and toe-room. A bulky transmission tunnel only exacerbates the problem – especially in the presence of roomier options from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Our test car features rear air vents but no rear charging options of any kind.

Further back, a 12-volt outlet is located in the 500-litre boot area, which is otherwise accessed via a narrow opening. There’s adequate length but limited width on offer, and no spare tyre underneath.

You almost need to adopt a different mindset when driving the 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid.

From the moment you slip into the driver’s seat, it’s clear the intent here is around delivering a clever executive sedan rather than a soul-stirring Italian export.

In that vein, the Ghibli Hybrid achieves its objective quite convincingly by offering inherent comfort and refinement together with proven dynamic wares when pushed on a winding backroad.

First of all, the hybrid influence here is as minimal as it sounds. There’s no silence to speak of once the starter button is engaged, the brake pedal feels like a typical combustion-engined car (compared with a conventional hybrid) and fuel usage is good by four-cylinder and Maserati standards, without recreating the wheel.

Driving the rear wheels through the slick-shifting eight-speed auto, the hybrid is strong and smooth at low revs. The electric compressor helps mitigate the Ghibli’s 1.9-tonne heft at slow speeds by offering smooth passage at the lower revs. Then, the traditional exhaust-driven turbocharger gently intervenes to deliver more intent through to the 6500rpm cut-out.

Progress is spritely rather than all-out explosive, but, crucially, the four-pot engine never feels overstressed.

The Ghibli doesn’t feel like a traditional Maserati – that much is evidenced by its 5.7sec 0-100km/h acceleration, but even more tangibly in person by its soundtrack.

Maserati says the Ghibli Hybrid retains the “unmistakeable sound that has always distinguished every Maserati” thanks to an optimised exhaust with specially designed resonators. We’d beg to differ – this is no thundering V8.

Where the Ghibli Hybrid really takes a step forward is on winding roads. It feels decidedly lighter on its feet than Maserati’s more focused V8 models, offering more agility through faster changes in direction and an air of confidence and balance when power is plied down – thanks in part to the limited-slip diff.

The Pirelli P Zero tyres offer adequate adhesion, and the Skyhook suspension instils moderate levels of poise and stability at higher speeds. We also like the feeling and weighting of the electrically-assisted steering, which facilitates a suite of new driver aids that are also effective without being intrusive (lane keep assist being the exception).

At highway speeds the Ghibli Hybrid feels well insulated from the elements, loping along smooth tarmac effortlessly while its engine virtually sits at idle speed in eighth gear.

Broken bitumen presents more tremoring and occasional thudding through the cabin. All told, the ride is quite well controlled and resists temptation to crash, despite the sporty bias.

There’s a sophisticated theme at play here – one which allows the Ghibli Hybrid to execute its dynamic wares across a multitude of tasks, not simply on a fast road.

It’s also relatively efficient; across about 800km of driving, we averaged 9.0L/100km.

The 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid is surprisingly competent in its charter as Maserati’s first electrified model.

Performance is pleasing, and although the soul-stirring soundtrack is missing and the hybrid influence is minimal, truth is it all conspires to make this a very smart, very sophisticated executive sedan.

Trouble for Maserati is its German rivals offer plug-in hybrid alternatives that are cheaper, more efficient and with similar or better performance.

But that’s never been a deterrent for prospective Maserati customers in the past, and we can’t see why it would be now.

How much does the 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid GranSport cost?
Price: $163,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 246kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 172g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2014)