Verdict
At RM469,800, the BMW X5 undercuts the RM538,800 Maserati Ghibli by RM69,000 while bringing all-wheel drive, 540 Nm, a 650-litre boot and a far stronger driver-assistance suite. Its 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time also edges the Ghibli’s 5.6 seconds despite a 2,240-kg kerb weight. The Maserati answers with 330 hp, a 263-km/h top speed and a full-size spare tyre, but its 500-litre boot, rear-wheel drive and lack of autonomous braking make it harder to justify for most Malaysian buyers. The X5 is the more rounded cross-shop choice.
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the RM69,000 saving, AWD traction, 650 litres of luggage room and adaptive cruise control with autonomous braking.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you prefer a sedan with 330 hp, a 263-km/h top speed, a full-size spare tyre and a three-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM469,800; Maserati Ghibli RM538,800.
- Power and torque: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; Maserati Ghibli 330 hp and 500 Nm.
- Driveline and 0-100 km/h: BMW X5 AWD and 5.4 seconds; Maserati Ghibli RWD and 5.6 seconds.
- Boot space and fuel tank: BMW X5 650 litres and 83 litres; Maserati Ghibli 500 litres and 70 litres.
- Kerb weight and top speed: BMW X5 2,240 kg and 250 km/h; Maserati Ghibli 1,810 kg and 263 km/h.
- Warranty: BMW X5 two years with unlimited mileage; Maserati Ghibli three years and 100,000 km.
X5
- RM69,000 less expensive
- 540 Nm and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- AWD, 650-litre boot and air suspension
- 308 hp trails the Ghibli’s 330 hp
- 250-km/h top speed is 13 km/h lower
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre
Ghibli
- 330 hp and 263-km/h top speed
- 430 kg lighter kerb weight
- Full-size spare tyre and three-year manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM69,000 more
- 500-litre boot is 150 litres smaller
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or reverse camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 469,800✓ | RM 538,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,979 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | 330 hp✓ |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 86.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 9.7 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | Auto-Adaptive Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 5.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 263 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 223 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,971 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,945 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,998 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 235/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 235/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Italy (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double wishbone with stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Alfieri |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Alfieri |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Mechanical LSD |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front and Passenger, Side, and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | Three-point seat belts for all five seats |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | Bi-Xenon |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | 8-way with adjustable lumbar, driver and passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Air vents only |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | Two Front, Two Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Jam-Protection |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry + Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote boot release |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited✓ | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 3 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years✓ | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | Free Service at 20,000km, 40,000km, 60,000km |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,637✓ | RM 2,078 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
X5 vs Ghibli FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Maserati Ghibli better?
The BMW X5 is better for most buyers: it costs RM69,000 less, is quicker to 100 km/h, has AWD, 40 Nm more torque, a 650-litre boot and substantially more active safety equipment. Choose the Ghibli for its sedan body, 330 hp and higher top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Maserati Ghibli costs RM69,000 more than the BMW X5. The X5 is RM469,800, while the Ghibli is RM538,800.
Which has more luggage space, the BMW X5 or Maserati Ghibli?
The BMW X5 has the larger boot at 650 litres, versus 500 litres in the Maserati Ghibli. The X5 also has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, while the Ghibli has a fold-down centre armrest.