Jaguar XJ vs Maserati Ghibli
Verdict
At RM658,491, the Jaguar XJ asks RM119,691 more than the RM538,800 Maserati Ghibli, and on paper it spends that on limousine priorities: 5,252 mm length, 3,157 mm wheelbase, 520-litre boot, rear climate control, rear sunblinds, navigation and a reverse camera. The Ghibli is the driver’s numbers car: 330 hp/500 Nm versus 237 hp/340 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds versus 7.5, and 263 km/h against 241. Malaysian running costs bite differently: the Maserati’s RM2,078 road tax dwarfs the Jaguar’s RM380.
Pick the Jaguar XJ if you want the bigger rear-drive luxury sedan with more rear-seat comfort kit, a larger boot and much lower annual road tax.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want the quicker rear-drive sedan and accept higher road tax for its 2,979 cc twin-turbo V6 performance.
Key differences
- Price: Jaguar XJ RM658,491; Maserati Ghibli RM538,800
- Power and torque: Jaguar XJ 237 hp/340 Nm; Maserati Ghibli 330 hp/500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Jaguar XJ 7.5 seconds; Maserati Ghibli 5.6 seconds
- Size: Jaguar XJ 5,252 mm long with a 3,157 mm wheelbase; Maserati Ghibli 4,971 mm long with a 2,998 mm wheelbase
- Boot and fuel tank: Jaguar XJ 520 litres/82 litres; Maserati Ghibli 500 litres/70 litres
- Road tax: Jaguar XJ RM380 a year; Maserati Ghibli RM2,078 a year
XJ
- Much longer wheelbase at 3,157 mm versus 2,998 mm
- Rear cabin gets dual-zone climate control, electric rear sunblind and manual rear side sunblinds
- Lower rated fuel use at 9.3 L/100 km and far lower RM380 annual road tax
- Slower: 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus the Ghibli’s 5.6 seconds
- Lower output: 237 hp and 340 Nm versus 330 hp and 500 Nm
- No Euro NCAP or ANCAP rating listed, while the Ghibli has five-star ratings
Ghibli
- Stronger 2,979 cc twin-turbo V6 with 330 hp and 500 Nm
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and higher 263 km/h top speed
- Has a mechanical LSD and full-size spare wheel
- Higher annual road tax at RM2,078 versus RM380
- Smaller boot and fuel tank: 500 litres and 70 litres versus 520 litres and 82 litres
- Rear passengers get air vents only, while the XJ has rear dual-zone climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 658,491 | RM 538,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake and exhaust valve timing | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,979 cc |
| Horsepower | 237 hp | 330 hp✓ |
| Torque | 340 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 86.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1 | 9.7 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Electronic Automatic with Jaguar Sequential Shift | Auto-Adaptive Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.3 L/100 km✓ | 9.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 241 km/h | 263 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 216 g/km✓ | 223 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,252 mm | 4,971 mm |
| Width | 1,899 mm | 1,945 mm |
| Height | 1,457 mm | 1,461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,157 mm | 2,998 mm |
| Weight | 1,660 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45ZR19 | 235/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/40ZR19 | 235/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | 135/70R19 | Full size |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Italy (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double wishbone with stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alfieri |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alfieri |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Mechanical LSD |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, 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 | Yes | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | Three-point seat belts for all five seats |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | Bi-Xenon |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 8-way with adjustable lumbar, driver and passenger |
| Rear Seats | Load-Through Hatch | 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 | Yes | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | Two Front, Two Rear |
| Sun Shade | Front sunvisors with vanity mirrors and illumination, rear electric sunblind, rear manual side sunblind | — |
| Audio | 8" touchscreen navigation system with CD/DVD playback, Aux-in, USB, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and 12 speakers | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four windows, auto up and down with anti-pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Jam-Protection |
| Engine Start | Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | Keyless Entry + Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote boot release |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Free Service at 20,000km, 40,000km, 60,000km |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 380✓ | 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.
XJ vs Ghibli FAQ
Is the Jaguar XJ or Maserati Ghibli better?
The Jaguar XJ is better for rear-seat comfort and lower road tax. The Maserati Ghibli is better for performance, with 330 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Jaguar XJ costs RM119,691 more than the Maserati Ghibli. The XJ is RM658,491, while the Ghibli is RM538,800.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Jaguar XJ is far cheaper on road tax at RM380 a year. The Maserati Ghibli costs RM2,078 a year, mainly because of its larger 2,979 cc engine.