Verdict
At RM468,888, the Lexus RX undercuts the Maserati Ghibli by RM69,912 and makes more sense for Malaysian family use: it has five doors, a 612-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a far broader safety and assistance suite. Its 275 hp turbo four takes 7.6 seconds to 100 km/h, however, where the Ghibli’s 330 hp twin-turbo V6 and rear-wheel drive do it in 5.6 seconds. The Maserati is the driver’s pick, but its RM2,078 annual road tax versus RM754 also matters.
Pick the Lexus RX if you need the larger 612-litre boot, all-wheel drive and active safety aids including autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time, 330 hp twin-turbo V6 and rear-wheel drive matter more than space and assistance systems.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Maserati Ghibli RM538,800.
- Performance: Lexus RX 275 hp, 430 Nm and 7.6 sec 0-100 km/h; Maserati Ghibli 330 hp, 500 Nm and 5.6 sec.
- Driveline: Lexus RX all-wheel drive; Maserati Ghibli rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 litres; Maserati Ghibli 500 litres.
- Body and height: Lexus RX is a 5-door, 1,695 mm-tall SUV; Maserati Ghibli is a 4-door, 1,461 mm-tall sedan.
- Annual road tax: Lexus RX RM754; Maserati Ghibli RM2,078.
RX
- RM69,912 less expensive.
- 612-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Ghibli’s 5.6 seconds.
- 275 hp and 430 Nm fall short of the Ghibli’s 330 hp and 500 Nm.
- No sunroof, while the Ghibli gets a tilt-and-slide unit.
Ghibli
- 330 hp, 500 Nm twin-turbo V6 and 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Rear-wheel drive and mechanical limited-slip differential.
- Gets a full-size spare tyre and tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- Costs RM69,912 more.
- 500-litre boot is 112 litres smaller than the RX’s.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring or reverse camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 468,888✓ | RM 538,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 2,979 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp | 330 hp✓ |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 86.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 9.7 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | Auto-Adaptive Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 263 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 223 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,971 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,945 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,998 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 235/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 235/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Italy (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double wishbone with stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 18" Alfieri |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 18" Alfieri |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | 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, Driver's Knee | 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Bi-Xenon |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | 8-way with adjustable lumbar, driver and passenger |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Air vents only |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | Two Front, Two Rear |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 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 | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry + Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote boot release |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Free Service at 20,000km, 40,000km, 60,000km |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 754✓ | 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.
RX vs Ghibli FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Maserati Ghibli better?
The Lexus RX is the better family and daily-use choice, with a 612-litre boot, all-wheel drive, 360-degree camera and active safety aids. Choose the Maserati Ghibli for its 330 hp V6, rear-wheel drive and much quicker 5.6-second sprint.
What is the price difference?
The Maserati Ghibli costs RM69,912 more than the Lexus RX. Its annual road tax is also RM1,324 higher, at RM2,078 against RM754.
Which has more boot space?
The Lexus RX has more luggage capacity at 612 litres, compared with 500 litres for the Maserati Ghibli. The RX also has five doors, while the Ghibli is a four-door sedan.