Verdict
The Maserati Ghibli costs RM538,800 against RM999,888 for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL, so the RM461,088 gap is not small. The Maserati is the more practical car: five seats, a 500-litre boot and a 2,998 mm wheelbase suit family use better. The Mercedes counters as the quicker, sharper indulgence, with 375 hp, 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a 275 km/h top speed. It also has AEB and a four-year warranty. But for Malaysian running costs, its RM376 road tax is far kinder than the Ghibli’s RM2,078.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want a rear-drive executive sedan with five seats, 500 litres of boot space and a much lower purchase price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the quicker convertible with 375 hp, AEB, a four-year warranty and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888
- Body and seating: Maserati Ghibli sedan with 5 seats; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL convertible with 4 seats
- Output: Maserati Ghibli 330 hp and 500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp and 480 Nm
- Performance: Maserati Ghibli 0-100 km/h in 5.6 s, 263 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 s, 275 km/h
- Size and boot: Maserati Ghibli 4,971 mm long with 500 L; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4,705 mm long with 240 L
- Road tax: Maserati Ghibli RM2,078 a year; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM376 a year
Ghibli
- Much cheaper to buy
- Five seats and 500-litre boot
- Longer 2,998 mm wheelbase
- Slower 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM2,078 annual road tax
- No AEB listed
AMG SL
- Quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Convertible body with 275 km/h top speed
- AEB and four-year warranty
- Costs RM461,088 more
- Only four seats and 240-litre boot
- Shorter 2,700 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800✓ | RM 999,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 330 hp | 375 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 480 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 263 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 223 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,971 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 305/30R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double wishbone with stabilizer bar | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Mechanical LSD | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front and Passenger, Side, and Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | Three-point seat belts for all five seats | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way with adjustable lumbar, driver and passenger | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Air vents only | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | Two Front, Two Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Jam-Protection | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry + Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote boot release | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 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 | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Free Service at 20,000km, 40,000km, 60,000km | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,078 | RM 376✓ |
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.
Ghibli vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
The Maserati Ghibli is better for space and price, with five seats and a 500-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is better for pace and safety kit, with 375 hp, 4.9-second 0-100 km/h and AEB.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM999,888, while the Maserati Ghibli costs RM538,800. That makes the Mercedes RM461,088 more expensive.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax in Malaysia?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has much lower annual road tax at RM376. The Maserati Ghibli is RM2,078 a year, a difference of RM1,702 annually.