Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the easier Malaysian buy: it is RM182,912 cheaper, CKD rather than Italy CBU, has a four-year unlimited-mileage warranty and costs RM380 a year in road tax. It also gets the richer driver-assist kit. The Maserati Ghibli answers with the numbers enthusiasts care about, using a 2,979 cc twin-turbo V6 with 330 hp and 500 Nm to hit 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. That is not subtle. But for daily executive sedan duty, the E-Class gives up pace and gains plenty of usable kit.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want the quicker rear-drive sedan, with 330 hp, 500 Nm, a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a full-size spare.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the more sensible ownership package, with the lower RM355,888 price, RM380 road tax, more safety tech and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM355,888
- Powertrain output: Ghibli 330 hp and 500 Nm; E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm, plus a 23 hp/205 Nm motor
- Performance: Ghibli 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 263 km/h; E-Class 7.5 seconds and 240 km/h
- Boot space: Ghibli 500 litres; E-Class 540 litres
- Warranty and road tax: Ghibli 3 years/100,000 km and RM2,078 yearly; E-Class 4 years/unlimited mileage and RM380 yearly
- Parking kit: Ghibli 4 front and 4 rear sensors with no reverse camera; E-Class 6 front and 6 rear sensors with a 360-degree camera
Ghibli
- Much stronger V6 output: 330 hp and 500 Nm
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Full-size spare tyre
- Costs RM182,912 more
- Higher yearly road tax at RM2,078 versus RM380
- Lacks listed blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and 360-degree camera
E-Class
- Lower purchase price and road tax
- Longer four-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- More listed driver-assist and parking features
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower engine output at 201 hp and 320 Nm
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800 | RM 355,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 330 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 9.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 263 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Co2 | 223 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,971 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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 | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Mechanical LSD | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front and Passenger, Side, and Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | Three-point seat belts for all five seats | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Air vents only | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | Two Front, Two Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Jam-Protection | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Entry + Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote boot release | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 380✓ |
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 E-Class FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the better all-round buy on price, warranty, road tax and safety kit. The Maserati Ghibli is better if performance matters most, with 330 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Maserati Ghibli costs RM538,800, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM355,888. The gap is RM182,912, with the Maserati also carrying a higher yearly road tax bill of RM2,078 versus RM380.
Which car is faster?
The Maserati Ghibli is faster. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and reaches 263 km/h, compared with 7.5 seconds and 240 km/h for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.