Maserati Ghibli vs Mercedes-Benz EQS
Verdict
For Malaysia, the Maserati Ghibli is the cheaper, petrol-led choice, with rear-wheel drive, 330 hp, 500 Nm and a 263 km/h top speed. The Mercedes-Benz EQS asks RM110,088 more, but its dual-motor AWD layout brings 443 hp, a quicker 4.8-second century sprint, 696 km EV range, 610 litres of boot space, 11 airbags, AEB and a lower RM715 annual road tax. The Ghibli is the sharper buy for petrol traditionalists; the EQS is the stronger daily luxury tool on paper.
Ghibli
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want petrol, rear-wheel drive, a conventional automatic and the higher 263 km/h top speed.
EQS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQS if you want EV range, all-wheel drive, stronger acceleration, more boot space and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Mercedes-Benz EQS RM648,888
- Power and drive: Ghibli 330 hp, rear-wheel drive; EQS 443 hp, all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h/top speed: Ghibli 5.6 s/263 km/h; EQS 4.8 s/210 km/h
- Energy: Ghibli petrol at 9.6 L/100 km; EQS electric with 108.4 kWh battery and 696 km range
- Wheelbase/boot: Ghibli 2,998 mm/500 L; EQS 3,210 mm/610 L
- Airbags/road tax: Ghibli 6/RM2,078; EQS 11/RM715
Ghibli
- RM110,088 cheaper to buy
- Higher 263 km/h top speed
- Rear-wheel drive with 500 Nm
- Slower 5.6-second 0-100 km/h
- Only 6 airbags; no AEB
- Higher RM2,078 annual road tax
EQS
- 443 hp with all-wheel drive
- 696 km EV range
- 610 L boot, 11 airbags and AEB
- RM110,088 dearer to buy
- Lower 210 km/h top speed
- Longer 5,216 mm body to place in tight parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800✓ | RM 648,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 330 hp | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 443 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 828 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 108.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 696 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 263 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Co2 | 223 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,971 mm | 5,216 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,926 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,512 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 3,210 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,480 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 610 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 255/45R20 |
| 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 with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 20" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Mechanical LSD | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| 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, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Seat Belt Bag |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way with adjustable lumbar, driver and passenger | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests | Power-adjustable Rear Seats, Heated and Ventilated, 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Air vents only | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | 1 Front, 6 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | Two Front, Two Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 17.7" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 12.3" OLED Touchscreen for Front Passenger; 11.6" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Jam-Protection | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry + Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front and Rear Qi Wireless Chargers, Rear Wireless Headsets |
| 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 | 10 Years/250,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,078 | RM 715✓ |
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 EQS FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Mercedes-Benz EQS better?
On paper, the Mercedes-Benz EQS is better for most buyers: 443 hp, 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h, 696 km range, 610 litres of boot space, 11 airbags, AEB and a four-year warranty. Choose the Ghibli for petrol, rear-wheel drive and 263 km/h.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is RM110,088 more expensive. The gap buys more power, AWD, quicker acceleration, a larger boot, more airbags, AEB, an extra year of warranty and lower annual road tax.
Which one has cheaper road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is cheaper on road tax at RM715 a year, against RM2,078 for the Maserati Ghibli. That is a RM1,363 annual saving for the EQS.