Verdict
The RM39,912 cheaper Mercedes-Benz GLE makes the stronger Malaysian family case: its 31 kWh battery and 114 km EV range can cut petrol use on shorter charging-led journeys, while five doors, 40:20:40 rear seats and air suspension suit its SUV brief. It also brings blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and surround-view parking assistance. The Maserati Ghibli is the driver’s choice, though. Its 330 hp and 500 Nm V6 sends it from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, half a second ahead of the GLE, and its 500-litre boot is marginally larger.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if a 330 hp, 500 Nm rear-wheel-drive sedan with a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time matters more than PHEV running and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want the lower-priced PHEV SUV with 114 km EV range, all-wheel drive and substantially broader convenience and safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Powertrain: Ghibli 330 hp/500 Nm 2,979 cc twin-turbo V6; GLE 248 hp/400 Nm 1,999 cc petrol PHEV plus 154 hp/440 Nm motor.
- Acceleration: Ghibli 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds; GLE in 6.1 seconds.
- EV hardware: Ghibli has no battery or EV range; GLE has a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging.
- Kerb weight: Ghibli 1,810 kg; GLE 2,685 kg.
- Warranty: Ghibli three years/100,000 km; GLE four years/unlimited mileage, plus eight years/160,000 km for its battery.
Ghibli
- 330 hp and 500 Nm, with a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Rear-wheel drive, mechanical limited-slip differential and 1,810 kg kerb weight.
- 500-litre boot and full-size spare tyre.
- No PHEV battery, EV range or AC charging capability.
- Lacks the GLE's blind-spot system, autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and surround-view camera.
- Shorter three-year/100,000 km warranty and RM2,078 annual road tax.
GLE
- 31 kWh PHEV battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW Type 2 AC charging.
- All-wheel drive, air suspension with adaptive damping, and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance, massage and ventilated front seats.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time despite its PHEV assistance.
- 875 kg heavier than the Ghibli.
- 490-litre boot is 10 litres smaller and it has only a tyre repair kit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800 | RM 498,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 330 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 6.1 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 | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | N/A, 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 | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 21" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Cross-drilled Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests | 40:20:40 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 Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | Two Front, Two Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with Surround View 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,078 | RM 440✓ |
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 GLE FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The GLE is better for family use and lower road tax, with PHEV driving, all-wheel drive and more active safety kit. Choose the Ghibli for stronger outright performance: 330 hp, 500 Nm and 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM39,912 less than the Maserati Ghibli. It also has lower annual road tax, at RM440 versus RM2,078.
Can the Mercedes-Benz GLE drive on electric power?
Yes. The GLE has a 31 kWh lithium-ion battery, one 154 hp/440 Nm electric motor, 114 km EV range and 11 kW Type 2 AC charging. The Ghibli is petrol-only.