Verdict
The Maserati Ghibli is the cheaper, lighter driver’s sedan here: RM538,800 against RM738,888, 1,810 kg versus 2,385 kg, a bigger 500-litre boot and a higher 263 km/h top speed. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the car you buy to be driven in. Its extra RM200,088 brings a 3,216 mm wheelbase, air suspension, far richer rear seats, 362 hp plus a 147 hp motor, 100 km of EV running and 1.0 L/100 km rated economy. It is quicker too, but only by 0.4 seconds to 100 km/h.
Ghibli
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want the lower buy-in, lighter rear-drive feel, bigger boot and higher top speed.
S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if rear-seat comfort, driver assistance, hybrid efficiency and in-car tech matter more than the RM200,088 saving.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM738,888
- Powertrain: Ghibli 330 hp/500 Nm petrol V6; S-Class 362 hp/500 Nm petrol engine plus 147 hp/440 Nm motor
- Performance: Ghibli 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 263 km/h; S-Class 5.2 seconds and 250 km/h
- Efficiency and CO2: Ghibli 9.6 L/100 km and 223 g/km; S-Class 1.0 L/100 km and 22 g/km
- Size and weight: Ghibli 4,971 mm long, 2,998 mm wheelbase, 1,810 kg; S-Class 5,289 mm long, 3,216 mm wheelbase, 2,385 kg
- Boot space: Ghibli 500 litres; S-Class 350 litres
Ghibli
- RM200,088 cheaper to buy
- 575 kg lighter, with a higher 263 km/h top speed
- 500-litre boot and a full-size spare tyre
- Slower to 100 km/h: 5.6 seconds versus 5.2 seconds
- Much higher rated fuel use and CO2: 9.6 L/100 km and 223 g/km versus 1.0 L/100 km and 22 g/km
- Rear cabin is far simpler: air vents only versus dual-zone rear climate control and powered rear seats with heating, ventilation and massage
S-Class
- 100 km EV range from a 28.6 kWh battery, with 11 kW AC and 60 kW DC charging
- Longer 3,216 mm wheelbase and power-adjustable rear seats with heating, ventilation, massage and recline
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time at 5.2 seconds
- Costs RM200,088 more to buy
- 575 kg heavier and limited to a lower 250 km/h top speed
- Smaller 350-litre boot and no full-size spare tyre
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800✓ | RM 738,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Electric Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 330 hp | 362 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 147 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 28.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 100 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.6 L/100 km | 1 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 263 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 223 g/km | 22 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,971 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 3,216 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| 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" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| 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 | Adaptive Dampers |
| 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 Knee, Rear Passengers, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Left Cushion |
| 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 with Illumination and Rear Belt Bags |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear 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 | 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests | Power Adjustable Outer Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Folding Rear Pillow Headrests with Built-in Neck Warmers; Powered Ottoman and Leg Rest for Left Seat with Massage Function; Centre Load-through |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Air vents only | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | 4 Front USB-C, 6 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | — | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 11" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System (710 Watts) |
| 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 with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Stop and Go and Speed Limit Assist |
| 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, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,078✓ | RM 2,128 |
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 S-Class FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Mercedes-Benz S-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is stronger on paper: quicker, far better equipped, much cleaner on rated economy and CO2, and able to run up to 100 km on electric power. The Ghibli fights back with price, weight, boot space and top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs RM738,888, which is RM200,088 more than the RM538,800 Maserati Ghibli. Road tax is close: RM2,128 for the S-Class and RM2,078 for the Ghibli.
Which one has the better rear seat?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the clear rear-seat advantage, with power-adjustable outer rear seats, memory, heating, ventilation, massage, one-touch recline, powered sunshades and dual-zone rear climate control. The Ghibli has rear air vents and a fold-down centre armrest.