Maserati Ghibli vs Porsche Panamera
Verdict
At RM538,800 versus RM1,300,000, the Maserati Ghibli asks far less money, yet it still brings 330 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Porsche Panamera is the quicker, more technically armed car on paper, with 348 hp, all-wheel drive, a wet dual-clutch gearbox, 5.1 seconds to 100 km/h, eight airbags and AEB. For a Malaysian buyer, the gap is huge: the Ghibli covers the basics with more boot space, while the Panamera buys speed, safety kit and warranty.
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want the lower RM538,800 buy-in, 500 Nm of torque and a slightly larger 500-litre boot.
Pick the Porsche Panamera if you want the quicker 5.1-second sprint, all-wheel drive, AEB and a four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Porsche Panamera RM1,300,000
- Power and torque: Maserati Ghibli 330 hp/500 Nm; Porsche Panamera 348 hp/500 Nm
- Drivetrain: Maserati Ghibli rear-wheel drive; Porsche Panamera all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Maserati Ghibli 5.6 s/263 km/h; Porsche Panamera 5.1 s/272 km/h
- Boot and fuel tank: Maserati Ghibli 500 L/70 L; Porsche Panamera 494 L/90 L
- Safety and warranty: Maserati Ghibli 6 airbags/3 years; Porsche Panamera 8 airbags/4 years
Ghibli
- Much lower RM538,800 price
- 500-litre boot is slightly larger
- Longer 2,998 mm wheelbase
- Slower 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Six airbags and no AEB
- Higher RM2,078 annual road tax
Panamera
- Quicker 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive with wet dual-clutch automatic
- Eight airbags, AEB and four-year warranty
- Costs RM761,200 more
- Smaller 494-litre boot
- Shorter 2,950 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800✓ | RM 1,300,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | 2,894 cc |
| Horsepower | 330 hp | 348 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | V |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | PDK |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Porsche |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.1 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 263 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 223 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,971 mm | 5,052 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,937 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,423 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 1,980 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 494 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 265/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 295/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double wishbone with stabilizer bar | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 19" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Mechanical LSD | Porsche Active Suspension Management with Adaptive two-chamber air suspension and two-valve 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 and Front Passenger Knee, Front Side, Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electric 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 | Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon | Matrix LED Projectors |
| 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 Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| 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 Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot; 2 USB-C Ports Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | Two Front, Two Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Side Window Sunshades, Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Porsche Communications Module, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 Push Button |
| 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 sensors | 6 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 | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| 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 1,865✓ |
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 Panamera FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Porsche Panamera better?
The Porsche Panamera is better on performance and safety equipment, with 348 hp, 5.1 seconds to 100 km/h, all-wheel drive, eight airbags and AEB. The Maserati Ghibli is the value pick, costing far less while still offering 330 hp and 500 Nm.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Panamera costs RM1,300,000, while the Maserati Ghibli costs RM538,800. That is a RM761,200 gap before considering running costs, insurance or options.
Which car is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Porsche Panamera is quicker, taking 5.1 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The Maserati Ghibli takes 5.6 seconds, so the Porsche is half a second faster.