Maserati Ghibli vs Toyota Alphard
Verdict
At RM538,800 versus RM548,000, the Maserati Ghibli is the cheaper car here, and it spends its money on pace: 330 hp, 500 Nm, rear-wheel drive, a ZF eight-speed auto and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The Toyota Alphard counters as a far more useful Malaysian luxury tool, with seven seats, dual-zone rear air-conditioning, ottoman captain’s chairs, a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and RM754 road tax. The Maserati is the driver’s pick. The Toyota is the one to be chauffeured in.
Ghibli
Pick the Maserati Ghibli if you want the faster, lower, rear-driven executive sedan with 330 hp, 500 Nm and a 263 km/h top speed.
Alphard
Pick the Toyota Alphard if you need seven seats, powered sliding doors, stronger driver assistance and proper second-row comfort.
Key differences
- Price: Maserati Ghibli RM538,800; Toyota Alphard RM548,000
- Power and torque: Maserati Ghibli 330 hp/500 Nm; Toyota Alphard 274 hp/430 Nm
- Seats: Maserati Ghibli 5; Toyota Alphard 7
- Top speed: Maserati Ghibli 263 km/h; Toyota Alphard 180 km/h
- Fuel use: Maserati Ghibli 9.6 L/100 km; Toyota Alphard 9.0 L/100 km
- Warranty: Maserati Ghibli 3 years/100,000 km; Toyota Alphard 5 years/unlimited mileage
Ghibli
- Much stronger performance, with 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive with a mechanical LSD
- RM9,200 cheaper before insurance
- Only five seats against the Alphard’s seven
- No autonomous braking, blind spot monitor, 360-degree camera or adaptive cruise control
- Higher RM2,078 annual road tax
Alphard
- Seven-seat MPV layout with ottoman captain’s chairs
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go, steering assist and pre-collision braking
- Longer 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Lower outputs at 274 hp and 430 Nm
- Top speed is capped at 180 km/h versus the Ghibli’s 263 km/h
- 425 kg heavier than the Ghibli
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 538,800✓ | RM 548,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC twin turbocharged V6, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | 2,979 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 330 hp✓ | 274 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86.5 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Auto-Adaptive Transmission | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 9.6 L/100 km | 9 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 263 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | 223 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,971 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,998 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double wishbone with stabilizer bar | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alfieri | 19" 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 | — |
| 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 |
| 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 | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon | LED Projector with Auto 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down centre armrest, three rear headrests | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| 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 | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | Two Front, Two Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 8.4 inch Maserati Touch Control, 280W audio system with 8 speakers, CD/DVD/MP3/USB support | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Jam-Protection | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power sliding with soft close function |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Free Service at 20,000km, 40,000km, 60,000km | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,078 | RM 754✓ |
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 Alphard FAQ
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Toyota Alphard better?
The Toyota Alphard is better for luxury-family use, with seven seats, more driver assistance, rear air-conditioning and a longer warranty. The Maserati Ghibli is better if you prioritise acceleration, rear-wheel drive and sedan handling.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard costs RM9,200 more than the Maserati Ghibli, at RM548,000 versus RM538,800.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Toyota Alphard is much cheaper to tax at RM754 a year. The Maserati Ghibli’s annual road tax is RM2,078.