Italian luxury car manufacturer, Maserati, needs no introduction. With a heritage spanning more than 100 years, Maserati has a rich history of producing some of the finest cars and displaying incredible performance to leave a lasting impression in the world of motorsport. While a lot of that history included some major upsets, the Trident brand has withstood the ill fates of time. Today, Maserati is a part of Stellantis, and it seems like a good fit for the storied Italian car manufacturer.

If you look at their current lineup of cars, Maserati does have an interesting mix, but they are still a very small car manufacturer. The Ghibli is the entry point into the world of Maserati, and it’s a beautiful compact luxury sedan, no doubt. But, if you are looking to buy a Maserati, you would expect some level of exhilarating performance. The Ghibli of the past was either a V8 grand tourer or twin-turbo coupe. In 2013, the Ghibli came back as an executive sedan, but the GT didn’t tick all the right boxes for performance.

Enter the Ghibli Trofeo – Maserati’s luxury performance super sedan. Because of Maserati’s close association with Ferrari, they have been using the engines from the prancing horse’s stable. The Ghibli Trofeo in this case gets Ferrari's 3.8-liter V8 twin-turbo. Not bad for a luxury sedan!

With a powerful engine now planted in Maserati’s baby sedan, the Ghibli Trofeo looks to compete against some of the most popular performance sedans in the world, including the BMW M5, and the Mercedes-AMG E63. But does it have enough to take on the best in the business? Well, we are about to find out.

2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo

9.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Active Blind Spot Assist
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Surround View Camera
  • 10.1-inch Infotainment Display
  • Skyhook Suspension
Specifications
  • Model: 2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo
  • Engine/Motor: 3.8-liter, Twin Turbo, V8
  • Horsepower: 580hp
  • Torque: 538 lb-ft
  • Drivetrain: Front-engine / RWD
  • Transmission: 8-speed AT
Pros
  • Strong Design
  • V8 Ferrari-Derived Engine
  • Smooth Ride Quality
Cons
  • Basic Interiors
  • Priced Too High

Related: The Trident: The True Origin Of The Epic Maserati Logo

The Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Is An Italian Muscle Car

2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo
Via Jared Solomon

Don’t believe me? Well, take a look at the car given to me. It has a wide single racing strip down the middle. It took me a while to get used to seeing that on a Maserati. If you look at the design of the car, it’s got some muscle car attributes as well. The striking coupe design and silhouette of the car give it that proper sports car road stance. The smoothly sculpted hood and the well-thought-out front grille give it a fierce face. The accentuated and flared wheel arches, and the strong lines across the side profile all add significant muscle to the exterior design.

2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Front Three Quarter
Via: Jared Solomon

This is an Italian car, after all, so there is a certain level of elegance the Ghibli Trofeo displays. There is high-gloss carbon fiber on the front, rear, and side air intakes. The hood gets cleverly designed air extractors. There is the Trofeo badge on top of the brand’s iconic lateral air vents, and in this case, they have red accents. The Italian flag is discretely positioned on the B-pillar and the iconic Saetta (trident) logo is on the C-pillar – it too gets red accents.

The Ghibli Trofeo does have a great road presence, no doubt, and it sits on 21-inch forged wheels with a dark finish that adds more character to the design. The Brembo brakes peak through them pretty nicely.

2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Interior
Via: Jared Solomon

Step inside the cabin, and you are greeted by a pretty luxurious dashboard but, there isn't much that screams out and says ‘I’m a full-blown luxury performance car.’ The interior setup is pretty basic. It does get nice carbon-texture seats, and there is a bit of carbon fiber placed all over the dash and the doors. But there isn’t anything special about the design, and it lacks a certain appeal I would expect from an Italian performance car. In this case, the Germans clearly have it beat. The interiors are more reminiscent of an American-made car. The overall quality isn’t spectacular, either. To put it bluntly, the design and fit-and-finish are average. That’s why I would call the Ghibli a muscle car. Plus, it’s got the performance to match.

A Twin-Turbo V8 Ferrari Engine, What Else Could You Ask For?

Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Engine Ferrari
Via: Jared Solomon

Well, you could ask for a lot of things, but the fact that the Ghibli Trofeo gets this Ferrari-derived engine is what makes it clearly stand out. It may not be as powerful as the BMW M5, which makes 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, or the 603hp V8 in the Mercedes-AMG E63 S that pumps out 627 lb-ft, but the Ghibli Trofeo still has enough to offer drivers looking for fast-paced fun.

This V8 engine is the most potent powertrain ever fitted into a Ghibli. It brings racing technology and performance to an everyday drive. The performance is up there with the rest of the competition and with 580hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, there is still plenty of power to blow you away. The Ghibli can also reach a top speed of 203mph, which it makes it one of the faster cars on the road.

2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Rear Three Quarter
Jared Solomon

If we look at the Maserati Ghibli for what it is, it’s essentially a luxury sedan. But the Trofeo gets a V8 Ferrari engine that’s no joke, and that adds more versatility to the equation. You get different driving modes to choose from, and the Ghibli Trofeo can go from an easy driving smooth ride to a full-blown performance sedan without any hesitation. For a twin-turbo, the acceleration is very impressive, and the throttle response is adequate even when in Normal mode, where the Ghibli has pretty easy-going driving dynamics. Switch to Sport mode, and you get better throttle response and sharper steering feedback. If you want to go all-out, Corsa mode offers the most exciting engine performance, the moment you press down on the button to activate it you will hear the exhaust note change its mood immediately. In Corsa, the engine summons every bit of power and if you step on the gas with all your weight you can get from 0-60mph in 3.8-seconds, which is pretty damn fast if you ask me. The transmission is also seamless no matter which mode you are in, but if you want more controlled shifts, the paddles are right behind the steering wheel.

If efficiency is your concern, there is also ICE mode, which stands for Improved Control and Efficiency. What this does is lower all the performance dynamics. But if you’re buying a luxury sedan that has a Ferrari engine, I don’t quite see the point.

Related: Here's What Maserati Owners Keep Quiet About

The Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Has Some More Tricks Up Its Sleeve

Aside from the fact that I was driving a sedan powered by a Ferrari engine, the Ghibli Trofeo did surprise me in more ways than one. The seats on the Ghibli are very comfortable. Although the cabin is pretty small, and for someone of my size it does feel a little cramped at first, but once I started to drive, the comfort level surprised me. I would drive the Ghibli Trofeo all day long and not once did I feel any discomfort. The ergonomics are also pretty good, with everything you need within easy reach. The switch controls are easy to operate, and so is the infotainment system.

The overall ride quality is also impressive. The suspension setup is nice, and although it is adjustable, in all configurations the Ghibli Trofeo managed to offer a supple and smooth riding experience. It’s not under-damped, and it’s nowhere as stiff as the Mercedes-AMG. On the highway is where the Ghibli really shined when it came to ride quality, and this showed its true GT character. All of this is thanks to Maserati’s Skyhook air suspension system.

While the ride is beautiful, the Ghibli can still be thrown around twisty sections of tarmac with ease. Keep in mind that the Ghibli Trofeo is rear-wheel drive only, and this plays a big part in the acceleration and handling of the vehicle. If you are a purist, you will be happy to know that this RWD Ferrari-powered Maserati luxury sedan handles incredibly well. If you drive in Sport mode you can keep a lot of the stability under control thanks to the safety tech, but if you decide to put it in Corsa mode you will begin to feel the classic sports car vibes the Ghibli Trofeo has to offer. The steering isn’t as direct, nor does it provide the feedback that the German cars do, but it still goes in the direction you point it in. Turn-in is always quick and there is a good amount of body-roll. Powering out of a sharp corner with a RWD vehicle can be a little tricky when you have 538 lb-ft of torque at your disposal, but the Ghibli doesn’t let you get into trouble easily. The Pirelli P Zero PZ4s also offer great amounts of grip.

You could very well take the Ghibli Trofeo to a racetrack for some extra fun and get the rear to drift out. You might not be able to keep up with your friends who drive an M5, but you will still be having a great time with this car.

The Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Is A Niche Sports Car

2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo
Via: Jared Solomon

Although powered by a Ferrari engine, this is a Maserati. It’s still more luxury car than it is sports car. The exhaust note is subdued unless you press down hard on the throttle, and high levels of performance can only be enjoyed if you push the car hard. The Ghibli Trofeo is more refined, and the engine in this case has more manners. The Maserati design is also pretty unique when you look at other cars in this segment. It has a good blend of muscle and elegance. It clearly stands out from the rest when you see it on the road.

The downside of the Ghibli Trofeo is that it’s expensive for what it offers when it comes to luxury. The interiors are bland, the dashboard is uninspiring, and there isn't too much to offer in terms of tech features. With a price tag starting at $118,500 the Maserati Ghibli Trofeo is nowhere as sophisticated as its German competitors. If you look at the performance, the Ghibli Trofeo can be more comparable to a Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye. But even that still isn’t bad by any means. The interiors also do have some old-school charm to them with the analog dials.

It’s the Maserati badge on the car at the end of the day that make it an interesting option, and North America is the brand’s biggest markets, especially in California. When I was driving around in the Ghibli, I had more eyes on me than I could remember. Customers looking for a luxury sedan that can offer them high performance, while making them stand out from the crowd, will in this case find the Maserati Ghibli Trofeo to be a compelling car.