2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 First Test

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Maintaining a healthy relationship is about more than just saying "I love you." For some people, actions speak louder than words. The 2014 Maserati Ghibli might not be the car for those people. That's because the Ghibli isn't going to work tirelessly in showing that it loves you. It doesn't have to. The Ghibli is best at verbally expressing itself and has the power to sweet-talk you into thinking everything is peachy keen, even when it might not be.

A few MT staffers expressed disappointment in the interior. Cover up that trident logo on the steering wheel, and you almost feel as though you're sitting behind the wheel of a Chrysler. That's because lots of the switchgear is exactly what you'd find in a Chrysler, including the large 8.4-inch screen with UConnect software. "They could've at least changed the font or something," said associate online editor Erick Ayapana. While the Ghibli still has everything typical of a luxury sedan -- a swank analog clock, and intricate stitching on the door panels, dashboard, and seats -- certain elements seem like an afterthought. The removable flimsy rubber strip that protects the auxiliary and USB outlet feels cheap, as does the sunroof cover. The overhead lighting in our Ghibli also looks unfinished, since the wiring inside the cover can be seen at a certain angle. These things aren't terrible, but they don't do the Ghibli justice. Despite those things, the interior is still admirable. The leather is soft and supple, and the black and red dual-tone theme looks excellent. Buttons below the touch screen are kept to a minimum, making the Ghibli's cabin appear tidy and elegant.

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Our tester boasted a number of options, including carbon-fiber trim ($1440), Alcantara leather headliner ($1440), a rear sunshade ($670), and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system ($5100). Paddle shifters, aluminum foot pedals, and a sport suspension came as part of a $1390 sport package, while premium leather, ventilated front seats, and velour floor mats came courtesy of a $4220 luxury package. For those who don't want to damage the Maserati's bumpers, parking sensors can be had as part of a $1780 premium package that also throws in remote start, a smartkey, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. But even with all the options, the Ghibli still doesn't feel as refined as some of its competitors.

It took time to get used to the shift knob because the tip up/down function doesn't have any detents for each gear. Massive paddle shifters stick out from behind the steering wheel like Dumbo ears, making it a bit harder to access the turn-signal stalk. The ride is stiff, and although it made for fun in the corners, long drives on the highway seemed a little bit longer. For a luxury sedan, it's not as silent as you would expect, and the hydraulic steering feels a bit more on the artificial side.

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Associate online editor Nate Martinez also noted the traction-control system felt a bit ragged a few times while accelerating out of a corner. "Power was cut momentarily in those instances, as if the system needed time to think about what to do. The stability and traction control thresholds are low. Those with a heavy right foot would likely consider them annoying."

Rather than split the torque among all four wheels when cruising on dry pavement, Maserati sends 100 percent of the engine's power rearward through an electronically controlled multi-plate wet-clutch until slip is detected. That means that suddenly giving the Ghibli gas from a standstill will make the rear wheels spin for a split second before they quickly catch grip, and since the throttle response is a bit slow, stabbing the accelerator pedal from a stop seemed almost necessary.

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But any faults are long forgotten once the Ghibli S Q4's 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 sings its sweet song. Starting up the car never gets old, as the V-6 lets out a loud roar, like it's angry it's been awakened. Engaging in Sport mode makes the engine sound even more beautiful by opening the exhaust baffles in addition to sharpening the steering and the shift points. A ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic shifts in the blink of an eye, all while sending 404 horses and 406 lb-ft of torque to the wheels, translating to a 0-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds for the 4648-pound Italian beast. Completing the quarter-mile took 13.2 seconds at 105.2 mph, while dancing around the figure eight took 24.8 seconds at 0.78 g average. Although brakes felt a bit squishy, a complete stop from 60 needed an impressive 105 feet. The Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4Matic does all of that better: 0-60 mph took 4.4 seconds, and it passed the quarter-mile mark in 12.9 seconds at 110.6 mph. Its figure-eight time stands at 25.4 seconds at 0.75 g average.

But the CLS550's powertrain won't sweet-talk you as much as the Ghibli does, and as far as we're concerned, we're completely OK with the Ghibli telling us what we want to hear, even if it doesn't necessarily mean it. Anything to listen that Ferrari-sourced mill, which we previously said was "one of the best-sounding engines this side of anything stuffed into an F-car." For that, all we can say is "Butter us up, baby."

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