Maserati. The name conjures images of jet-setting celebrities and racing thrills. After all, in his song, "Life's Been Good," Joe Walsh didn't brag that his Toyota "does 185." Now, the Ghibli, which starts around $70,000 -- about $40,000 less other Maserati models -- allows mere mortals to share in the storied brand's glamour.
Mystique aside, however, this Maserati doesn't really gel as a package that fully delivers on its promise of sporty elegance.
Maserati, like Chrysler and Ferrari, is owned by Fiat. And the Ghibli's "entry level" price was achieved through a creative sharing of parts. The Maserati-designed engine, built by Ferrari, is the main attraction. Chassis basics come from the Chrysler 300 and previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class. And yes, some interior switches match those found in Dodge Darts.
The Ghibli, which refers to a hot Saharan wind, delivers on an emotional level. The throaty exhaust note is soul-stirring. The 404-hp turbocharged V6 engine, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission, provides breathtaking acceleration, especially in Sport mode, when the transmission upshifts in a rapid-fire style. The communicative, well-weighted steering is reassuring. And the suede and leather interior adds to the rich ambience.
But there are many aspects of the car that are underdeveloped. The Ghibli's overly firm ride allows most bumps to come through strongly, with only a token level of isolation. And ride motions tend to make the car feel a bit unsettled.
Handling is fairly agile but not overtly sporty. The steering provides great feedback but isn't particularly quick. And despite the stiff suspension, the Ghibli displays more body lean in corners that one might expect, although it was secure when pushed to its handling limits on our track.
Our all-wheel-drive Ghibli S Q4 has plenty of power, but the initial turbo lag can make it feel a bit flat and underwhelming when you first hit the throttle. We measured only 19 mpg overall, which is among the lowest in the class. And the fussy electronic shift lever is frustrating to use.
The Ghibli's exhaust note can be invigorating, but the car suffers from pronounced wind noise on the highway and a constant drone in the cabin that drew complaints, especially from our rear-seat passengers.
The front seats are good-sized and decently shaped, but they aren't anything special. And the tight rear seat, with its skimpy leg room, is a letdown.
One high point is the Chrysler-based touch-screen infotainment system. Unlike the systems in many competitors, it's intuitive and easy to use.
The interior is impressively dressed in rich, high-quality materials, but we found huge gaps in the trim and cheap-looking switches from the Chrysler parts bins.
Even if you view the Ghibli as a four-door sports coupe rather than a cushy and accommodating sedan, those flaws and compromises are not befitting a car, such as ours, costing almost $90,000.