Faults:

Faults in the rearview camera, parking sensors, headlights, and side mirrors.

Electric mechanisms that stop responding or get stuck halfway through their travel.

Premature noise or looseness in the front subframe area.

Minor oil leaks.

Sensitivity of electronic multi-plate clutches.

The cost of specific spare parts and specialized labor is, obviously, considerably high.

General Comments:

Any opportunity to drive a Maserati is one worth seizing. The setting matters little; what counts is that you are driving a Maserati—and this car proves exactly why.

As for driving pleasure, it was limited to brief bursts of power from the twin-turbo V6 as I merged at the back of the line. And the next one. And the next. The crackle, pop, and snap of the exhaust when shifting from first to second gear using the paddle shifters provided the perfect finishing touch to those five seconds of fun.

With all driving aids deactivated, the Ghibli retains a distinct rear-wheel-drive bias. Under normal driving conditions, all power is sent to the rear wheels; in extreme conditions, half is directed to the front. The result is a sedan that offers the driving fun inherent to rear-wheel drive, combined with the added traction and safety of a fast-reacting all-wheel-drive system when the situation demands it.

Another key aspect of the Ghibli S Q4 is its speed. The sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, a highly respectable time for its class. Undoubtedly, even on snowy or icy roads where traction is minimal, a distinct surge of acceleration is felt when the Ghibli is in motion. Moreover, it is thrilling to hear the roar of the exhaust and watch the rear wheels kick up snow with impressive boldness.

The Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 engine is the star of the eco-car, but the all-wheel-drive system is a close second.

As for the car's other qualities, there is much to praise. Its styling seems to have struck the perfect balance between Italian sensuality and everyday practicality. The rear seat and trunk are not particularly spacious, but the same could be said of many mid-size sedans.

The interior offers a comfortable and luxurious atmosphere, with a design that is less radical than that of the latest Quattroporte. The Maserati steering wheel is impressive. The seats and leather detailing are sumptuous. The gear selector and center console are, as expected, designed for ease of use. The navigation screen is overly prominent, but that seems to be the trend these days.

The Maserati Ghibli S Q4 has a lot to offer, undoubtedly more than enough to entertain the average driver of a luxury German sedan. It's a fuel-efficient car with a Ferrari engine. That is priceless.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I had a MB E350 2014 with so much technical eco crap, that I gave up and traded it in for this Maserati, and I love it.

With only 600 miles, I feel the twin turbos and the great sound it makes when it takes me from 0-60 in less than 4.7 seconds, and it was very reasonably priced at $81,700 USD.

Faults:

The car has been flawless apart from two electrical niggles. One TDI sensor shorted which was an inconvenience as it means you end of driving with only one bank of cylinders, but it was easily fixed.

General Comments:

This is an amazing piece of Italian engineering and was over $200,000 when new. The old owner reported that it is the only white Ghibli in Australia. The car has a plush leather interior with walnut trimmed dashboard. There is an amazing sound system including a Pioneer amplified, Alpine 6 stack CD shuffle in the boot and (speaker system. It has performance like you wouldn't believe and not a safety feature in the world - no ABS, no traction control, nothing. Just raw power that puts the boot in your backside when you put your foot down. An exciting and exhilarating machine.