Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Maserati Ghibli

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS Series have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Maserati Ghibli doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The IS Series’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Ghibli doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Pre-Collision System in the IS Series as “Superior.” The Ghibli scores only 1 point and is rated only “Basic.”

The IS Series has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Ghibli doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the IS Series and the Ghibli have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS Series the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ghibli has not been fully tested, yet, but doesn’t qualify for 2017 “Top Pick.”

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS Series 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Maserati covers the Ghibli. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Ghibli ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The IS Series’ corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Ghibli’s (6/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 2 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the IS Series’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS Series’ reliability 77 points higher than the Ghibli.

On the EPA test cycle the IS Series gets better fuel mileage than the Ghibli:

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the Ghibli’s (34.2 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Ghibli’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Lexus IS Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Maserati Ghibli.

The IS Series is 11.4 inches shorter than the Ghibli, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The IS Series is 5.3 inches narrower than the Ghibli, making the IS Series easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The IS Series 300 RWD offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Ghibli doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the Ghibli S Q4:

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS Series offers cargo security. The Ghibli’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the IS Series. The Ghibli doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional in the Ghibli, the IS Series offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Lexus IS Series outsold the Maserati Ghibli by almost five to one during 2017.