Compare the2022 Maserati GhibliVS 2021 Acura TLX

The Ghibli has standard Anti-Whiplash Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Anti-Whiplash Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The TLX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Ghibli has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the TLX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ghibli has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the TLX.

Both the Ghibli and the TLX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Ghibli’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Ghibli has more powerful engines than the TLX:

As tested in Car and Driver the Ghibli Modena 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6:

The Ghibli has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (21.1 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Ghibli’s brake rotors are larger than those on the TLX:

The Ghibli’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the TLX are solid, not vented.

The Ghibli stops much shorter than the TLX:

For better traction, the Ghibli has larger standard tires than the TLX (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 235/50R18).

The Ghibli’s standard 245/45R19 front and 275/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the TLX’s standard 50 series tires. The Ghibli’s optional 285/30R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the TLX Type S’ 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ghibli has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the TLX. The Ghibli’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the TLX Type S.

The Ghibli has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the TLX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Ghibli’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The TLX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ghibli’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the TLX (118 inches vs. 113 inches).

The Ghibli’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the TLX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Ghibli more stable handling and braking.

The Ghibli Modena Q4 handles at .91 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ghibli Modena Q4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD (25.5 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Ghibli’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the TLX’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.1 feet). The Ghibli’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the TLX 19/20-inch wheels’ (38.4 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Ghibli Modena Q4 is quieter than the TLX Type S (70 vs. 71 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Ghibli a Large car, while the TLX is rated a Compact.

The Ghibli has 14.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (108 vs. 93.4).

The Ghibli has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

The Ghibli has a much larger trunk than the TLX (17.7 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Ghibli’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The TLX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The engine in the Ghibli is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TLX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Ghibli’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The TLX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Ghibli and the TLX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ghibli is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The TLX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Ghibli’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The TLX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Ghibli to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The TLX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Ghibli offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The TLX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Ghibli’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Ghibli has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the TLX.