Compare the2022 Maserati GhibliVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Ghibli’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan.

Both the Ghibli and the C-Class Sedan 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, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Ghibli has a standard 850-amp battery. The C-Class Sedan’s 800-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Ghibli is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Ghibli’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The C-Class Sedan’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Ghibli GT’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 90 more horsepower (345 vs. 255) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Ghibli Modena’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 169 more horsepower (424 vs. 255) and 155 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Ghibli Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 325 more horsepower (580 vs. 255) and 265 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Ghibli has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (21.1 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Ghibli has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Ghibli’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the Ghibli has larger standard tires than the C-Class Sedan (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 225/50R17). The Ghibli’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (F:245/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

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 C-Class Sedan’s 50 series tires. The Ghibli’s optional 245/35R21 front and 285/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the C-Class Sedan’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ghibli has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan. The Ghibli’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Ghibli offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ghibli’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the C-Class Sedan (118 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ghibli is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

The Ghibli Modena Q4 handles at .91 G’s, while the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ghibli Modena Q4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC (25.5 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

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

The Ghibli has 18 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (108 vs. 90).

The Ghibli has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

The front step up height for the Ghibli is 1.8 inches lower than the C-Class Sedan (14.75” vs. 16.5”). The Ghibli’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the C-Class Sedan’s (15.5” vs. 16.8”).

The Ghibli has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (17.7 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Ghibli easier. The Ghibli’s trunk lift-over height is 25.8 inches, while the C-Class Sedan’s liftover is 28 inches.

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 C-Class Sedan does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the Ghibli and the C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. The Ghibli also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan.