Compare the2023 Maserati GhibliVS 2023 Lexus IS

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 IS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Ghibli and the IS 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

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 IS’ camshafts. If the IS’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 IS’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Ghibli has more powerful engines than the IS:

As tested in Motor Trend the Ghibli Modena 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Lexus IS:

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Ghibli’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The IS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Ghibli has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the IS (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 IS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Ghibli Trofeo’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The IS doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Ghibli stops much shorter than the IS:

For better traction, the Ghibli has larger standard tires than the IS (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 235/45R18). The Ghibli’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (F:245/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

The Ghibli’s standard 275/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the IS 300’s standard 45 series tires. The Ghibli’s optional 285/30R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the F Sport Design’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 IS 300. The Ghibli’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the IS Performance.

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 IS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ghibli’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the IS (118 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ghibli is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the IS.

The Ghibli’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the IS’ (54% to 46%). This gives the Ghibli more stable handling and braking.

The Ghibli Modena Q4 handles at .91 G’s, while the IS 300 AWD pulls only .88 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 IS 300 AWD (25.5 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The design of the Maserati Ghibli amounts to more than styling. The Ghibli has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the IS (.29 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Ghibli get better fuel mileage.

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

The Ghibli has 17.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (108 vs. 90.2).

The Ghibli has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The Ghibli has a much larger trunk than the IS (17.7 vs. 10.8 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 IS doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The power windows standard on both the Ghibli and the IS 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 IS prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Ghibli’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 IS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 IS 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 IS doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Ghibli has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the IS. 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 IS.

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 IS.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Maserati Ghibli offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The IS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.