Compare the2024 Maserati GhibliVS 2024 Audi RS 3

The Ghibli has a standard Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RS 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Ghibli has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 RS 3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ghibli has standard Rear Cross Path, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the RS 3.

Both the Ghibli and the RS 3 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.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Ghibli has a standard 850-amp battery. The RS 3’s 320-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Maserati vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

The Ghibli Modena’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 23 more horsepower (424 vs. 401) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder. The Ghibli Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 171 more horsepower (572 vs. 401) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder.

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 RS 3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Ghibli has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (21.1 vs. 14.5 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 RS 3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Maserati Ghibli, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the RS 3.

For better stopping power the Ghibli Trofeo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 3:

The Ghibli stops much shorter than the RS 3:

For better traction and acceleration, the Ghibli has larger standard rear tires than the RS 3 (275/40R19 vs. 245/35R19). The Ghibli’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the RS 3 (285/35R20 vs. 245/35R19).

The Ghibli’s optional 285/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RS 3’s 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ghibli offers optional 21-inch wheels. The RS 3’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 RS 3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Ghibli has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RS 3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 RS 3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ghibli’s wheelbase is 14.4 inches longer than on the RS 3 (118 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ghibli is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 5.1 inches wider in the rear than on the RS 3.

For better maneuverability, the Ghibli’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the RS 3’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

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 RS 3 (.31) 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 RS 3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Ghibli has 21 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 3 (108 vs. 87).

The Ghibli has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear headroom and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 3.

The Ghibli has a much larger trunk than the RS 3 (17.7 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

The engine in the Ghibli is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RS 3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Ghibli has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Ghibli’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 RS 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RS 3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Ghibli’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Ghibli’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The RS 3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the Ghibli to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the Ghibli and the RS 3 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 RS 3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Ghibli keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The RS 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Ghibli’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Ghibli is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.