Road test: Maserati Ghibli Diesel

The cabin is neat and uncluttered and while the eight-speed ZF auto gearbox is fast and smooth, the whole driving experience is marred by the dim-witted gear selector which invariably needs a couple of goes to engage the required gear from rest. What starts as irritating becomes infuriating after a few days — there’s a similar problem with the Levante.

Sharing some of the platform of Maserati’s Quattroporte, this is a fairly large car and it feels it. It is not one of those vehicles that wraps around you and feels smaller than it is — you are always aware of its width.

There’s plenty of Italian flair created by swage lines and vents, and a choice of driving modes to suit your mood. If more power outweighs economy for you, there are also two petrol versions with 330 and 410hp, but most buyers will go for the diesel.

If only the competition wasn’t quite so good...