If you’re in the market for a midsize luxury saloon, things are about to become a little more confusing for you. Ciro De Siena has a look at the new Maserati Ghibli, and provides an overview of the entire segment to help understand where the newcomer fits in.

New Maserati Ghibli enters luxury sedan segment

Quite simply, a gorgeous Italian will soon be wandering into the segment, flirting with the Germans, taunting the Japanese and getting the British a bit hot under the collar.

The Maserati Ghibli has been launched in the UK, and given the popularity of the marque in SA, I see no question about it’s possibility of reaching local shores. Although it may sound like the noise a small child makes while eating, the Ghibli is Maserati’s first proper crack at the mainstream worth writing about.

Drawing on styling from the Quattroportte, which is a bit like drawing on the looks of Penelope Cruz, the Italian starlet will be up against some very well respected, well entrenched competition, as well as solid products from Japan. With a choice of three engines at launch in the UK, including a diesel and two petrol turbo V6s, from first reports in the overseas press, Maserati have got this one right.

While we wait for news of its arrival, I’ve put together an overview of the segment, so you’re well armed with information when the sultry mistress of midsize luxury arrives.

Lexus GS

The newest competitor in the market, the GS is large, comfortable and actually more sporting than it lets on, especially the bigger GS350, which has a rather sonourous sounding V6. The GS250 is smoother and perhaps more of an everyday option, while the Hybrid will confuse your mind as it creeps around completely silently under 20km/h. It’s like being in the world’s most expensive, most luxurious golf cart. The interior has the largest info screen fitted to a production car, wider than an iPad, and rear space is quite incredible, with a huge boot to, er, boot.

Prices start at R524,700. The Hybrid is the most pricey at R818,900. View the Lexus GS range

Jaguar XF

Ostensibly British but feels very German indeed, although it does seem to take itself less seriously. The 2.0litre diesel is fantastically economical, while the 3.0 diesel is quite frugal while providing petrol-levels of thrills. A range of petrol engines, all the way up to a bonkers V8 in the XFR are all smooth, solid choices. The interior, although ageing now, still has that party trick on ignition where the vents rotate to reveal themselves and the gearknob, literally a huge knob, rises out of the console like the control for warp drive on your favourite fictional space ship.

Prices start from R499 300, and cruise all the way up to R1,076,900 for the madmax R version. View the Jaguar XF range.

BMW 5 Series

With a heritage of being the sporty choice, BMW has a solid offering in this segment with the 5 Series. The 530d was SA car of the year in 2011, and while not a cheap exercise, it is an exceptional all-rounder. With a huge range of options, engines, aesthetic kits and detailing variations, you can almost spec an entirely unique 5 Series so that the neighbour’s one always looks a little dated. Rear wheel drive fans almost insitinctively go with the Beemer, however the E-Class is very nearly a level competitor these days in the dynamic stakes. But somehow the Beemer always feels that little bit more exciting.

Prices start at R506 975 for the 520i. View the BMW 5-Series range

Audi A6

Another sensible German competitor, which in this company is starting to look a little Plain Jane. However, if you’re in for understated, the Audi does that superbly, while if you spec an S-Line kit, it really does look the sporting part. Front wheel or Quattro drive are your only options, so if drifting on the way to the shops is your thing, look elsewhere. Audi’s diesels are fantastic, with the 3.0l my pick of the bunch, as it delivers sportscar punch but will also save you at the pumps if you can reign in your right foot. A massive boot should swallow everything you need for a family holiday. Just keep an eye on that options list, if you’re not careful you can end up with a very expensive car indeed. But that’s generally the German way of things.

Prices start at R501 000 for the range. View the Audi A6 range.

Mercedes E-Class

The current E Class has just received a midlife cycle refresh – a facelift to you and me, but this was quite an extensive upgrade which we’ve covered here. The changes have at the very least been an aesthetic success, the latest E-Class is now a real looker. The AMG models continue to be rightfully bonkers, although the naturally aspirated massive V8s are now a thing of the past. Smaller displacement with turbos are now the weapon of choice. I think the E-Class wagon is a solid, luxurious family cruiser, but not many South Africans agree, manufacturers sell very few wagons each year in SA.

The range starts at R544 000 for the E200. View the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range.