For me it is about relativity. DL Swindon lent me one for a week whilst the Cats were replaced under warranty on my QPV. It was a 3.0d and compared unfavourably with our 335d BMW in terms of performance, handling and economy and I was not too keen on how it looked, especially compared to the QPV (and that's without considering the sense of occasion, the noise, performance....). Recently I followed a Ghibli in a nice shade of Grigio with larger wheels and actually thought it looked very nice, especially the rear three quarters. Looked at in comparison to the ubiquitous BMW/Audi/Merc it is a good looking alternative just don't park next to a QPV.
As an aside, it's such a shame they did not fit the engine from the Alfa Giulia QF.