Test Drive 2023 Maserati Grecale SUV Review

A new wind is blowing in Modena. If the MC20 is the spearhead of Maserati’s new offensive, then the Grecale is the way to realize a planned revival. Of course it is one Central Luxury SUV, you want to die they are now considered the cash cow of the auto industry, which the public says is only providing what it is asking for.

And the Maserati Grecale begins its career in style, as the Trofeo we’re trying to test is powered by the Nettuno engine that debuted in the MC20. It is a V6 biturbo that collects no less than 530 hp. This top version will not break sales records, the Maserati Grecale Trofeo does the job for the Hybrid and the electric Folgore, which will be added to the range later.

Body work and tests

On the basis of the Maseratie Grecale, the star of the Stellantis group went shopping at Alfa Romeo. Giorgio’s excellent Giulia platform stretches enough to target the visitor between the Stelvio and the Levante, while the architecture is also equipped with electric transmissions.

Thanks to the body length of 4.86 meters, the wheelbase of the Stelvio can be stretched by 10 centimeters, up to 2,901 millimeters. And that benefits the presence and interior space of Maserati’s Grecale.

Interior and trunk

It’s surprising: even on the top version of the Trofeo you still have to pay extra for the electrically adjustable steering column (545 euros). There’s nothing wrong with the Maserati Grecale-shaped steering wheel itself, except that there are too many buttons, stalks and paddle shifters around the quarter and half positions to get a good grip on it.

The seats, on the other hand, are very tight on the thighs, and rather high. You can fit the bag to the first by loosening the side cheeks through the infotainment screen, unfortunately not to the other. The headrests are also non-replaceable, presumably to preserve the good looks of the seats. Usually Italian…

You open the Maserati Grecale doors electronically, from the outside and from the inside. On the inside you open the doors with buttons under the elbow rest, on the outside with small buttons under the integrated door handles. Basically, you have to have the remote control in your pocket to get into the car. Well, the hands-free system is flawless in practice.

Maserati’s Grecale also has a new electronic architecture, which uses Android Auto and is connected to the cloud via the companion app and the Alexa virtual assistant. The platform, in turn, enables what Maserati calls the Intelligent Multimedia System, including “Hey Maserati” voice commands.

To further expand the impressive 570-litre load, the rear seat of Maserati’s Grecale can be electrically folded into two unequal sections. And through the Travel Pack (545 euros) a 230 volt connection is also possible in the suitcase.

Specifications and Performance

Hybrid versions should keep the starting price of Maserati’s Grecale affordable, although at a minimum of 75,800 euros for the GT’s 300 hp 2.0 turbo petrol, that’s relative. In the Modena version (86,450 euros), the same two-liter combination with a belt-driven generator and electric compressor (the so-called ‘eBooster’) produces 330 hp.

Both models have an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, just like the Maserati Grecale Trofeo. Through the Offroad driving mode, the brand even shows that its new route wants to be at home in all markets.

Anyone who thought that Maserati are still allowed to scream like their predecessors today is unfortunately mistaken. Admittedly, when starting the Trofeo’s exhaust roars for a while. But immediately afterwards, Maserati’s Grecale in its usual GT guise sounds more like a three-cylinder.

To know you’ve just spent 120,000 euros on a Maserati, the other dial on the steering wheel must at least be set to Sport. Otherwise, the Nettuno block effectively uses three of the six cylinders and keeps the revs steady below 2,000 rpm. In that speed range, the biturbo makes enough torque to move along with traffic, thanks in part to the alert response of the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, but it’s not sophisticated or exciting.

Driving behavior

On the other hand, the choice of the sports driving program does not go unpunished: the dynamic shock absorption and air suspension can be called stiff from Sport onwards, and in Corsa mode it is very stiff… unless you reduce the shock absorbers to additional button to soften sharp edges to remove from it. Another function we already know from the Giulia and the Stelvio QV, and one that also proves its usefulness here.

Finally, put the powertrain in its manual mode with the transmission buttons (good) and you finally start to get the feeling you desire. Then open the gas valve and – bam! – finally there is the promised Maserati Grecale Trofeo! With a strong front drive that isn’t easily persuaded to understeer, a rear axle that likes to go sideways via an electronic lock function (e-LSD), and brakes that express themselves more strongly on the pedal stroke.

Even the different steering adjustments and many independent ones fall into its fold at that time, while the steering paddles respond well to shift commands. The suspension may not be able to completely control the heavy weight of 2.1 tons, but with 530 hp and 700 Nm from 3,000 rpm, 100 km / h passes in 3.8 seconds, a time worthy of a BMW M3.

It’s a pity that the Maserati Grecale Trofeo has to hide its true nature under many layers of eco, while it has a sports car that can give a hard time to the Porsche Macan.

Belgian Maserati Grecale Trofeo Award

Also financially, the Maserati Grecale Trofeo is a double-edged sword. You have to accept higher taxes in Belgium – especially in Flanders – even if there is ‘only’ a three-liter V6 spinning under the hood, which is normally still powered by three cylinders. The fact that consumption does not drop below 12 l/100 km only adds to the bill. And then of course there is also the base price of the Trofeo version, which is 116,100 euros.

OVERVIEW Price Maserati Grecale

Decision

Despite the powerful Nettuno engine, the Maserati Grecale Trofeo has not (yet) managed to get under our skin. Blame the lame soundtrack and closed driving modes that stifle the adrenaline rush.

The task of combining a practical SUV with acceptable utility (according to Maserati standards) with the ultimate performance of a sports car has turned out to be a solid obstacle. In countries like Italy and Germany you’ll probably be able to offer the Grecale more often, but in Belgium the electric version of the Folgore might just happen on its own.