Maserati Grecale test: the SUV of conquest

The Grecale exceeds its status as the second SUV in the Maserati range. It comes to support the big brother Levante (5.01 m), which already has six years of existence. Above all, it allows the Italian brand to set its wheels in a segment with high potential on a global scale, that of luxury compact SUVs. With its size of 4.85 m, the Grecale is positioned in the high range, but it is mainly in the United States and China, the first markets for the Italian manufacturer, that it will make its honey.

To build this new offer, Maserati went shopping at Alfa Romeo (the two firms belong to the Stellantis galaxy), since the Grecale shares the Giorgio platform and the Cassino plant in Italy with the Stelvio. Its look is, on the other hand, well imbued with the brand’s DNA. The grille is reminiscent of the MC20 supercar, and the trident sits proudly in several places on the body. Not to mention the triple air vents on the front fenders, a house signature. The newcomer is above all armed with equipment that no Maserati before him had had, such as the head-up display, the intelligent voice control Alexa (that of Amazon) and the double touch screen.

Even the emblematic watch enthroned at the top of the dashboard passes into a new century. Its hands are replaced by a digital dial that allows you to choose between different displays: watch, compass or G indicator. The SUV is available with three engines. He adopts a choice of a 2.0 four-cylinder with 48 V light hybridization available in two powers (300 hp in GT and 330 hp in Modena) and a 530 hp biturbo V6 for the top Trofeo version. All engines are linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission and send their power to the ground via all-wheel drive. Unsurprisingly, the prices are positioned at high altitude.

Maserati Grecale price

Maserati customers are affluent, and prices are generally not an obstacle. Prices start at €75,450 for the 300hp Grecale GT and rise to €86,000 for the 330hp Modena version with a limited-slip differential and better equipped (see equipment on page 2). But, for buyers who already pay a lot of taxes, the malus of 16,000 to 26,000 € is likely to get stuck. Especially when the competition offers tax-free plug-in hybrid versions. At the top of the range, the 530 hp Grecale Trofeo advances a bill of 115 €400 (before options!) and a malus of €40,000. Here, to console ourselves, we will say that the pleasure is in the price…

Driving

We might as well admit it right away, we were disappointed at the end of this test. The Grecale is not in question, but rather the choice of course imposed by the brand over a very short time. We had never tested a car on roads so inappropriate to its skills. Contrary to what the illustrative images suggest, we mainly did the city (in Milan), traveled a few kilometers on the ring road and swallowed a lot of roundabouts. Too bad for a sporty SUV. The icing on the cake: the models were fitted with winter tyres, which were of little use when it was 20°C!

The precise steering takes a well-guided front end at medium speed, but a little more responsiveness would have reinforced the feeling of agility. Comfort is well served by the air suspension (optional on the four-cylinder), advantageously relayed by the wide and welcoming front seats. To note that the Grecale offers four driving modes – Off-Road, Comfort, GT and Sport – which affect steering response, throttle and gearbox. If for everyone you can choose the firmness of the suspension, there is no Individual mode to customize these different parameters.

A few kilometers with the bubbling Trofeo have raised the cursor of approval, but also that of frustration at not being able to exploit this noble, angry mechanism, which has hinted at great potential. Here, the 530 hp biturbo V6 is derived from that of the sporty MC 20. It resumes the double combustion with pre-chamber but does without the dry sump. There is also a Corsa driving mode which unleashes the full sporting potential of the Grecale Trofeo with, in particular, a promising 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 s.

We will therefore have to do a real test later because, for the time being, this Maserati SUV has not left us with a feeling of dominance over the Alfa Romeo Stelvio in terms of agility and responsiveness. The higher weight and the longer wheelbase (+ 8 cm) of the Grecale are, it is true, not very favorable to sportiness. But the vehicle also takes advantage of its generous dimensions to develop a real sense of welcome. Its comfort and space on board also position it as a GT SUV for its four-cylinder versions, rather than a pure and hard sports SUV.

On board

Let’s start with the reflex of many buyers of a family car: lift the tailgate. The Grecale then unveils a nice surprise with a wide access and voluminous trunk displaying 535 l on the micro-hybrid versions or 570 l on the V6. With the bench seatbacks folded down, the loading surface is very flat. So here is a chic SUV to go antiquing. Same satisfaction in the rear seats, where space is important for the legs and the place very welcoming for two passengers.

The dashboard of the Grecale is dressed in elegant furniture incorporating noble materials, such as leather, carbon and aluminum. The set sends a flattering and high-end image, enhanced by digital technology. On this last point, Maserati has understood that a single screen to control all the functions would not be enough. The manufacturer therefore installs in the lower part a second tablet for air conditioning and direct access (lighting, Stop & Start, descent control and ESP); a device already seen at Audi.

But not everything is perfect on board the latest Maserati, since some assemblies appeared approximate on our test version. As for the refinement expected at this level of the range, it sometimes involves options, like the electric adjustment of the position of the steering wheel, the audio system with 21 HP and wood or carbon finishes. Besides, with these supplements and customization programs, the price skyrockets. MBut that’s no surprise in the world of luxury cars.

Competetion

The Grecale Modena equipped with its 330 hp four-cylinder is charged 86 000 €. He faces stiff competition, led by the BMW X3 M40i, Mercedes GLC AMG 43 and Porsche Macan S, all equipped with a noble six-cylinder. But the Mercedes and the Porsche pay the price on the penalty side (see table below), while the Grecale is doing better thanks to its micro-hybridization. Obviously, the X3 and GLC have plug-in hybrid versions in their ranges that allow them to completely escape the penalty. This is not the case of the Grecale, which prefers to bet on a 100% electric version in 2023 called Folgore. He will find on this ground the future Porsche Macan with batteries.

Find the results of the test, the technical sheet, the prices and the standard equipment on the following page.