Test drive Maserati Grecale GT: much more than the magic of the trident

The battle is on. At 4.84 metres long, the Maserati Grecale has to fight in the market against established models such as the king of the pack, the Porsche Macan, not to mention equally attractive models such as the Mercedes GLC Coupé or the BMW X4, to name just the German rivals the Maserati faces, with a name that rings like bells and a lot to prove. That said, its charm and a distinction or exclusivity that already earns it a lot of points.

From the Italian factory in Cassino

The Maserati mid-size SUV is the Grecale, which evolves from the Stelvio, but this Maserati is the “small one” with 300 CV. A latest-generation Maserati, electrified and with more than enough power to win you over for just over eighty thousand euros. The Maserati has a magic that few brands have. The name Grecale is that of the north-east Mediterranean wind, in Italian, a name that gives continuity to other Maserati winds, such as the legendary Mistral, Ghibli, Bora and Khamsin; and also that of the brand’s first SUV, the current Levante.

The name says it all and the logo is imposing, just as the Grecale is a model in which technological and electronic sophistication is on a par with its pedigree and forms part of that willingness to innovate and the aspiration to take Maserati to the world prestige position it deserves, which has led Italian engineers to create a truly beautiful and technologically advanced model, capable of winning over even the least passionate users.

The range… up to 530 CV of “made in Italy” power

The Grecale family is wide and well graded. On these pages we test the “small one”, the Grecale GT, with a 4-cylinder engine and 300 CV with mild hybridisation to keep fuel consumption down a little and obtain the coveted ECO label, which always comes in handy. Then there is the Grecale Módena, a magical name that marks its origin and uses an identical engine, but slightly more tuned to reach 330 CV. And above this is the Trofeo, a racing name, the most sporty variant which in this case uses a three-litre V6 engine with 530 CV, which are serious figures and would certainly fit perfectly on these pages too…

Moreover, the Módena and Trofeo versions are clearly sportier, and not only because of their performance range: they are also distinguished by the 34 mm wider rear track. The Folgore, which is simply the fully electric version of the Grecale, is for later, and no, it is not a sacrilege, it is the future, at least if they want to keep selling in Europe. But it will have the performance and dynamics of a genuine Maserati, that is certain.

Inside, everything is luxury, exquisite finish, comfort and equipment at your discretion. Overall, life on board is a pleasure and fits perfectly with the elitist concept of the Maserati. There are really pleasant details. The gearshift paddles are a sensational size and always within reach. Everything is touch-sensitive and everything is controlled via a huge central screen of more than twelve inches and a large instrument cluster. The audio system is a spectacle in itself, with the Sonus faber 3D surround system which includes 14 top-level speakers as standard.

The information screens are of sensational quality and have everything needed; it is an easy and intuitive car to use. The traditional clock that presides over the console is still there, now completely digital and offered in different designs to suit the user, but we can bet that 99% of users will always keep it in the elegant analogue format. It is perfect. And it is not just a digital clock, because it has more functions and hides the communication interface between driver and car. It tells us the time, yes, but it also listens and responds, and can also become a compass or show G-forces when cornering.

One gadget that adds a lot is the push-button door opening. A simple press opens the door. The navigation and connectivity systems are perfect; within five minutes even the least digital of drivers has everything under control, and for example the navigator can be displayed at the same time on the main screen, as a route indicator on the instrument cluster and also on the head-up display, so it is hard to get lost because wherever you look there is route guidance.

That said, while everything has been good so far, there are two things that are not entirely good, not entirely pleasant: one is important and the other is a “trifle”. The important one is the gearshift button panel. The layout and design idea is great, because it is very clean and not at all intrusive. But the buttons are slightly far away and you have to press them very precisely, because sometimes they do not respond, and especially when manoeuvring it is not particularly agile. The other is the indicator sound. A noise that is rather traditional, almost old-fashioned or outdated, which does not do justice to the technological sophistication of the car. I would change it.

The powerful twin-turbo 4-cylinder develops 300 CV

It is a rather comfortable and very representative car with forceful performance, and it is very capable of convincing even the most sceptical drivers thanks to its excellent dynamics. The dynamic behaviour of the Maserati Grecale is truly pleasurable and also sporty. Dynamics are the key from its most basic level, but the Grecale also includes the Maserati Vehicle Dynamic Control Module system, which offers different driving modes; in our case, Comfort, GT and Sport. Small variations that achieve big changes and adapt perfectly to different “set-ups” that go with different moods and different desires to drive. Its stability is outstanding and the precision of its steering is comparable only to the refinement of its powerful mechanics.

A four-cylinder in-line two-litre engine capable of developing 300 CV at 5,750 rpm with a forceful torque, which is directly responsible for the progressiveness and pleasure of use, because thanks to this substantial performance figure, the driver always has power under the accelerator pedal to get out of any situation, or to leave any other SUV behind.

When talking about the engine, it is impossible not to notice the progressiveness achieved in its power delivery thanks to the electronic control of the turbocharger and the second, electric compressor, which, without jolts or hesitation, allow the Maserati to reach sporty performance without being radical and show no resistance whatsoever when reaching its top speed of 240 km/h. The GT version makes do with the powerful four-cylinder in-line engine of the hybrid Grecale thanks to the aforementioned 48 V mild-hybrid system, used to contain consumption and improve performance, and incidentally the most efficient of the family. The engine has something sculptural about it, with its twin-turbocharger, one conventional and one electric, the e-Booster powered by the 48 V battery. Thanks to this system, which works at low revs, there is power throughout the whole rev range.

Maserati is recognised by its iconic symbol: the trident

The Maserati Grecale has a lot of standard equipment; it is missing almost nothing. So much so that it is not only premium because of its prestige or its logo, it truly is. For example, the acoustic experience of the Sonus Faber system in the Grecale deserves an outstanding mention, with twenty-one speakers, 3D sound and up to 1000 W of power.

Nobody said it was cheap, and it is not, and its price can be a bit higher still if we personalise it a little, and that is the key: to have a genuine and also exclusive Maserati. A sculptural beauty, a refined finish and equipment, a powerful engine and the most sophisticated technology put at the user’s service, which together make this Maserati an SUV to dream about.

Maserati Grecale GT – Image gallery