2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore

"A 2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore" is an exotic and long-winded way of answering the question, "whatcha drive?" It's also an all-electric compact SUV from the Italian automaker mostly known for big sedans, Ferrari-sourced engines and long-ago racing exploits. It's not as racy as its heritage would suggest, though, and its range and charging speeds are adequate at best. Its luxury credentials are more convincing, which is good because it starts at $110,495. If that sounds too steep, or you're not sold on electric power, or you'd like to ditch one of the three-syllable Italian words from its name, there is a gas-powered Grecale (sans "Folgore") that we review separately.

The Folgore comes in only one electric powertrain/battery combination: a 105-kWh battery pack feeding two motors, one powering each axle, producing 542 horsepower. That's 200-plus more horsepower than the four-cylinder Grecale can manage, which sounds good until you realize the Folgore weighs 900 pounds more, so there's only a 1-second difference in 0-60 mph time. The Folgore's 4-second estimate is also nothing special when it comes to EVs that cost over $100,000. Moreover, the EPA-estimated range is only 245 miles with 20-inch wheels and (gulp) 206 miles with 21-inch wheels. Its max charging capability of 150 kW isn't great either. We have yet to rate the Grecale Folgore, but our first drive impressions were just as muted as the above specs would suggest.

The Porsche Macan Electric is similar in size, offers more motor/battery combinations, and starts at a lower price point. There's also the BMW iX, which is a bit bigger and cheaper to start. Both the Porsche and the BMW provide much better range and charging capability, while their brands have more experience building electric vehicles than Maserati and its corporate parent (Stellantis). There are also the Audi SQ8 E-Tron, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and Tesla Model X if you'd like a larger electric SUV for the same, or less, money.