2023 Maserati Grecale

Name: 2023 Maserati Grecale Review
Brand: Maserati

Release Date: Available now

Estimated Price: Starting at $64,995

Other years for sale

2023 Maserati Grecale Review

byDan Frio^{Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Classy style and taut proportions
Well-equipped base trim is solid foundation for rest of lineup
Three levels of power, performance and luxury to choose from

Cons

Interior is a bit of a parts mash-up from cars under same corporate umbrella
Brand-name cachet may not yet justify ambitious pricing

What's new

All-new compact luxury performance SUV
Kicks off the first Grecale generation

Overview

Given the success of Maserati's first SUV, the Levante, it's no surprise the Italian automaker fast-tracked a smaller crossover to shore up its SUV portfolio. The 2023 Maserati Grecale — named after a strong, cold Mediterranean wind — is a fitting effort, offering a standard four-cylinder in two states of tune and a range-topping ferocious twin-turbo V6.

The base GT trim uses a twin-turbo four-cylinder paired to a 48-volt mild hybrid system. The Grecale isn't a traditional hybrid, however. Instead, it uses a small electric motor to reduce the load on the gas engine, and, depending on your driving mode and style, it helps improve fuel efficiency or provide extra power. The GT makes a robust amount of low-end power — 332 lb-ft of torque — for the class, edging out the mechanically related Alfa Romeo Stelvio and four-cylinder Porsche Macan.

The Grecale Modena trim makes more power and adds a few upgrades, while the high-performance Trofeo gives full commitment with a 523-hp turbo V6 engine. Maserati plans to introduce a fully electric Grecale variant next year — the Folgore — to broaden the SUV's appeal. With nearly 600 lb-ft of torque expected, it won't have much problem finding takers.

Inside, the Grecale is a cleverly masked assembly of parent company Stellantis' parts bin. The familiar steering wheel comes from the Stelvio, and the infotainment interface recalls a similar concept in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It's not a bad thing — similar complaints dogged the Maserati Ghibli many years earlier — but it will cause some to grumble, especially as the price crests six figures with the Trofeo trim. But even if that sounds lofty, the Grecale's prices align with its primary intended target, the Porsche Macan. While Audi, BMW and Mercedes all have small performance SUVs, the Macan is the best execution of speed, handling and luxury in the class. The 2023 Maserati Grecale may soon change that.

Which Grecale does Edmunds recommend?

While we'd be content with the base GT trim, we'd stretch for the Modena for its stronger engine and additional comforts like the adaptive suspension, heated front seats and extra safety features. The panoramic sunroof is also a nice touch. The Premium Plus package would be an indulgent yet appreciated extra, with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and an upgraded 21-speaker audio system.

Maserati Grecale models

The 2023 Maserati Grecale is a five-passenger compact SUV available in GT, Modena and Trofeo trim levels. It offers a choice of two engines. The GT comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (296 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque), while the Modena uses a more powerful version of the same engine (325 hp, 332 lb-ft). The high-performance Trofeo comes with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (523 hp, 457 lb-ft). Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

GT
The base trim GT kicks off the Grecale lineup with features such as:

19-inch wheels
LED headlights
Heated side mirrors
Power liftgate
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats with driver's seat memory settings
Dual-zone automatic climate control
12.3-inch digital gauge display
12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
Navigation
14-speaker Sonus Faber audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Wi-Fi hotspot
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Maserati and the car in front)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)

Modena
The Modena is equipped similarly to the GT but comes with a more powerful engine. It also adds a handful of upgraded features, including:

20-inch wheels
Adaptive sport-tuned suspension
Limited-slip differential
Panoramic sunroof
Heated front seats
Wood interior trim
Ambient cabin lighting
Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function
Blind-spot warning
Lane keeping assistance

Trofeo
The high-performance Trofeo builds on the Modena's features with:

21-inch wheels
Adaptive air suspension
Tri-zone (rear seat) automatic climate control
Leather-wrapped dash and door panels
Carbon-fiber interior trim

Several option packages and stand-alone features are available for GT and Modena trims. Highlights include:

Premium package

Panoramic sunroof
Premium leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
Additional power seat adjustments
Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel

Premium Plus package includes the Premium package items, plus

Heated rear seats
Tri-zone climate controls
Ambient cabin lighting
Premium 21-speaker Sonus Faber audio system

Driver Assistance package (GT)

Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Adaptive cruise control
Lane keeping assistance (steers the Grecale back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

Driver Assistance Plus package

Traffic sign recognition
Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot warning
Lane keeping assistance
Driver attention monitor

Handling package (GT)

Adaptive suspension
Limited-slip differential
Gloss-black brake calipers

Techssistance package

Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Wireless charging pad

Stand-alone features

Upgraded LED headlights
Roof rails
Ambient lighting
Heated front seats
Surround-view camera (uses cameras in all four directions to compose a single image of the car's surroundings)
Hands-free liftgate (Modena)
Upgraded leather (Modena)

2023 Maserati Grecale First Impressions

byCameron Rogers

•3/22/2022

What is the Grecale?

Since it was introduced in 2015, the Porsche Macan has been the vehicle to beat in the small luxury performance SUV category. While distinct variants like the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 and BMW X3 M are truly impressive, the fun-to-drive character of those specific vehicles doesn't really translate to their more pedestrian versions. The Macan, on the other hand, is pretty sprightly even in its base form.

The 2023 Maserati Grecale, then, is the first crossover to set the Macan firmly in its sights. The Grecale is positioned as a sporty alternative to mainstream compact luxury SUVs, with even the standard four-cylinder engine available in two states of tune, with each boasting high power figures. The range-topping Trofeo will be even more impressive.

What's under the Grecale's hood?

The base Grecale GT is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It's paired to a 48-volt mild hybrid system that uses an electric motor to either reduce fuel consumption or provide extra power, depending on driving mode and style. The GT produces 296 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, which is quite a lot for a base powertrain in this class. It eclipses both the mechanically related Alfa Romeo Stelvio (280 hp, 306 lb-ft) and the four-cylinder Macan (261 hp, 295 lb-ft). Maserati says that the Grecale GT manages the 0-60 mph run in 5.3 seconds — several tenths of a second quicker than either of these rivals.

If you want a bit more spice but want to keep fuel consumption low, the Grecale Modena might be up your alley. It sticks with the mild hybrid but bumps horsepower to 325. The 0-60 mph sprint falls to 5.0 seconds even.

The Grecale wouldn't be a Maserati without a high-output model, and the Trofeo meets those expectations. Under its hood lies a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with a burly 523 hp and 457 lb-ft. Launching from zero to 60 mph is estimated to take just 3.6 seconds, or about half a second quicker than the most powerful currently available Macan. The Grecale Trofeo does without the GT and Modena's mild hybrid layout, but cylinder deactivation under light loads should keep fuel consumption in check, if that's a concern.

But gas-burners aren't the only powertrains in store for the Grecale. Next year, Maserati plans to bring a fully electric version into the fold, which it will call the Grecale Folgore. Full specifications have not been announced yet, but it will be fed by a 105-kWh battery pack, use a 400-volt architecture, and produce up to 590 lb-ft of torque.

All 2023 Grecales will feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. To help put power down in corners, a limited-slip rear differential is optional for the GT and standard on the Modena and Trofeo. The Trofeo also features standard adaptive dampers, an air suspension, and larger brakes than those on the GT or Modena.

How's the Grecale's interior?

The Grecale's cabin borrows bits and pieces from the Stellantis parts bin — the steering wheel is pure Stelvio, and the dual-screen infotainment system is conceptually similar to the one in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer — but the overall design is fairly cohesive. Leather is used liberally throughout the cabin, even on the base GT variant, while the performance-minded Trofeo adds carbon fiber, sport seats and contrast-color stitching.

The Grecale's wheelbase of 114 inches is only slightly shorter than that of its bigger brother, the midsize Levante. We were able to check out a Grecale prototype in person and can confirm that it indeed feels quite spacious up front and in the back. Even with the optional panoramic sunroof, there was enough headroom for me, and I'm 6-foot-4.

How's the Grecale's tech?

Performance might be the Grecale's raison d'être, but it's still a luxury vehicle, after all. And that means the baby Maserati is loaded with tech features. Gaze inside, and your eyes are naturally drawn to the center stack, which is composed of two touchscreens. The 12.3-inch upper screen controls the infotainment system, controls one of two available Sonus Faber audio systems (the top-tier model has 21 speakers), and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Move your eyes downward, past the row of shifter buttons, and you'll see a lower 8.8-inch screen that offers climate control and other vehicle functions. The only part of the Grecale's interior that looks incongruous is the new digital clock that sits atop the dash — like pairing a Brioni suit with an Apple Watch.

Edmunds says

Porsche has been the master of small performance SUVs since it launched the Macan in 2015, and it's run virtually unopposed ever since. The 2023 Maserati Grecale's intriguing powertrain lineup and sumptuous interior show that it has the goods to pose a significant challenge to the Macan's dominance.

2023 Maserati Grecale

2023 Maserati Grecale Review

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