Luxury SUVs are a dime a dozen these days, so standing out in the crowd is essential. The 2023 Maserati Grecale stands out in all the right ways, especially regarding the actual driving experience. After driving most of the vehicles in Maserati’s current lineup, let’s look at how the Grecale fared. As the brand’s smaller SUV, I liked the Grecale more than the Levante for a few reasons. Sure, the two vehicles are pretty similar when you look at the specs, but there are also a host of reasons why the Grecale pulls ahead.
What makes the 2023 Maserati Grecale stand out?
You can get the 2023 Maserati Grecale this year in three trim levels, including the GT, Modena, and Trofeo. Maserati was kind enough to loan me the Grecale Trofeo to test this week in the impressive Blu mobile color. Beyond the fact that the brand makes a beautiful paint color, the Grecale looks good. Most luxury SUVs look the same these days, but the front and back of the Grecale look polished in a way only Maserati can do.
The Trofeo trim has carbon fiber inserts on the front end and the unmistakable trident logo on the grille. Black vertical lines accentuate the front, and on this trim level specifically, the emblem is shifted forward slightly for a more aggressive look. It is reminiscent of the Maserati MC20 in more ways than one. I’m also particularly fond of the clunk the blinker makes when preparing to switch lanes. That seems to be a Maserati standard, and I appreciate it.
Our test vehicle had 21″ forged staggered wheels that looked great. One of my favorite parts of the exterior is definitely the paint previously mentioned. With multi-colored flakes, the color instantly shifts from a dark navy to a sparkly blue in the sun. I also really liked the headlights and Head-Up Display that showed speed information. My personal vehicle doesn’t have the best headlights, but the Grecale seemed to harness the power of the sun within its headlights. That’s not to say it blinded other drivers and those on the road in front of me, but it illuminated the road in a way most vehicles can’t seem to do. More on those lights later.
The backseat has room for three passengers and was spacious enough. Maserati likes to say the seats accommodate the 99th percentile for height, but my photographer and I had plenty of room in the second row. Plus, cup holders for everyone! I thought the start/stop button on the steering wheel was a nice choice, and the drive mode selector on the other side was also helpful. With everything in reach, the Grecale feels quite driver-focused.
Design elements of the Grecale SUV
The Trofeo trim also has some upgrades and features that make it stand out from the other models. You’ll find the Trofeo badging along the front quarter panels, like on all of the models. Bright yellow brake calipers stood out against the navy blue paint job. While you don’t need these 21″ wheels, they look good with the SUV’s overall dimensions.
There isn’t quite as much carbon fiber on this model, but that probably helps keep the price down a lot. It also makes it a little more approachable as a family vehicle or daily driver. Carbon fiber upgrades are also available from the factory, should you have a hankering for it. A CF splitter is on both the front and back end under the bumper near where the cameras are mounted. Speaking of cameras, the Grecale has some very clear and helpful cameras all around the exterior. This is helpful for getting in and out of tight spaces, but I had no issues parking the Grecale.
Like the new GranTurismo, Maserati’s collaboration with Sonos Faber is apparent in the exceptional new speaker system. Placed on the doors, these new speakers look as good as they sound. I did my usual test of the newest Taylor Swift album, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) sounded flawless through the system.
Is the Maserati Grecale powerful enough?
No matter which trim level of the 2023 Maserati Grecale you end up with, the automaker ensures plenty of power to go around. Thanks to a six-cylinder 3.0L twin-turbo engine, you’ll find the Grecale Trofeo has no problem getting up to speed. The GT and Modena trims use the four-cylinder mild hybrid system.
| 2023 Maserati Grecale | Engine | MSRP | Horsepower | Ignition system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT | L4 MHEV with BSG | $64,995 | 296 hp | Single ignition coil for each cylinder, connected directly to the spark plug |
| Modena | L4 MHEV with BSG | $74,395 | 325 hp | Single ignition coil for each cylinder, connected directly to the spark plug |
| Trofeo | Twin-turbo V6 90° MTC | $105,500 | 523 hp | Maserati Twin Combustion (MTC) |
Thanks to the twin-turbo V6 engine that uses Maserati Twin Combustion (MTC), the Trofeo performs similarly to the MC20. The MTC engine was created for Formula One cars and placed into the MC20 for mind-boggling power. This power is also harnessed by the Grecale Trofeo, making it more efficient and swift than similar vehicles in its class. The top speed reaches 177 mph, and the SUV has a zero to 60 mph time of 3.6 seconds.
The Maserati Grecale driving modes make a big difference
While all versions of the 2023 Maserati Grecale have enough power for most daily driving situations, the Trofeo certainly checks that box. All trim levels have four driving modes, but the Trofeo gets an additional mode called Corsa. Corsa mode offers faster gear changes, louder exhaust sounds, and increases the throttle sensitivity. It also turns off traction control and turns on launch control. Maserati says this mode is most suitable for track days or similar situations, so you likely won’t use this mode very often (but you should try it).
For everyday driving, Comfort and GT mode are the most universal settings. Comfort mode offers better efficiency and gradual gear changes for a more comfortable ride. GT mode is similar, with smooth gear changes and pretty natural pedal sensitivity. I bounced between these two while driving around town on my test route.
Sport mode aims for peak performance and offers better sounds and maximum engine boost. It also lowers the SUV by about 15 mm for better aero. I found the steering was stiffer and more responsive while in Sport mode. Off-Road mode raises the vehicle and turns on the rev limiter. While some people find the driving modes a less critical aspect, it is helpful to fine-tune the experience for whatever you may be doing that day. With family in the car, you might want a smoother and quieter ride. For a joyride, hit Sport mode for some extra fun.
How does the Grecale compare to the Maserati Levante?
There are a few significant differences between the Grecale and the Levante. One of the most apparent differences is the price. The Levante is priced between $90,700 and $167,000, while the Grecale range is more like $64,995 to $105,500. Since I drove the Trofeo trim of both models, these are on the higher end of things. The Grecale Trofeo in the press fleet started at $105,500 but had some additions that increased the price. This includes the Blu Nobile paint ($2,700), LED matrix headlights ($1,200), and staffed 21″ wheels ($3,100). It also came with the Premium Plus package for $4,200. The Levante Trofeo was $167,000 as I drove it.
Even though the Levante is more expensive, I found the Grecale to feel more updated and high-end. The interior has plenty of tech throughout, with a large touchscreen that controls most options. It even forgoes a traditional gear selector for some buttons on the center console. This touchscreen has all of the climate, music, and other settings within it. While some folks are anti-touchscreen, I thought it was pretty easy to search around and find the necessary settings. On the Levante, the buttons on the center console were a controversial feature. It makes it easy to select and change settings without having to look so much, but they don’t look as high-end as the price tag might allude to.
My biggest gripe with the all-touchscreen situation is probably the fingerprints. These would drive me up the wall if I had children or just regularly touched the screen, as fingerprints were visible and seemed impossible to avoid. I did appreciate the 360-degree camera and how well you could see everything around the SUV (this adds an additional $800, but I find it worth it). Even though it is a bit smaller than the Levante, it feels a lot shorter and easier to jam into a parking space. Cameras always help, but so does the tight turn radius and shorter wheelbase.
Final thoughts on the Grecale
In a world where luxury SUVs are all the rage, the Maserati Grecale is a formidable opponent. Even though some people are unwilling to spend $100k on an SUV, I could live with the Grecale. I thought I would like the Levante more at the end of the day, but the Grecale won me over pretty quickly. Adding to my repertoire of press car rides in 2023, the Grecale sits firmly at the top of my list.
