New for 2023, the Maserati Grecale is the Italian luxury brand’s first venture into the compact luxury SUV category. Based on the same Giorgio platform as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Grecale SUV represents a continuation of the Italian automaker’s comeback story, and we spent some time in the Modena derivative to discover why Maserati has confidence in its newest SUV.
Named for the north-easterly winds that blow across the Italian peninsula, the Maserati Grecale is to Maserati what the Macan is to Porsche – a compact representation of the marque’s engineering prowess – and the car intended to raise Maserati’s mainstream profile in a luxurious way.
The Grecale is available in three trims: GT, Modena, and Trofeo, with the battery-electric Folgore expected in 2024, and while all Maserati Grecale models arrive similarly styled and equipped, the biggest differentiator between them is the powertrains.
Both the base GT and mid-range Modena come with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, albeit there’s a 22 kW difference between them. The Grecale Trofeo takes performance up a notch, with its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 while also adding significantly to the Grecale’s starting price tag.
All things considered, there is a lot to love about the Grecale, and we suspect most people will find the range sweet spot in the middle-of-the-road Modena trim.
JUST RIGHT DRIVE
As mentioned, tucked under the hood of Modena-spec Grecale models is an uprated 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. At its peak, the engine returns performance figures of 243 kW at 5,300 rpm and a solid 450 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm.
The Maserati hybrid system is unique in that it includes an electric compressor that compensates for the lack of turbocharging at lower revs. Although the Modena’s performance credentials are solid, the boost provided by the compressor at lower cycles adds urgency to every acceleration when in the proper drive mode, and helps hurry the Modena’s from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.
Backing the engine is a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the wheels through a permanent all-wheel-drive system.
From behind the wheel, we found that the Grecale Modena responds distinctively to its three different drive modes. In the standard Comfort setting, the experience is muted and composed. Set up to ensure efficiency, this mode is excellent for relaxed highway cruising or when you want to keep your eye on the fuel consumption number. Less so for spirited acceleration as the transmission prioritises its higher gears (for efficiency) and is reluctant to downshift.
Thumbing the steering-mounted dial to Sport mode enhances the experience and allows the engine to rev more freely. If launching the luxury SUV hard at each traffic light is your bag, or you need to unleash the full might of Maserati’s most potent four-potter in a fury of exhaust crackle, Sport mode is perfect.
The effect is that the transmission holds each gear until the engine nears the rev limiter, and the suspension becomes firmer with a more aggressive feel.
For us, the Modena’s GT drive mode offers the right blend of performance without the sensitive pedal feel of Sport mode, or its forceful exhaust burble. Gearshifts happen quickly as the ‘box hunts for the highest gear necessary, while not being averse to downshifting when commanded. The GT suspension setting is equally sublime – it’s firm without being harsh, while eliminating any wallow allowed by Comfort mode. Best of all, once set in GT mode, the Grecale would recall that setting on each subsequent start-up.
INSIDE THE LUXURY COCOON
Unsurprisingly, the Grecale is trimmed to the same high standard of luxury the company is known for across all their model ranges, which makes the Modena interior a welcome environment.
Materials used throughout the interior are decidedly upscale, with no parts seemingly sourced from the Stellantis parts bin bits. Front seats feature firm bolstering that provides a comfortable yet resolved embrace, while the rear seats, though less bolstered, offer excellent comfort for passengers of all sizes, and the rear luggage area is big enough to handle substantial amounts of shopping.
The centre stack houses three of the Grecale’s six screens. There is the central 12.3” infotainment display that runs on a modified Android operating system, and a lower 8.8” touchscreen for climate control along with other comfort and vehicle settings. Up top, a smartwatch-like digital clock is configurable to show the time, and exciting titbits such as a g-meter, pedal position, and more.
The Grecale also comes with a 12.3” digital driver-information screen, and our Modena tester was optioned with a head-up display. A 6.5” touchscreen is employed for rear-seat climate control.
Although not as intuitive as using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (both onboard), the Maserati system is comprehensive. A special mention goes to the brilliant Sonus Faber premium sound system from Maserati’s new sound system partner.
LAST WORD
At this level of refinement, the Maserati Grecale Modena makes a compelling argument that’s not too far off that of its pricier Trofeo sibling – offering similar driving dynamics and the same opulent materials, design, and technology. At its price point, it competes in the top tier of luxury motoring, where more established German rivals top the sales charts, but none of them have a Trident on the hood, and that feature alone raises the Grecale Modena to almost legendary status.
| MASERATI GRECALE MODENA | ENGINE | POWER (kW @ r/min) | TORQUE (Nm @ r/min) | TOP SPEED (km/h) | 0-100 KM/H (seconds) | FUEL (l/100 km) | PRICE |
| Maserati Grecale Modena | In-line 4-cyl; 1,995 cc twin-turbo + hybrid | 243 @ 5,750 | 450 @ 2,000-5,000 | 240 | 5.3 | 9.3 | R2,320,000 |
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © HUNTLEYTOGRAPHY