New Maserati Grecale Trofeo 2023 review

It took a while for Maserati to jump on the SUV gravy train, but it feels like we’ve waited even longer to try its latest entry – the Grecale – in its final form following its 2021 reveal. We drove a late pre-series production car on winter tyres more than two years ago, but this is our first steer of a finished example in the UK, of which Maserati hopes to sell in significant numbers. 

Should you divert your Porsche Macan deposit to your Maserati dealer, the underpinnings of your new performance SUV are favourable. The Grecale is based on a stretched version of Alfa Romeo’s Giorgio platform and in this Trofeo model there’s a lusty twin-turbocharged V6 based on the MC20’s but with a wet sump, new turbos, cylinder deactivation but still with the complex pre-chamber ignition system. It means 523bhp and 457lb ft and a sub four-second 0-62mph time for this, wait for it… 2027kg car. And it can feel every one of those kilos if you find yourself in the wrong mode.

> Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo 2023 review

You can choose between Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa on the move, with the default GT setting masking much of the Trofeo’s performance and character – you need to select Sport or Corsa to find them both. It lacks the fireworks of the MC20’s engine but when you get into the meat of its torque band from 3000rpm the delivery begins to reach expectations, its willingness to rev encouraging you to chase the redline. It's a shame it lacks the aural drama of the MC20’s motor, the natural, guttural growl replaced with a synthetic tone that’s borderline nondescript. The eight-speed auto box punches through the upshifts to match the engine’s pace with decent sized paddles, but it’s not as quick to downshift as you’re expecting and the short gearing can make for a busy powertrain when you’re pushing and pretty poor economy - low to mid 20s from our experience. 

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When you do lean on the Trofeo’s performance the chassis is there to support it, although it lacks the poise and directness of a Macan, Stelvio or F-Pace. The active damping and air-springs allow more body movement than the aforementioned too, and it can take a leap of faith to push further and explore the Grecale’s capabilities. When you do there’s an agility and poise to how it flows, the initial front-end push settling to a secure balance that allows you to lean harder. The rear e-diff comes into play with further commitment, yet where a Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Macan GTS impress with their hyper hatch feel and willingness to indulge, the Grecale lacks their overall agility and neither does it have the GT qualities of an F-Pace SVR. 

A great deal of effort has clearly gone into the interior design and materials; the infotainment and central controls work well although there’s still a layer of sub-menus to get lost in. There’s also a quality to the finish that raises it above both the Macan and Stelvio, yet despite this and the Grecale’s performance and dynamic mix its biggest hurdle is its price; the Trofeo costs £99,700 and our test car with some options tipped in at £107,400 – a price it simply can’t carry off. While the performance SUV sector continues to dominate sales charts, and the Grecale is vastly improved over the larger Levante, Maserati still has a battle on its hands to match the establishment. 

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Price and rivals 

This is where the Maserati Grecale Trofeo becomes unstuck; it’s simply far too expensive not only for what it is - an dressed up Alfa Romeo Stevlio - but also what it competes with.

Porsche’s Macan GTS might be smaller but it’s no less practical and at £71,700 it’s a whopping £28,000 cheaper. Yes, it has less power but honestly on the road you’ll never notice the 83hp deficit, and the Porsche steers, rides and handles that much better. 

The Grecale’s fortunes aren’t helped by its blood relative, the £79,859 Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio. More agile and engaging than the Grecale, its 2.9-litre 510hp twin-turbo V6 is equally charismatic and it’s a more dynamically engaging drive, too. 

Jaguar’s F Pace SVR at £85,180 offers superior quality inside and is sweeter to drive, too. In this sector of high-performance mid-range SUVs it would be our choice with its balance of clear steering, sophisticated ride, sharp dynamics and the most premium feeling of them all. 

Maserati Grecale Trofeo specs