Maserati Grecale (2022 - )

Who said SUVs can’t be fun? Well, whoever it was, they are wrong and if you want proof then check out Maserati’s latest model. It’s called the Grecale and is a mid-size luxury SUV that is very much on the sporty side of things.

With the likes of the Porsche Macan and Range Rover Sport in its sights, the Grecale, which is built in Cassino, Italy, is packed with tech. It’s a practical choice with all the room to accommodate active families and still boasts the necessary firepower associated with the Maserati badge.

There is a choice of three generously-equipped trim levels called GT, Modena and Trofeo, all of which are all-wheel drive, and dependant on specification the car is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 530hp engine or 2.0-litre mild-hybrid unit with outputs of 300hp or 330hp. 

A little further down the line a fully electrified Grecale Folgore will join the line-up.

The Maserati Grecale is a dynamically-styled, mid-sized SUV that is instantly recognisable thanks to its low and imposing blacked-out grille and Trident badging. There is a sculpted bonnet, trademark boomerang taillights, Modena badging above the air intakes, tinted rear windows, quad exhaust pipes, 21-inch alloys and red brake calipers.

Moving inside the interior is classy, clutter-free, upmarket and packed with high-end technology. Our test car boasted deep red upholstery that was crafted from the finest leather and expect to find soft touch surfaces, quality carbon fibre fixtures, a leather wrapped steering wheel, huge gear changing paddles and laser-cut speaker grilles. 

Two screens form the main focal point. The main one stretches 12.3 inches (which is the largest to ever feature inside a Maserati) and is the infotainment nerve centre. The second measures 8.8-inches and is located below the larger screen. This is where all the climate functions are found. Even the clock that sits proudly on top of the dashboard can be customised from traditional to digital. It can show a compass or the power and braking levels too.

There is full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a superb Sonos faber sound system (which was upgraded to 21 speakers on our test car), plus an on-board voice assistant that is activated by saying ‘Hey Maserati’ and this can be used to alter the temperature or find phone contacts etc.

A head-up display is a great way to keep a watchful eye on the speed and the driver information display can also be customised. This was a little clunky to flick through via steering wheel buttons, but everything else was very easy to operate on the fly. 

Powering our Maserati Grecale Modena was a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It delivers 330hp and 450Nm of torque which translates into some interesting performance figures. It can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 5.3 seconds and tops out at 149mph. If that’s not quite fast enough, the Grecale Trofeo hits 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds. 

But, in fairness, the marginally-slower Modena delivered ample punch and power for our test drive that incorporated some motorway miles, where it cruised effortlessly at 70mph; some busy town centres where its agility and great driver visibility impressed and twisting country lanes where it gripped the road like glue as it fizzed through the B roads.

The body control is excellent and the steering is well-weighted with plenty of driver feedback. In addition, the eight-speed automatic gearbox is beautifully smooth and perfectly timed, but you can have extra fun by taking manual control of the gear changing via the large steering wheel paddles.

And there are drive modes that alter the driving characteristics too. Comfort is ideal for everyday use, GT mode increases the throttle sensitivity slightly, and Sport mode results in sharper gear changes and throttle reactions while reducing the ride height by 15mm and opening the active exhaust valves for a raspier note.

There is also an Off-road mode to improve all-terrain performance. In this setting the ride height is set to ‘High’ which increases it by 20mm. 

The ride on the Grecale is a little on the firm side, but our car featured Skyhook Air Suspension as an optional upgrade costing £1,400 and this reacts to the road surface and adapts the suspension accordingly. 

The Maserati Grecale boasts striking good looks proving that SUVs need not look like chunky people movers. It stretches 4,847mm in length, is 1,979mm across (without mirrors) and 1,667mm tall. The wheelbase is impressive at 2,901mm and that results in a spacious cabin with a generously-sized boot.

Up front, two six footers can stretch out in style, while in the back there is enough room for two adults to sit comfortably, or three at a bit of a squeeze. But it’s worth remembering this is a mid-sized SUV so it actually does a great job of covering those expectations.

The boot, which is accessed via a powered tailgate, with kick function for added convenience, can swallow 535 litres of kit and this limit increases significantly with the split-folding rear seats folded down. An elasticated strap runs down the side of the boot to stop items rolling around and there are plenty of storage options throughout the cabin.

These include a lockable glovebox, a deep central cubby, seat back pockets, front and rear cup holders and door bins. 

Powered seats and a power-adjustable steering wheel make it simple to find the perfect driving position and, with the slightly elevated seating, the all-round visibility is excellent.

With family getaways in mind, the Grecale can tow a caravan or trailer weighing up to 2.3 tonnes and the all-wheel drive system will always be an added bonus when driving along boggy surfaces.

Maserati is a premium carmaker so vehicles will never be cheap. However the Grecale does offer a very attractive alternative to the many German marques amongst others and is competitively priced.

The line-up starts from £61,570 for the GT model, increasing to £67,180 for the Modena and the Trofeo comes in at £99,700.

Our Modena test car also featured a number of optional extras such as ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a Sonos faber sound system with 21 speakers, Skyhook Air Suspension, a surround view camera, rear privacy glass and a panoramic sunroof - these resulted in a final price-tag that crept up to £82,645. 

It also had a Driver Assistance Pack Plus that added lots of extra safety features, including a blind spot monitor, active lane management, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, adaptive full LED Matrix headlights and a driver fatigue monitor.

When it comes to the day-to-day running costs, the Grecale Modena, as tested, can deliver a WLTP-tested combined 30.4mpg with carbon emissions of 210g/km.

That high CO2 figure would result in hefty tax bills. The first year Vehicle Excise Duty charge would be £1,565 which would be reduced down to the standard fee of £180 after 12 months.

But, as the Grecale costs in excess of £40k it is subject to a government premium car levy meaning owners will have to find a further £390 from years two to six.

For business or fleet drivers, the Grecale Modena has a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 37 per cent while insurance group ratings are still to be confirmed.

It would seem that almost all new cars that come to market these days are SUVs and many are from carmakers that we would never have imagined would get in on the act.

For example, the likes of Jaguar and Porsche, who are both renowned for their beautifully streamlined performance cars, have both introduced SUVs to their ranges.

So, it seems only apt that Maserati joins the party too. And what a car to break the ice with. The Grecale is a beautifully-styled, well-equipped vehicle that is big on space, appeal and performance.

We also like the fact that there is a good line-up to choose from. And, of course, we have the promise of a fully electrified version on the horizon too.