The Maserati Grecale has all the ingredients to challenge the established players in the medium SUV segment. But its undoubted Italian flair comes at a premium.
2023 Maserati Grecale GT
Maserati needed this car, a medium SUV able to take the fight to the Porsche Macan, Audi Q5, BMW X3 et al.
The luxury medium SUV segment is booming in Australia with sales to the end of July up 206 per cent when compared with the same period last year. Admittedly, that’s almost entirely down to the emergence of the Tesla Model Y, which has stormed the segment since launching locally earlier this year, Aussies snapping up 17,332 of the electric SUV so far in 2023.
Not everyone, though, is prepared to go fully electric… yet, and for them, the Maserati Grecale presents as a luxurious, performance-focused mid-size SUV in a segment – Tesla aside – dominated by the Germans.
It’s taken a long time for Maserati to enter the fray, some seven years after the release of its larger Levante SUV which, it’s fair to say, didn’t set the automotive market alight in a segment where Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 dominate.
This time around, the Grecale comes in with a better proposition and in a segment arguably more appealing to buyers, medium SUVs of all flavours the hottest ticket in town.
The Grecale continues the Maserati tradition of wind-based naming conventions. It started in 1963 with the Mistral, and continued on with the Merak, Ghibli, Bora, Khamsin and Shamal.
Now, add Grecale, a north-easterly Mediterranean wind to the mix. But is the Trident’s latest model a breath of fresh air? Or all bluster with no substance? Let’s find out.
How much does the Maserati Grecale cost in Australia?
The Maserati Grecale GT we have on test here represents not only the entry into the broader range, it’s also, far and away, the most affordable vehicle to wear the hallowed trident badge in Australia.
There are three model grades in the broader line-up. The Maserati Grecale GT we have here gets things underway priced at $109,500. Stepping in to the Grecale Modena will set you back $128,000, while the flagship Grecale Trofeo asks for $165,000. All prices are before on-road costs and any options.
The Grecale GT might represent the entry into the range and wear the tag of the most affordable Maserati in Australia, but the Italian mid-size SUV, in terms of pricing at least, plays largely within its own, dearer sandpit.
The most obvious rivals hail from Germany with Porsche Macan, Audi Q5 and BMW X3 all making a play for the Grecale’s potential customers.
But whereas $109,500 gets you an entry-level Grecale with its 2.0-litre turbo four, spending similar money on a Porsche ($122,400) brings 2.9 litres of turbo six, while $112,200 will see an Audi SQ5 and its excellent 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel in your driveway, and the BMW X3 in worked over and hot M40i trim asks for slightly more at $125,400. All have entry-grade models priced below $100,000.
Setting the Grecale apart, however, is its Italian flair and haloed nameplate, one that evokes the halcyon days of grand touring.
A healthy list of standard inclusions helps too. Highlights include twin 12.3-inch screens; one for the Maserati’s infotainment system, the other a digital instrument cluster.
There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 14-speaker Sonus Faber premium sound system, leather upholstery with contrast stitching, a surround-view camera, powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, 10-way powered front seats with memory settings for the driver, satellite navigation and DAB+ radio as well as AM/FM.
As is often the way, a few options can add up pretty quickly, and Maserati isn’t shy in asking for big dollars for big ticket items.
Our test car was finished in a striking shade of Nero Tempesta metallic paint, one of several $2150 optional hues. A quick scan of the paint swatch tells an interesting story. If you don’t want to pay extra to personalise your Grecale, the only shade available to you is a solid white (Bianco). From there, things get pretty heady, with a rich choice of colours priced from $2150 to a gob-smacking $52,063 for the most expensive shade in the highly personalised Fuoriserie palette, Asymmetric Black.
Other options fitted to our tester include 20-inch ‘Etere’ forged alloy wheels in gloss black ($3150), black brake callipers ($1250), a panoramic sunroof ($3750), and open-pore Radica wood trim ($1155).
There is also Maserati’s Comfort pack ($7350) that adds in seat ventilation (cooling) to the standard-fit heating, premium leather grain on the seats, panels and dashboard, and uprated power seats with 12-way adjustment and memory function.
The Tech Assistance pack adds $3290 to the bottom line and bundles in a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an infrared protection windscreen that reduces interior temperatures inside the Grecale on a hot day.
All up, our test Maserati Grecale GT ran to $132,395 plus on-road costs, or around $151,000 drive-away in NSW. Drive-away pricing may vary depending on your state or territory of residence.
| Key details | 2023 Maserati Grecale GT |
| Price | $109,500 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Nero Tempesta |
| Options | Comfort pack – $7350 – Seat ventilation – Premium leather grain – 12-way powered seats with memory function Tech Assistance pack – $3290 – Head-up display – Wireless phone charging – Infrared protection windscreen Metallic paint – $2150 20-inch ‘Etere’ forged alloy wheels – $3150 Black brake callipers – $1250 Panoramic roof – $3750 Open-pore ‘Radica’ wood trim – $1155 |
| Price as tested | $132,395 plus on-road costs |
| Drive-away price | $151,000 (NSW) |
| Rivals | Porsche Macan | Audi Q5 | BMW X3 |
How much space does the Maserati Grecale have inside?
While the Grecale’s exterior design felt a little medium SUV generic, signature Maserati grille aside, inside it’s a different story. Maserati has aced the cabin of the Grecale, for the most part, with acres of sumptuous leather and soft-touch materials. It feels special inside, all the more so for that optional open-pore wood trim that exudes class.
The seats are supple yet supportive, and thanks to power adjustment, finding your ideal driving position is a cinch. The power-adjustable steering wheel helps too.
There are plenty of finely knurled dials and knobs, and they lend the cabin an old-school charm in a sea of modernity. They feel well crafted, with a solidity often missing in today’s new cars.
The steering wheel feels firm in hand, with an array of buttons and switches, while two dials located low on each spoke add a touch of raciness. The left-hand button is for the engine stop-start, while the right-hand dial toggles through the Grecale’s drive modes.
In the centre hub, the famed trident logo serves as a reminder this isn’t just another generic medium SUV. It feels pretty good to slide inside the cabin to be greeted by that storied badge.
Look for a gear selector, however, and you won’t find it. Instead, there are buttons on the dash for park, reverse, neutral, and drive/manual. They feel a bit flimsy and don’t always engage at first pressing, requiring a firm and very deliberate push to engage whatever gear it is you want. They are out of character with the rest of the cabin; a small letdown in an otherwise pretty special interior.
The signature Maserati dash-mounted clock remains with its beautifully knurled surround. But it’s no longer analogue. Instead, a small digital screen mimics an olde-worlde clock with sweeping hands or you can configure it to show digital time. It’s a bit of a shame Maserati has taken the digital path with this one signature aspect. That’s progress, I suppose.
But these are minor misses in a sea of hits, the Maserati’s interior certainly feeling as if you’ve spent your money wisely.
The second row continues that feeling, with plush seating and comfort enough, certainly for two adults. The middle seat is a tight squeeze with three in the back, but then how often do you travel five-up in a Maserati, even a family-friendly Maserati like the Grecale?
There’s plenty of space in all key areas when using the outboard seats, while the optional panoramic roof does wonders in keeping things nice and light and airy. Amenities for second-row passengers include air vents (although no separate climate controls) and a pair of cupholders in a fold-down armrest, while the door pockets err on the side of small.
About the doors, both front and back – they are opened from the inside by pressing a small button, and just more electronic gimmickry where none is needed.
Out back, the Grecale features 535L of cargo capacity, a decent amount. The second-row seats fold away nicely, although not quite flat, increasing load capacity. Maserati doesn’t quote a figure with the seats folded away.
Don’t look for a spare tyre and wheel package under the boot floor, though. As is so often the modern way, you’ll only find a puncture repair kit, which is enough to get you to the nearest tyre shop.
| 2023 Maserati Grecale GT | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 535L seats up |
| Length | 4846mm |
| Width | 1948mm |
| Height | 1670mm |
| Wheelbase | 2901mm |
Does the Maserati Grecale have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
If you love screens, you’ll love the Grecale, which features three digital interfaces (four, if you count the clock) in its arsenal. The centrepiece is the 12.3-inch touchscreen that hosts Maserati’s infotainment system.
It’s equipped with the usual array of features you’d expect in a vehicle costing north of $100K, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, DAB+ (digital) radio, inbuilt satellite navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity.
It runs an Android-based operating system complete with Amazon Alexa’s voice assistant that tries its best to implement your oral commands.
The screen itself is nicely integrated into the dash, blending down into another – smaller – screen. This one measures 8.8 inches and it primarily hosts the Grecale’s climate-control functions.
While we would normally decry a lack of physical buttons and dials for climate functions, having a dedicated screen does alleviate the problem of having to scroll, prod, and dig through menus to effect any changes. It’s a thoughtfully laid out screen, with all key functions easily identifiable and usable. Nice one, Maserati.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument display is configurable to suit, with traditional-looking dials augmented by a range of driving and trip data. It can also show route guidance with simple but effective mapping projected between regular driving info such as speed and engine revolutions.
An optional head-up display – as fitted to our test car – adds another layer of information for the driver, projecting data such as speed directly onto the windscreen and in the line of sight.
An optional wireless charging pad keeps your smartphone juiced up or you can, if you prefer, use one of the two USB plugs up front – one older-style USB-A and another contemporary USB-C. Two more USB plugs in the second row – again, Maserati has hedged its bets with one of each type – complete the charging line-up.
Is the Maserati Grecale a safe car?
The Maserati Grecale has not been crash-tested by Australia’s safety body ANCAP. Nor has Euro NCAP – ANCAP’s European counterpart – put the Grecale to the test.
| 2023 Maserati Grecale GT | |
| ANCAP rating | Untested |
What safety technology does the Maserati Grecale have?
That said, the Maserati Grecale is fitted with a comprehensive suite of safety technology.
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, tyre pressure monitoring, driver attention alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function are all standard.
A suite of six airbags covers both rows of occupants.
How much does the Maserati Grecale cost to maintain?
Maserati’s three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is sub-standard in today’s new car landscape where five years of surety is now par.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Maserati offers a prepaid three-year/45,000km service plan priced at $2500. This plan can be bought any time before the first service is due.
Insurance costs $3860.37 based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Maserati Grecale GT |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $2500 (3 years) |
Is the Maserati Grecale fuel-efficient?
Maserati says the Grecale GT will use 8.1 litres per 100km of 98-octane premium unleaded on the combined cycle. Our week behind the wheel covering a variety of day-to-day situations – urban traffic, open road, flowing freeways – returned an indicated 9.9L/100km.
The fuel tank measures in at 64L.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.1L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 9.9L/100km |
| Fuel type | 98-octane premium unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 64L |
What is the Maserati Grecale like to drive?
The Maserati Grecale sits on a modified Giorgio platform that also underpins some of its not-so-distant cousins from Alfa Romeo. Both the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV sit on the same platform, and to good effect.
Under the bonnet, the Grecale sports a 48-volt mild-hybrid version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol from the broader stable of parent company Stellantis. Versions of it power a variety of vehicles from the mother brand including Alfa Romeo and Jeep, as well as other Maseratis (Levante and Ghibli).
In the Grecale GT, it’s good for 220kW and 450Nm and is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission sending drive to all four wheels. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system does its best work down low in the rev range, adding some urgency to lowdown acceleration before the turbocharger spools up to do the heavy lifting.
Maserati reckons the Grecale GT can complete the dash from 0–100km/h in 5.6 seconds, which is decently quick, if not earth-shattering.
It certainly feels quick when on the move around town, moving away from standstill briskly without too much fanfare. And there’s the rub, certainly at first impressions.
Maserati has long enjoyed a reputation for building cars with exceptional sound qualities. To drive a Maserati has always been an aural experience, a delight of the senses that only a handful of carmakers can match. But here, it all just sounds a bit flat, a bit homogeneous.
It’s not devoid of character entirely, emitting a somewhat gruff engine note that’s at odds with Maseratis we’ve come to know and love over the years.
Of course, exhaust notes and engine sounds and the composition of those two elements is just one small part of the Maserati equation. The real test is in the performance, and here the Grecale conducts itself with a level of ability.
The suspension is nicely balanced for our patchy local conditions. Adaptive dampers are optional, but even on passive suspension, this Grecale GT offered a compliant ride, absorbing bumps and lumps comfortably while also remaining settled over larger hits such as speed bumps.
A spirited drive on some patchy rural back roads also highlighted the damping qualities of the Grecale, remaining composed and flat through adventurous cornering; cornering that also showcased the Grecale’s responsive and precise steering. The Grecale starts to feel, when challenged, like a real Maserati.
It’s equally as comfortable on the run home, long stretches of 110km/h motorway the canvas for an effortless and easy lope, the Grecale burbling along quietly (a little too quietly?) with little fanfare.
The eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission is happy to be left to its own devices, and displaying a knack for selecting the right ratio as the situation demands. It’s equally at home cruising the highways as it is under harder acceleration and cornering, its ability to intuit the optimal gear a boon. For those who prefer a modicum of ‘manual’ driving, paddle-shifters on the steering wheel offer crisp gear changes.
As an on-road package, the Grecale remains competent without being breathtaking. Which, for a Maserati, is a small letdown. We suspect the flagship Grecale Trofeo and its MC20 supercar-sourced V6 would go a long way to allaying those misgivings.
| Key details | 2023 Maserati Grecale GT |
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol, 48V mild hybrid |
| Power | 221kW @ 5750rpm |
| Torque | 450Nm @ 2000–4000rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 119.8kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1870kg |
| Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
| Tow rating | 2300kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Should I buy a Maserati Grecale?
It’s easy to see the appeal of the entry-level Maserati Grecale GT. Here you get all the history of the Maserati name and the trident badge in a package designed to challenge, and capable of challenging, some of its German rivals.
Confident and comfortable on-road manners combined with an interior craftsmanship that speaks to a much higher price, the Grecale GT promises Italian flair. And then delivers.
Yes, it’s priced higher than its obvious rivals from Germany, certainly when comparing entry-level models. But there’s also a strong allure underpinning the Maserati name – an allure you can’t place a mere monetary value on.
The Maserati Grecale GT is simply the right car for the Italian brand at the right time.
The post 2023 Maserati Grecale GT review appeared first on Drive.
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