2023 Maserati Grecale Post First-Drive Review: “Important, Fully Representative, and Cleanly Designed”

We fully admit here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis that we are blowing full speed ahead with the SUV fever that so much of the world has been overtaken by. Sedans are blistering-fast and amazing, and fully responsive on the road, and will always be the life blood and true original source of adrenaline-laced driving excitement. Named after a pristinely blowing Mediterranean wind, the Grecale is positioned below the Levante.

The staff on duty at Autoblog.com thought that the Grecale is quite possibly the most important car that Maserati has ever released, and traveled to Reno, Italy to get a feel for what the trident vehicle on the smaller size handles and drives like. We began with the trademark and quite solid Giorgio architecture, then added the features that are usually found in the highest tier of segments such as a lofty and precisely engineered air suspension. Along with a few other very valuable electronic tweaks, the wheelbase was also increased by about 3 inches, and the base Grecale GT stretches at just 190.8 inches long.

One brief look at the Grecale’s front end depicts what was meant when it announced that the supercar in the form of the MC20’s exterior design would have a very noticeable influence on the rest of the range, with its swept-back headlights and traditional trident emblem proudly positioned front and center. Inside, the Grecale offers a well-spaced-out digital instrument cluster and many other traits that try to not make it feel like a modern smartphone making its way through the current landscape on 4 harried wheels.

As many cars of the current era are known for their primo screen power, the Grecale wants to take the lead with a bit less clutter and breathe an ideal dose of high-performance life into what it feels like to sit and get ready to drive very fast in this well-crafted crossover. You can score the Grecale in GT, Modena, and Trofeo trims, with the power from the GT derived from a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that pairs with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to crank out 298 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Graduating on up to the Modena model powerfully unlocks a 325-horse evolution of this drivetrain, with both being mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The Trofeo is where any seasoned driver gets to enjoy a model-specific Nettuno V6, and in the Grecale the six-cylinder features a patented wet-sump oiling system, revised turbochargers, and cylinder deactivation technology that will completely shut off the right bank in low-load conditions, such as on the highway. The polished opinion from the Autoblog team was that this is a very serious, well-thought-out attempt to grow by attracting customers with the things drivers want instead of skewed incentives unrelated to performance. The first number makes the Grecale the most affordable model ever released in the states, as we are confident that discerning and dedicated customers will line up excitedly to follow suit and sample the roadworthy goods!

Tags: Grecale, Jim Butler, Jim Butler Maserati, Maserati, Maserati Grecale
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