We have realized for quite some time now here at Jim Butler Maserati of St. Louis that the crossover SUV segment has been one to keep close track of, and the everyday brands out there have tried desperately to churn out winners in rapid succession. Our Grecale is named after the magical breeze that graces the entire Italian boot’s peninsula, this model offers up a very performance-focused rear-drive Giorgio platform that it shares with the Stelvio.
This is our second SUV that proudly sports the iconic trident logo and has completely redefined the luxury essence of our esteemed and unique namesake. Positioned directly under the Levante, you’ll still notice the distinct vertically ribbed grille in front, and an overall first visual impression that provides a fastback-like image along with futuristic styled accents. In the rear, you’ll notice the style of “boomerang taillights” that drew notable inspiration from the Giugiaro 3200 GT, flowing nicely down to the brand-new quad exhausts that define the audible note that decades of Maserati fans hold dear to their hearts.
The Grecale body is just a bit longer and more refined than the Stelvio, and comes standard with all-wheel drive, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the GT model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 mild hybrid cranks out 296 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft of torque. The Modena trim ups the ante flavorfully with a 325-horsepower version of the 4-cylinder, which reaches up to 60 mph in just five seconds. Both trims have a top speed of 149 mph, with the boisterous Trofeo providing maximum performance with the 523-horsepower twin-turbo V6.
Later this year, the all-electric Folgore will claim its spot in the lineup, marking a massive change towards clean energy and an exciting future of trademark performance. The Paper City digital magazine auto testing crew claimed that the Grecale was consistently sure footed and agile, with excellent acceleration and a steering quality that makes twisty roads and free time a rewarding match. After you press the left button to fire the Grecale to life and then dial in Sport mode, the experience that follows is athletic enough to make any driver quickly embrace their need for some “alone time” behind the wheel.
One of the most dominating features inside is the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, along with the pair of digital displays on the center stack where the climate and infotainment controls are. The auto world’s seasoned experts have loved the refreshing and simple approach this console was built with, and there’s extra space for a covered storage area and wireless phone charger. From opera to an all-out club mix dose of inspiration, the 21-speaker Sonus Faber sound system with laser-cut metal grilles is a music connoisseur’s perfect added touch.
There’s 20 cubic feet of space in the second row, and the official verdict regarding the Grecale is that its balance of seductive appeal and feature-rich operation is going to win over true auto enthusiasts in droves. The Car and Driver crew remarked that its “High-end cabin, powerful V6 option, and expertly balanced handling” set it immediately apart from the rest. The Motor Trend review team were eager to report after their predominantly-highway cruise with the Grecale that it is a “fully-fledged crossover to be trusted 100% in action”, and loved the curved taillights that seemed to channel the original 1998 3200 GT.
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