It’s beginning to feel like the world has forgotten how to make anything but SUVs these days, but Maserati, even by its own admission, is actually fairly late to the game with this one; the Grecale is a mid-sized, luxury SUV that sits below the larger Levante. A ‘global’ car that’s designed to work in lots of different markets without significant re-engineering-slash-tweaking, based around the ‘everyday exceptional’ tagline.
The Grecale Folgore will become Maserati’s first EV when it launches in 2023, but for now there’s a choice of two 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid options offering 296bhp in the entry-level GT trim and 325bhp in the mid-spec Modena (both have the same 450Nm of torque). The company’s new compact luxury crossover slots beneath the larger, mid-size Levante. As with the new MC20 supercar, the Grecale’s face features a distinctive Maserati grille but the rest of its bulbous body typifies a class that includes competitors such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the BMW X3, and the Porsche Macan.
The 2023 Grecale comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 296-hp turbo-four. A 325-hp version of that engine is also available, and the top-of-the-line Trofeo offers maximum performance with a 523-hp twin-turbo V-6. An all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore will join the lineup next year. “Folgore”, indicating full battery electric vehicle, as well as a GranTurismo and MC20 Folgore, will come with a slick grille, cool wheels and an exhaustless rear diffuser, plus 400v architecture and a big battery. It’ll arrive at roughly the same time as the GranTurismo Folgore
Comfortable and well-equipped. But it should be for £60,000. You get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system (which is the largest screen Maserati has fitted to one of its cars) and a digital climate control panel. Other technology highlights include a customisable ambient lighting system and an extra multimedia screen for rear-seat passengers. Every Grecale also gets a 14-speaker Sonos stereo, but you can specify an optional 21-speaker setup if you fancy it.
Oddly, you get a transmission that’s controlled by five flush push buttons in the centre display, but once used to that, it isn’t a problem. The good news is that the Grecale comes with Android Auto, Apple Car Play, a new voice recognition system over-the-air updates for the infotainment system. Passengers should have enough space to be comfortable as long as those in the back aren’t too tall or riding three-across.
The Grecale’s cargo area offers up to 20 cubic feet of space, and Maserati says the area behind the power-folding rear seats features a flat load floor with a storage compartment underneath. The bottom line is, Maserati are ahead of the pack and next year’s Grecale Folgore could be a game changer for the company. While one worries about that soulful trident DNA suffering without glorious noises from the exhausts, what Maserati are succeeding in doing is building the classiest of SUVs.
