The Porsche Macan has some competition. Gorgeous Italian competition.
Maserati, best known for luxury sedans with sultry looks and throaty roars, is in the SUV business now. The midsize Levante now makes up more than half the brand’s sales. It’s getting a younger sibling.
Maserati lifted the curtain on its second sport utility vehicle today, the Grecale. It’s aimed squarely at the Porsche Macan. The two will likely battle for the title of best-looking and best-handling sporty compact crossover.
It will, however, cost more. The Grecale starts at $63,000 plus a $1,495 delivery fee — nearly $9,000 more than its Porsche equivalent. The Grecale reaches dealerships in early summer.
Stunning, Curvaceous Looks
The Grecale brings a low-slung, curvy body to the fight. A more aggressively sloped interpretation of the brand’s signature grille fronts a hood bulging with character lines. It wears three ports behind the front fender like its big brother but seems snugged to the ground with low side sills. A rounded greenhouse gives way to a very Macan-like rear hatch.
Inside, screens have taken over a Maserati interior for the first time. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits next to a 12.3-inch central infotainment screen above an 8.8-inch touchscreen that handles climate control. In a compact cabin, it’s a lot of glass, making for a more tech-heavy vibe than we’re used to from Italian cars.
A 1,200-watt, 21-speaker sound system is the standout option.
Up to 523 Horsepower
Under the hood, all versions of the Grecale get a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup. The entry-level GT carries a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 296 horsepower. A step up to the Modena trim gets you the same engine, boosted to 325 hp. Maserati says both trims manage a 0-60 mph run in the low 5-second range.
The top-of-the-line Trofeo version, however, gets a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 cribbed from the MC20 supercar. It makes a full 523 horsepower and leaps to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.
All three send power to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. An adaptive air suspension with active dampers is standard on the Trofeo and optional on the rest of the lineup. It allows drivers to raise and lower the vehicle for conditions — necessary because this sits lower than almost any other SUV.
All versions get a limited-slip differential — mechanical on 4-cylinder Grecales and electronic on the Trofeo. The Grecale shares its chassis with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, already a crisp handler. A Maserati-tuned suspension on that platform should give the Macan a run for its money.
For the 2024 model year, Maserati promises an all-electric Grecale Folgore.
