2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo: 523 HP With Acres of Italian Comfort

Liberated from a tempestuous, dysfunctional relationship with the Prancing Horse crew, Maserati launched its self-developedcarbon-fiber MC20 supercarlast year. Now, here comes the follow-up.The 2023 Grecale Trofeocrossover features a modified version of theMC20’s Nettuno thoroughbred V-6. In the mid-engine two-seater it’s rated at 621-horsepower, but in this mid-size SUV-like thing, it’s tuned to produce 523 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. And while the first midship missile with a trident up front in seventeen years has some U.S. customers forking out up to $300k for one - according to CEO of Maserati Americas Bill Peffer - the new mid-size SUV will be the most affordable entry into Maserati ownership, starting at $63,500.

And no, that starting price doesn’t include all 523 ponies.

A 296-horsepower mild-hybrid four-cylinder base “GT” is the base model. With the Modena trim step up featuring the same 2.0 programmed to deliver 325 horsepower and a broader torque curve. Not quite thrilling.

It’s the Trofeo that sits at the top. The twin-turbo Nettuno V-6 is slightly relaxed from its sports car form, but still packs a punch. It beats the GTS-branded German competition’s peak output by 89 horsepower. That’s GTS as in Porsche Macan GTS. As in the current compact crossover performance champ.

Most of the MC20 goodness ports over intact. This version of Maserati’s hot V-6 retains twin-combustion and twin-spark ignition, using different turbochargers, wet-sump lubrication and cylinder deactivation on the right bank for efficiency. There’s no tweak too trick to have been avoided. This is state-of-the-art Italian internal combustion.

Time behind the wheel of the Grecale Trofeo was limited, with ninety percent of my drive spent cruising on the highway. Perhaps a lack of route scouting on Maserati’s part, perhaps a conscious hint at what luxury SUVs are bought for. Regardless, the quickest Grecale combines a number of virtues that make for an enjoyable journey, both as a driver and passenger.

Positioned above the premium offerings from Alfa Romeo, Lancia and DS as Stellantis’ most luxurious brand, Maserati was allowed to fortify the FCA Giorgio platform without compromising its class-leading handling attributes. The Maserati Grecale’s wheelbase is 3.3-inches longer than the Alfa Stelvio’s, yet 2.5 shorter of an SWB Jeep Grand Cherokee’s. Overall, the exterior dimensions are 191.3 x 77.9 x 65.3-inches for the Trofeo, 190.8 x 77.9 x 65.5 for the Modena and 190.8 x 76.7 x 65.6 for the GT. Longer, wider and lower is what that V-6 deserves, given how far back it sits within the chassis.

The straight-line speed of the Grecale Trofeo is reassuring, with zero-to-sixty in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. The ZF eight-speed automatic does its job smoothly and quickly at any pace which keeps it all from being less than startling. Switch to Corsa mode for the tighter roads, however, and it's clear that the Grecale is more about the luxurious ride than chasing lap times.

This evolved Giorgio platform comes with all-wheel drive, a quadrilateral front suspension and a multilink setup at the rear, air springs and a limited-slip self-locking electronic rear differential. The result is a crossover you can trust in action, yet one that’s also tuned with fairly slow steering, as well as long pedal travel. Brake calipers may be six- and four-piston Brembos, yet they still grab steel rotors instead of carbon ceramics..

The Grecale’s exterior may be polarizing thanks to the existence of the Ford Puma, yet it must be said that the design language introduced with the MC20 looks sleek even in this all puffed-up form. The flush door handles are a nice touch, and on a gloriously sunny day, the curved tail lights resemble the boomerang units of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original Maserati 3200 GT from 1998.

Inside the Trofeo, almost every surface is wrapped in fine and optionally vibrant leathers. The touchpoints talk of quality, the unlacquered carbon fiber trim on the spacious central console is the real deal, standard audio comes in the form of a 14-speaker Sonus Faber sound system, and the digital assistant replacing the traditional Maserati clock makes perfect sense. It can display a clock, a power meter, a g-meter or a compass, and can also grant a few functional wishes after you say ‘Hey, Maserati’. My only complaint is that being such a highlighted gadget, this digital clock should feature a bezel milled from metal instead of molded from plastic, since despite being fixed, it urges people to touch it. The rest of the Grecale’s infotainment is all accessible via 12.3-inch and 8.8-inch touchscreens, with the larger one being an angled hexagon in the center, showing most functions right on the front page.

As a performance SUV, the European-market Grecale Trofeo is not loud enough for my taste, although I’ve been told how the tune of the intakes and exhausts depends largely on local regulations. That means the Grecale may in fact get louder for America, although that won’t change how the mirrors generate quite a bit of wind noise on the highway.

As a luxury SUV, there’s not much missing from the Grecale’s package. Both drivetrain and cabin feels next-generation compared to the now-aging Levante, and the rest is all told by the numbers. Maserati made the chassis longer, so leg and shoulder room is plentiful both front and rear. Looking once again at the Porsche Macan, Maserati claims “almost 7 inches” of extra legroom, also saying that thanks to all that space and accessibility, 99 percent of the human population should find the Grecale very comfortable. Being fairly tall, I sure did.

The Grecale will be launched as a well-equippedonline-only limited edition Modena, followed by the regular GTs, Modenas and Trofeos further down the line. Interestingly, Maserati also turned the Giorgio platform into an EV skateboard for the 2025 Grecale Folgore, which will use a 400-volt system instead of the upcomingGranTurismo’s and MC20 Folgore’s 800-volt setup, rated at 1,200 horsepower. With its first electric SUV, Maserati is aiming for just over 500 horsepower and a range of over 300 miles granted by a 105 kWh battery pack.

Mild-hybrid four-cylinder first, unique supercarish V-6 soon after, EV in the long run. Say ciao to the Maserati Grecale familia.