Review: 2023 Maserati Grecale GT Proves There Are Options Beyond The Porsche Macan

Maserati was speculated to be promoting 100,000 vehicles a yr by 2022. That’s the goal it set again in 2018. The actual 2022 determine – admittedly not helped by the worldwide provide disaster – turned out to be simply 23,400.

However issues actually may very well be about to vary. I do know it appears like we’ve heard that, oh, 100,000 occasions, like when the Ghibli sedan was introduced, after which the Levante, and neither actually delivered on their promise. However this time the omens are good. The arrival of the mid-engined MC20 has given the model some additional credibility with youthful (ie. sub-70) patrons, and Maserati has now entered one of many hottest market sectors on the earth with the Grecale compact SUV.

What’s the Grecale?

In idea it’s most simply defined as a Porsche Macan rival. In execution it’s a barely larger Alfa Romeo Stelvio with some helpful technical and luxurious enhancements, together with mild-hybrid tech and an electrical turbocharger working alongside an everyday one. Sounds fascinating on paper however does it stay as much as that promise? We grabbed the keys to search out out.

Just like the Macan, the Grecale is out there in a number of flavors, although all-wheel drive and combustion energy is a typical thread – a Folgore EV variant goes on sale quickly to battle the Macan EV. A lot of the protection on the worldwide launch final yr was dedicated to the 523 hp (530 PS) V6 Trofeo, however that’s a £99,700 ($105,500 in U.S.) machine. Most patrons will probably be rocking somewhat fewer horses. 

Each of the opposite fashions are powered by a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making both 296 hp (300 PS) within the entry-level £61,570 ($65,300) GT, or 326 hp (330 PS) within the £67,810 ($74,900) Modena, which additionally will get adaptive dampers, an improve to 20-inch wheels, black chrome trim and a restricted slip differential. Our tester was the entry-level GT with non-compulsory 20s.

Exterior and in: first impressions?

For a brand new automobile, the Grecale seems to be type of chintzy and dated within the metallic, although that may very well be partially all the way down to our automobile’s spec, particularly its mix of Bianco Astro paint and vivid chrome. The Modena and Trofeo variations look a lot cooler, or not less than in photos. It’s additionally slightly chunky across the rear finish, not taut and lean like a Porsche Macan, nevertheless it’s onerous to not just like the GranTurismo-style grille and the basic triple Maser vents on the entrance fenders.

As we talked about earlier, the Grecale rides on the identical platform because the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, nevertheless it feels superior in a few methods. The primary is the overall feel and appear of the inside. The triple-screen setup (gauges, infotainment and HVAC) reminds you that it’s far more fashionable than the Alfa, and the supplies are largely higher too.

It’s not excellent, although. Whereas the infotainment system seems to be slick and is pleasingly responsive, I believe Maserati has gone too far with the touchscreen issue, throwing the controls for the lights into the local weather show, for example, and the switches on the steering wheel’s higher spokes are disappointingly low cost. I’d additionally like to have the ability to drop the seat a lot decrease for a sportier driving place, like you’ll be able to in a Porsche Macan, and the gearshift selector is significantly boring. Pushing a bunch of buttons positioned between the 2 console screens to modify from drive to reverse feels actually unsporty, although the attractive aluminum shift paddles do their finest to make amends.

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However then we get to the opposite benefit over the Stelvio (and the Macan): area. Bounce within the again seat or open the rear hatch and also you’ll actually see and really feel the distinction Maserati’s engineers have made by stretching the wheelbase of the Stelvio’s Giorgio platform 3.3-in (83 mm) to 114.2 in (2,901 mm). That stretched wheelbase is greater than a Porsche Cayenne’s, by no means thoughts a Macan’s, so it’s no surprise that by class requirements the Grecale is a genuinely roomy automobile. The query is, can it put area between itself and its rivals on the street?

Hearth her up, then!

Hearth her up? Okay, simply so long as you mood your expectations. We’re driving the four-cylinder model, keep in mind. And to be sincere, even with that thought in thoughts, the primary impressions aren’t nice. The direct injection engine chunters away sounding extra like a hyper-refined diesel than one thing worthy of the Maserati badge, and a blip of the throttle reveals a pronounced flywheel impact.

Happily, issues get higher on the transfer. That’ll be all the way down to the stable 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque that’s out there from 2,000-4,000 rpm and helps even this entry-level Grecale really feel usefully muscular within the mid vary. It’s pretty sturdy from a dead-stop, too, contemplating there’s 4,123 lbs (1,870 kg) of metallic to get shifting. Maserati claims zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.6 seconds for the GT (5.3 seconds for the Modena), however in a little bit of unscientific analysis on a rustic street I logged 5.1 seconds on the Grecale’s on-board efficiency meter, plus 13.3 seconds to 100 mph (161 km/h).

There’s nonetheless some turbo lag, regardless of the very best efforts of the mild-hybrid system and electrical turbo to fill within the off-boost lethargy, and the 48-volt starter generator gained’t let the Grecale drive significant distances on electrical energy alone. As for financial system, nicely it’s no miracle employee there, both. The very best we noticed was 28.3 mpg UK (23.6 U.S.) on a motorway cruise, which might be higher than you’d get out of a 2.0 Macan in related circumstances, however not by a lot.

Nice dealing with steadiness, surprisingly snug

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However one different good thing about the mild-hybrid system is that the battery and DC converter are each positioned close to the rear axle. Why does that issues? As a result of though it eats into the load area (the non-hybrid Trofeo’s baggage bay is greater) it helps with the load distribution. Mix that with an engine that’s positioned virtually completely behind the entrance axle line and also you’ve obtained the recipe for an SUV with a refreshing eagerness to vary route.

We’ve little doubt that the posher Grecales with their adaptive dampers additional energy and restricted slip rear diffs are extra enjoyable, however even this fundamental automobile has a pleasant pure steadiness that allows you to tuck the nostril into an apex after which lean on the skin rear tire on the best way out. It’s first rate enjoyable, nevertheless it may very well be higher. We’d like a bit extra steering weight and the brakes really feel too mushy and spongy, not agency like a Porsche’s.

However the journey consolation is certainly price some reward. Even on the usual passive dampers and outfitted with a wheel improve from 19s to 20s (usually a disastrous transfer for many passive-damper vehicles) our GT felt good and supple – and infinitely much less harsh than my Mazda CX-60, which has the same setup.

What’s it up in opposition to?

I drove the Grecale within the UK the place the vary kicks off at £61,570. For context, the identical cash buys a 375 hp (380 PS) V6 Macan S, or a Macan base or T with a ton of choices. Positive, the Porsche is smaller, nevertheless it’s troublesome to argue in opposition to that type of deal, and most of the people gained’t. We most likely wouldn’t both.

However within the U.S. it’s a barely totally different story. The $65,300 (excluding transport) Grecale GT is priced between the bottom Macan and Macan T, neither of which has a lot drivetrain charisma, and the Macan S is $7k extra. All of a sudden the Maserati seems to be like a extra interesting proposition, though there are nonetheless loads of fascinating options. A 382 hp (388 PS) BMW X3 M40i that flies from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds for $61,900 is tempting, even when it doesn’t have the Maserati’s glamorous badge.

Which £65k/$65k SUV would get your money? Drop a remark beneath and tell us.

Picture Credit score: Chris Chilton/Carscoops