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There’s something about a Maserati that makes you pause, look and simply applaud. The intoxicating sound, the quintessential Italian design, and that iconic Trident badge born out of grand prix racing and impeccable craftsmanship.
The Grecale takes that same magic and distils it into something everyday-usable, yet still unmistakably special. It’s Maserati’s answer to the mid-size luxury SUV segment, and in true Trident fashion, it refuses to blend in.
Available in three flavours – entry-level GT, the ‘tuned’ Modena, and the supercar-derived Trofeo – the Grecale range has been designed to suit three very different kinds of drivers, though all share the same DNA: unique performance, craftsmanship and character.
The Grecale GT is your starting point, though there’s nothing entry-level about it. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech, good for around 220kW of power and 450Nm of torque, and sending drive through all four wheels.
It’s absolutely no slouch, and quick enough to make a run to the shops put a grin on your face, with 0-100km/h acceleration in around 5.6 seconds.
But what impresses most is how refined and balanced it feels. The ride has a calm composure that makes the GT perfect for city life, but give it an open stretch of road and it responds instantly, with that trademark Maserati soundtrack humming through the cabin.
Inside, it’s pure luxury. Real materials, impeccable attention to detail, and a minimalist but bespoke-like dash layout anchored by Maserati’s twin-screen setup. It feels like the perfect SUV for someone who wants the badge and the emotion without needing the fireworks every day.
Step into the Grecale Modena and things tighten up a notch or two. It’s still powered by the same turbo-four engine, but it’s been tuned to deliver an uprated 242kW, backed by sharper throttle response and a chassis that feels even more alive.
Active suspension and a mechanical limited-slip differential give the Modena genuine heart-racing confidence through corners that the GT only hints at, yet it never loses its comfort or composure.
It’s the sweet spot of the range – elegant, fast and effortlessly refined. The design takes a sportier direction too, with subtle changes in body detailing and wheels that make it stand out a little more without screaming for attention.
It’s the one you’d drive every day and still look forward to on a Sunday.
Then there’s the top-spec Grecale Trofeo – a completely different animal packing more firepower than the entire Italian Navy. Under the bonnet lurks Maserati’s properly bespoke 3.0-litre twin-turbo Nettuno petrol V6 – a detuned version of the same engine found in the obscenely rapid MC20 supercar.
Armed with 390kW of power and a stomping 620Nm of tarmac-twisting torque, it transforms the Grecale into something quite thrilling.
Rocketing from standstill to 100km/h in a lightning-fast 3.8 seconds (it feels even quicker), it’s the way it builds speed that’s even more intoxicating than the off-the-line launch.
It tears through the rev range and the sound is straight-up addictive, too – a deep, metallic growl that only an Italian V6 can make.
Yet even with all that performance, it remains beautifully appointed inside. Plush leather, precision stitching, and a design that blends sport and luxury in a way few brands can pull off.
Yes, it’s firm in Corsa mode for proper corner carving, but soften it up and it becomes an indulgent grand tourer, ready for an interstate excursion or short weekend getaways.
Across all three variants, the Grecale offers practicality that makes it more than just a beautiful object.
The boot is generous at around 535 litres (slightly more in the Trofeo), and there’s plenty of space for passengers, while the tech suite is intuitive and modern. It feels every bit a luxury SUV, but one that hasn’t forgotten how to stir emotion like only Maserati knows how to do.
On the road, Grecale stands apart from all of its rivals. Where the others might prioritise precision, the Maserati leans into passion. It’s more soulful, more expressive – and that’s what makes it so appealing. You don’t just drive a Grecale, it genuinely stirs the soul.
So whether you’re drawn to the calm confidence of the GT, the balanced energy of the uprated Modena, or the raw thrill of the Trofeo, each one delivers something authentically Maserati, authentically Italian.
This is an SUV that speaks to the heart as much as the head – and in a segment crowded with sameness, it’s the one that stands out, the one that feels special.
If you haven’t yet experienced it, book a test drive. Because numbers and specs only tell part of the story. The rest, as Maserati knows better than most, is all about how it makes you feel.
MORE: Explore the Maserati Grecale showroom
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