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Aug 01, 2023

Maserati Grecale Trofeo 2023 Review

We’ve already driven the garden-variety Maserati Grecale Modena SUV. Now it’s time for the main course. The new Maserati Grecale Trofeo arrives in Australia bearing genuine supercar credentials

We’ve already driven the garden-variety Maserati Grecale Modena SUV. Now it’s time for the main course. The new Maserati Grecale Trofeo arrives in Australia bearing genuine supercar credentials courtesy of a stonking 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 offering up ridiculous 390kW/620Nm outputs. It makes for a salivating prospect when you consider the Grecale’s nippy 4.8-metre proportions and family-friendly brief: 0-100km/h in 3.8sec and a stonking soundtrack to match. As it turns out, the Trofeo sounds, feels and drives just like an SUV bearing the trident badge ought to.

The flagship Trofeo imposes a $37,000 premium over the mid-series Modena in the all-new 2023 Maserati Grecale range, priced at $165,000 plus on-road costs.

That compares with $109,500 plus ORCs for the most affordable Maserati Grecale GT that opens the line-up.

The three variants are distinguished by equipment and, of course, power outputs, with the Trofeo upgrading from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine to a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 borrowed from Maserati’s MC20 supercar.

At $165K, the Maserati Grecale Trofeo competes with like-minded performance SUVs such as the Porsche Macan GTS (from $141,700 plus ORCs) and Jaguar F-PACE SVR (from $155,100).

There’s also the BMW X3 M Competition (from $178,000) and, of course, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q (from $160,700) with which the Grecale shares key underpinnings.

Standard equipment highlights on the entry 2023 Maserati Grecale GT include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/tail-lights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start and a 14-speaker stereo.

For its premium, the Trofeo flagship adds larger 21-inch alloy wheels, 14-way adjustable sports front seats with memory function and heating, panoramic sunroof, 3D carbon-fibre trim, full premium leather upholstery, three-zone climate control with a separate screen interface for rear seat passengers, and a powered tailgate.

Mechanically, the Trofeo adopts the aforementioned supercar engine, quad exhaust tips, electronic limited-slip differential, ‘Skyhook’ air suspension and a larger braking system punctuated by red callipers.

Even at this price there’s no escaping the options catalogue. Our Grigio Lava test car wears $25,000 in add-ons, including a $3290 Tech Assistance Pack with niceties including a head-up display and wireless phone charging, plus a higher-spec 21-speaker audio system, heated rear seats and adaptive LED headlights.

The Maserati Grecale is backed by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia – less generous than most rivals – while servicing will set owners back $2500 over three years/45,000km (based on 12-month/15,000km intervals).

The 2023 Maserati Grecale hasn’t been officially crash tested by Euro NCAP or its Australian equivalent, ANCAP, but does get as standard adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian recognition, active lane management, rear cross traffic alert and drowsy driver detection.

There’s also a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring, ditto full airbag coverage.

However, those after speed sign recognition and an adaptive speed limiter will need to part with an additional $7050 for the optional ADAS Level 2 pack.

The 2023 Maserati Grecale leads the Italian sports-luxury marque in a new direction where infotainment and technology is concerned.

The former comprises a 12.3-inch centre touch-screen display paired to a 14-speaker Sonus Faber Premium Sound system and smartphone mirroring.

Underneath the centre screen is a separate 8.8-inch display housing dedicated, permanently-displayed climate control functions. Additionally, Maserati has packaged its P-R-N-D gear selectors into the centre fascia, liberating more storage space in the traditional centre console location.

The centre touch-screen is matched by a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

For what it’s worth, we found the technology offered a significant step-change in functionality and presentation from previous Maserati models.

Everything is clean and legible, with minimal digging through sub-menus for basic commands and quick reactions to user inputs. Presentation of said technology is also considered and tasteful.

Under the bonnet of the 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo is in fact the heart of a supercar. No, really.

The mid-size SUV borrows its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine from the Maserati MC20. The Italian marque’s ‘Nettuno’ mill is detuned slightly to 390kW/620Nm in this application and is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

All variants of the Grecale sit on an extended version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s architecture, known internally as the Giorgio platform.

Fuel efficiency of the 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo is surprisingly okay, given the performance brief.

We averaged 11.5L/100km in a mix of conditions using 98 RON premium unleaded fuel, including a handful of occasions with the accelerator pedal pushed up against the firewall… You know, just to test it out.

If the regular 2023 Maserati Grecale is considered the lukewarm, quasi-performance entry to the range, then by rights the Trofeo should compare as the hairy-chested big brother, especially given the pricing premium.

Happily, it lives up to the mantle.

The Grecale flagship eschews the elastic-feeling, so-so engine performance of lesser models for an unashamed brutish character, the kind that can only be wrought from larger engine displacement.

It feels immediately more intent from start-up, with seemingly unrestrained vocals and a more connected and effusive relationship with the bitumen underneath.

Regular conveyance feels more linear in the V6 than the four-cylinder, with peak torque materialising at 3000rpm and the automatic gearbox providing seamless passage up to higher speeds.

As ever, it is a cinch to navigate through car parks and tighter spaces, and there is ample outward vision despite its raked roofline.

The basic controls feel marginally weightier in our mind, while the ride and in-cabin refinement maintains ample control with the air suspension set to its softest Comfort setting.

Cut to an appropriate backdrop and the Trofeo provides laugh-out-loud bursts of excitement with its accelerative performance.

Full-throttle applications induce a visceral chorus of raspy sound, horizon-reeling forward momentum and a definitive rear-driven bias to the all-wheel drive system as the staggered Bridgestone Potenza Sport rubber grapples for traction.

About the only time to gather your thoughts during headier proceedings is briefly during the ignition-cut gear changes, each punctuated with a whipcrack-like sound.

Indeed, the at-times white-knuckled theatrics of the Trofeo are somewhat at odds with the dynamic benchmark in this segment, the Porsche Macan GTS, with its nuanced and intimate controls and deft balance.

Even so, the Trofeo almost marks a point of difference in doing so, and makes no apologies about it.

In short, the Trofeo unlocks a totally different character to the Grecale, and not at the expense of comfort or versatility.

The 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo feels quite special inside. Quality furnishings, tasteful lashings of metallic highlights and carbon-fibre, and excellent technology integration imbue the cabin with a contemporary but classy feel.

In place of the traditional Maserati carriage clock there’s a small panel that projects the time digitally, while the dual screens in the centre fascia include permanent climate controls on the lower side, which help ensure easy day-to-day functionality.

Additionally, Maserati has chosen to locate the gear selection controls in the dashboard itself in a boon for more odds-and-ends storage in the console area. In practice, it actually holds plenty of merit.

The thinking doesn’t quite work for the Maser’s electronic door release buttons. Essentially installed on the door card in lieu of door handles, the buttons look cool and work well enough, however Maserati has given into the legal requirement of a mechanical release switch underneath – which kind of undermines the whole idea.

Space is quite considered across both rows of seating; the Trofeo will happily accommodate a couple of adults in the rear on moderate journeys and two child seats at a squeeze.

The second row is complemented by rear air vents, separate power outlets and a relatively open door aperture.

Split-folding levers located in the boot area make stowing the second-row seats in a hurry a cinch, while a 12-volt outlet ensures another spot to charge appliances.

Unfortunately, the Grecale’s 530-litre cargo area goes without a spare tyre whatsoever – instead offering an inflation kit – but there is ample space for full-size suitcases, a set of golf clubs or a pram.

The 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo sounds, feels and drives like an SUV bearing the trident badge ought to.

In the company of cheaper German rivals, as well as the slightly more dynamically adept Porsche Macan GTS, the Trofeo isn’t exactly the most sensible pick in the performance SUV stable.

However, it leaves you with a sensory inclination that somehow justifies the price of admission. A genuine Maserati SUV.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo at a glance:Price: $165,000 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrolOutput: 390kW/620NmTransmission: Eight-speed automaticFuel: 11.2L/100km (WLTP)CO2: 254g/km (WLTP)Safety rating: Not tested

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