2022 Maserati Grecale Trofeo review

This Italian brand is preparing to unleash its new beast on Australian roads, and it has the Germans firmly in its sights.

2022 Maserati Grecale Trofeo.

There’s a beast beneath the bonnet of the Maserati Grecale Trofeo. The twin-turbo V6 that sets the performance version of this new mid-size SUV apart from the rest of the range is basically the same engine used in the Italian brand’s unexpectedly brilliant MC20 super sports car.

The deep exhaust rumble at idle hints at the 3.0-litre engine’s potential. It sounds like something larger, and it drives that way too.

The range-topping Grecale Trofeo has serious performance.

The new Maserati is more powerful than the fast and furious Mercedes-Benz GLC63 S AMG, a direct rival which happens to have a 4.0-litre V8. And the Italian engine also bests the 3.0-litre in-line six in the BMW X3 M Competition and the 2.9-litre V6 in the Porsche Macan GTS.

But the Germans needn’t worry for a while yet. The Grecale won’t go on sale in Australia until the second quarter of 2023. Pricing won’t be announced until much closer to that time, but it’s worth noting the rivals just mentioned are in the $150,000 to $175,000 range.

The Trofeo tops a three-model line-up. Both the basic GT and mid-range Modena have a twin-turbo 2.0-litre four boosted by a low-voltage mild-hybrid system, though with 243kW on tap in the latter has a little more power to go with its higher status.

The Grecale wont arrive until late in 2023.

Though it’s a very big jump from here to the 390kW of the Trofeo, all three have the same eight-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system. But there are plenty of tech upgrades elsewhere.

The Trofeo gets larger wheels, bigger brakes, an additional Corsa drive mode, an electronic limited-slip rear differential and comes standard with the air suspension system that’s optional extra on the GT and Modena. An unexpected Trofeo bonus is extra luggage space; the hybrid battery pack slightly reduces the volume of the cargo compartment.

Like other Grecales, the Trofeo’s interior is very roomy. The Maserati is built on the same chassis platform as the Stelvio SUV from sister company Alfa Romeo, but with extra length between the front and rear axles. The result is excellent rear-seat legroom.

The Gercale Trofeo gets a range of performance upgrades including bigger brakes and a limited slip rear diff.

Up front is an up-to-date instrument panel. The Grecale is the first Maserati to adopt a new and clutter-free layout built around a central pair of portrait-oriented touchscreen displays.

There’s a crisp and quick Android Automotive-powered infotainment system on top, controls for the heating, ventilation and aircon below. Between them is a row of push-buttons for the transmission; there’s no selector lever.

With other improvements – new steering wheel design, screen-based instrument display – the Grecale is at last a Maserati with an interior that’s truly a match for the Germans when it comes to design, quality and tech.

The Grecale gets a modern interior with plenty of digital screens.

Same can’t be said for the exterior. The Grecale is good-looking, but bland. From the rear it’s almost anonymous, though the clear Maserati character of the front end tries hard to compensate.

The default driving mode on start-up is GT, which delivers the same very plush suspension feel as Comfort, but makes engine and transmission feel sharper and adds weight to the steering.

Maserati engineers admit the super-soft ride in GT and Comfort modes was chosen to satisfy customers in the US. Australians are likely to prefer the firmer control offered by the Sport mode, which worked well both on Italian motorways and bumpy backroads.

There are a range of driving modes to suit different driving conditions.

The Grecale Trofeo is good fun to drive quickly. The calmly precise steering is near-perfect for a sporty SUV, the brakes powerful and consistent, and the handling is confident.

But it’s that engine which makes the Trofeo really special. From gruff idle through roaring mid-range to screaming top end, it delivers a memorably solid surge of shove, Italian style. MASERATI GRECALE TROFEO VITALS

Price: $170,000 (est)

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo; 390kW/620Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto; AWD 

Thirst: 11.2L/100km   

0-100km/h: 3.8 secs

Originally published as 2022 Maserati Grecale Trofeo review