Globally, it is positioned opposite cars like the Porsche Macan and the BMW X4.
Bhpian karan561 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Likes
- Exterior Looks & Styling
- Deceptively Spacious Interiors
- Handling Performance (Platform)
- Touchpoint Haptics of the Steering wheel & Paddle Shifters are Spot On.
Dislikes
- Engine Performance
- Average Ride Comfort
- Digital Dials in the cluster
- Pricing (In the Indian market it’s too high to be considered)
For those who prefer text, may read on;
Exterior Looks & Design
The Maserati Grecale gracefully blends beauty & handsomeness into this design package. It is bold & distinctive, has enough Maserati elements (Grille, tri vents on the side, trident logo on pillar etc.) in this GT trim.
A Trident stamped SUV isn’t new, as we have had the Levante, the Grecale, being smaller yet manages to hold its now & holds ample street presence.
Platform
Grecale was internally codenamed the M182. The Platform it uses is called the Giorgio Platform. This Giorgio Platform was first used back in 2015 when the Alfa Romeo Giulia debuted.
Do note the Maserati Grecale was developed & is also manufactured in Italy, thankfully.
Maserati, being a part of FCA (now Stellantis), does share its Italian platform with cars like Alfa Romeo Stelvio & New Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Driving Performance
The Engine in this GT Trim was the 2L Turbo (Mild Hybrid), producing about only 300 hp. We are in the era of downsizing with high power outputs, but 2L 300 hp is nothing special.
It moves but it lacks the performance it deserves. This engine has a nomenclature of 2L GME T4 where the GME stands for Global Medium Engine.
Not to mislead you, but yeah, it’s still fun & sounds good (certain RPMs) but with load (passengers, luggage), the engine finds it difficult to deliver the expected performance.
However, there is a 3L Twin Turbo V6 on offer too on the higher spec Trofeo. Not sure why they missed giving a big diesel on this one. I think Maserati Diesels perform well & sound great too.
Gearbox duty is yet again done by ZF 8-speeder. Good but not great in this package. Upshifts (exhaust farts are enjoyable) are fine but the downshifts are slow. However, the long paddle shifters (beautifully crafted, maybe cut off a Ferrari) are profoundly engaging.
Handling & Ride
The Handling is where the Grecale shines the most. This platform originated from the Giulia which was a great car in its own right & the Grecale handles like a sedan.
The steering is designed well with its compact size & its directness comes into life on roads such as these.
The car gets only 3 modes, namely:
- Comfort
- GT
- Sport
This is a good thing, there is no Eco or a mode above Sport (like Sport+ or Track, etc.)
I drove mostly in the GT mode as it felt like having a bit of everything. Unfortunately, the Comfort mode was not that comfortable.
Also, the car was running on an all-season tyre setup & not performance summer tyres, still it showcased very good handling prowess.
Interior Design & Space
It’s deceptively spacious inside the Grecale. Wider than expected cabin, headroom is good too.
The Interior design has an Italian flair with good materials and takes care of the touch point haptics very well. The start stop button & drive control knob is inspired by Ferraris. My favourite design element is the clock, which strikes a good balance of retro & modern with its design & movement.
The Screen is smooth to operate and it has all the gizmos like Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity. Do note the P N R D/M buttons on the dashboard. Rear space is good for the segment too & so is the boot space.
Final Thoughts
Globally, the Grecale is positioned opposite cars like the Porsche Macan or the BMW X4 but the way the GT is priced in India, it pushes itself into an unknown territory of much superior cars & sort of becomes lost because the enthusiasts may also give it a miss because of more powerful options available. But if you still want to drive something which is unique & uncommon with a lot of flair & flamboyance, then you might want to consider the Grecale.
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
