2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Review: First Impressions
In the world of automobiles, there are generally two types of buyers: those who purchase a car because they need one and those who buy a car because they want one. Most people seeking basic transportation aren’t typically in the market for a six-figure Maserati Grecale Trofeo, even if it’s a crossover SUV. A Maserati isn’t the kind of car you buy just because everyone else has one; instead, it’s for individuals with a bit of affluence who are drawn to its unique appeal and want something that stands out from the crowd.
In the highly competitive realm of performance luxury SUVs, being different is a challenge, but it can also be a significant advantage. It means you’re not merely trying to emulate your neighbors, but it can also lead to explaining your decision to those who might expect you to get a Porsche, Mercedes, or BMW. But amidst the dominance of stoic German speed machines, cars from Italy offer a breath of fresh air.
When a vehicle hails from the same country that has contributed some of the most extraordinary automobiles throughout history, among many other lavish things, you know it’s deserving of attention. Italy is often regarded as the heart and soul of the car industry, and few nations have the same knack for producing vehicles that can ignite your passion. Does the Maserati Grecale Trofeo live up to that reputation? I spent several days in Los Angeles to find out.
Premium Pick: 2025 Maserati Grecale – 9/10
Handsome, beautifully crafted inside and out, and incredibly fast, the Grecale Trofeo is proof that Maserati is still very much alive and capable of making cars. It encapsulates the seductive artistry of Italy’s car-making heritage in a package that has what it takes to put the iconic Trident back on top.
- Make: Maserati
- Model: Grecale
- Trim Tested: Trofeo
- Segment: SUV
- Engine: 3.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Gasoline DOHC V-6
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Horsepower: 523 HP @ 6,000 RPM
- Torque: 457 LB-FT @ 3,000-5,500 RPM
- Driveline: All-Wheel Drive
- Starting Price (MSRP): $69,900
- MSRP (As Tested): $123,110
- Fuel Economy: 18 MPG City / 25 MPG Highway / 20 MPG Combined
- Towing Capacity: 5,500 Pounds
- Payload Capacity: 1,417 Pounds
- 0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds (Mfr. Claimed)
- Top Speed: 177 MPH (Mfr. Claimed)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Masterful handling and driving experience
- Only Italy could make a V-6 this good
- Italian leather-wrapped interior offers a luxurious experience
- Eye-catching and beautiful design
- It’s a Maserati
Cons:
- Shocking brake fade and overheating when pushed to the limit
- Relatively thirsty with fuel consumption
- More expensive than rivals
To give you an honest and unbiased review, I drove the vehicle reviewed in this article daily throughout the course of daily life for a period of four days.
2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo: First Impressions
From the moment I picked up the Grecale Trofeo at LAX to the time I pulled up to dinner, I could sense the Maserati’s inherent curb appeal. Arriving at supper felt like an aura of luxury. It was as if I’d changed from everyday jeans and a t-shirt into an Ermenegildo Zegna suit.
It’s not so overstated that affluent Los Angelenos were rushing to take pictures for social media, but I sensed that the Grecale Trofeo caught their attention and sparked curiosity. A few even offered compliments like “nice car.” It’s easy to dismiss many crossover SUVs as all looking alike, but the Grecale’s clean, beautifully sculpted sheet metal is both eye-catching and understated. It delivers a refined aesthetic that only the Italians seem to perfect. It is neither gaudy nor under-styled, but simply handsome in its own right.
The interior elevates the experience, with everything wrapped in enough supple Italian leather to make a high-end boutique jealous.
Exterior Dimensions
- Length: 191.3 Inches
- Width (w/ Mirrors): 85.1 Inches
- Height: 65.3 Inches
- Wheelbase: 114.2 Inches
- Front Track: 63.8 Inches
- Rear Track: 66.7 Inches
- Curb Weight: 4,468 Pounds
Driving Impressions and Performance
Many automakers have demonstrated that SUVs can handle well, but the Maserati Grecale Trofeo sets a new standard in this regard. The Grecale is masterfully poised, polished, and balanced, providing a tremendous example of how a luxury high-performance SUV should feel, behave, and perform from the driver’s seat.
It feels like a natural extension of your body, ready to respond harmoniously to your every input, eagerly devouring asphalt. There’s a distinct Italian and sophisticated way the Grecale navigates the road. As the top-spec performance model in the range, the Trofeo is hard-edged and designed for speed, both in a straight line and around curves. However, there’s a suave refinement and fluidity in its motions and responses.
From the way your inputs translate to results, it makes a Porsche Macan Turbo feel somewhat harsh. The Grecale Trofeo, on the other hand, makes you want to drive fast while wearing a big grin and yearning for more.
Braking and Acceleration
The car provides just that, thanks to its fabulous Nettuno twin-turbo V-6. On paper, it might seem like any other high-performance twin-turbo V-6. But give it a good workout, and it immediately reveals that it’s no ordinary engine.
This is a true Italian thoroughbred and a masterpiece in its own right. Its throaty, fluttery engine and exhaust notes may remind you of the Alfa Romeo’s 2.9-liter twin-turbo 690T V-6 in the Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio. Still, the Nettuno’s clean-sheet design with engineering input from Maserati’s Formula 1 team means it is entirely unique.
It’s both provocative and refined, with virtually no vibration—an impressive feat for a 90-degree V-6 without a balance shaft. Italians clearly excel when it comes to internal combustion engines, and the Nettuno V-6 is a prime example.
However, when it came to slowing down, there was a bit of disappointment. After some difficult trail-braking maneuvers near Topanga Canyon in Malibu, the Grecale Trofeo’s brakes experienced severe fade. The pedal offered almost no braking power until they completely cooled off. After two hard uses, the brakes were so hot and faded that the smell of burnt pads lingered in the car for the entire 45-minute drive back to my Airbnb.
For a six-figure Italian luxury SUV, this was a shock. Yet, otherwise, the calipers, rotors, and pedal felt up to the task. I am assuming it was a poor choice of brake pads from the factory, and above all, a significant oversight.
- Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds (Manufacturer Claimed)
- Top Speed: 177 MPH
Performance Specifications
- Engine: 3.0-Liter “Nettuno” Twin-Turbocharged Gasoline DOHC V-6
- Transmission: 8-Speed ZF 8HP75 Gen 2 Automatic
- Horsepower: 523 HP @ 6,000 RPM
- Torque: 457 LB-FT @ 3,000-5,500 RPM
- Fuel Economy (CMB): 20 MPG
- 0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds (Mfr. Claimed)
- Top Speed: 177 MPH (Mfr. Claimed)
- Towing Capacity: 5,500 Pounds
- Payload Capacity: 1,417 Pounds
2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo: Fuel Economy
The Environmental Protection Agency rates the Grecale Trofeo as capable of achieving up to 18 miles per gallon in the city, 25 on the highway, and a combined average of 20 MPG. In theory, this seems pretty good for a luxury performance SUV. However, during actual use with the 523 eager horses under the hood, it was almost impossible to get anywhere near those figures, especially with the constant stop-and-go traffic of Los Angeles.
Instead, the trip computer reported an average of between 14–17 miles per gallon. On a longer trip to Moreno Valley, about an hour and a half east of DTLA, the trip computer showed elevated figures around 18–21 miles per gallon. Adding to the Grecale’s fuel consumption is that the car has a fuel tank capacity of just under 17 gallons.
- City: 18 MPG (EPA Rated) / 14-16 MPG (As Tested)
- Highway: 25 MPG (EPA Rated) / 17-21 MPG (As Tested)
- Combined: 20 MPG (EPA Rated) / 15-19 MPG (As Tested)
Interior Design And Comfort
Maserati has had a mixed reputation for its interior build quality and design in the past. However, in recent years, this has changed with the Grecale Trofeo.
With soft Italian leather, quality plastics, and other carefully chosen materials, the Grecale Trofeo’s interior has a high-quality feel. Even the doors close with a solid thud. It’s a fantastic place to spend time, particularly if you’re frequently stuck in traffic, like in Los Angeles.
Although designed for performance support, the Grecale Trofeo’s seats are also comfortable. The noise, vibration, and overall harshness levels are exceptional. The ride, also tuned for handling, smoothed out nearly all imperfections. This is true as long as the suspension is not in Corsa mode.
Interior Dimensions
- Total Passenger Volume: 98 Cubic Feet
Italians don’t provide specific interior dimensions, with Maserati only noting that the Grecale offers up to 98 cubes of total passenger volume. In comparison, a Macan offers 96 cubes.
Technology and Ease of Use
Because of the Stellantis ownership, Maserati uses Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system, calling its version Maserati Intelligent Assistant. Maserati simply reworks the software to feature Trident badges, Grecale Trofeo logos, and other graphics.
It features a logical menu, quick responses, and high-definition graphics. The main 12.3-inch infotainment screen is flanked by a smaller touchscreen for the HVAC, seat comfort, and other auxiliary features. Although the touchscreen is easy to navigate, it does take time to get used to it, and it does require taking your eyes off the road as there are no physical buttons.
Cargo and Storage Space
The Grecale is sized between a Porsche Macan and a BMW X3. As such, the Grecale offers a decent amount of cargo space at 20 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. The Grecale boasts 20 cubes behind the rear seats, and with the seats folded down, we presume the space increases to around 40 or 50 cubic feet.
- Cargo Capacity Behind Second-Row: 20 Cubic-Feet
- Cargo Capacity w/ Second Row Folded: 40-50 Cubic-Feet (Est.)
2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo vs. Competitors
As a compact crossover SUV with a starting price of around $69,900, the Grecale finds itself in a unique spot because it is considerably more expensive than most of its competition. However, as the high-performance range-topper, with a $110,200 MSRP, it finds itself in an even more unique position.
How The Maserati Grecale Trofeo Compares To The Porsche Macan GTS
- Make: Maserati
- Model: Grecale
- Segment: SUV
- Engine: 3.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Gasoline DOHC V-6
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Horsepower: 523 HP @ 6,000 RPM
- Torque: 457 LB-FT @ 3,000-5,500 RPM
- Driveline: All-Wheel Drive
- Starting Price (MSRP): $69,900
- 0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds (Mfr. Claimed)
- Top Speed: 177 (Mfr. Claimed)
- Make: Porsche
- Model: Macan GTS
- Segment: Crossover
- Engine: 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Horsepower: 434 hp
- Torque: 405 lb-ft
- Driveline: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Starting Price (MSRP): $86,800
- 0-60 MPH: 4.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 169 mph
Because of the limited number of SUVs in this category, the Grecale Trofeo has only a few direct competitors, with the Porsche Macan GTS being its closest rival. Both are “compact” luxury high-performance crossover SUVs that sit at the top of their model ranges. But, the Grecale is slightly bigger and has more brand recognition.
Performance
Both the Porsche Macan GTS and the Maserati Grecale Trofeo feature excellent twin-fed V-6s. Their displacements are around 3.0 liters, both accelerating from 0-60 MPH in about 3.5 seconds, with top speeds approaching supercar territory. The Macan GTS does this with only 434 hp, while the Grecale Trofeo has 534. The Porsche is lighter and smaller, resulting in slightly better handling and braking.
Comfort
Neither the Macan GTS nor Grecale Trofeo greatly suffer in terms of comfort. Both are quiet and luxurious, as high-end performance SUVs should be. Some may find the Macan’s seats a little firmer on long trips than the Grecale Trofeo’s. And the Maserati is bigger and more spacious. The Macan GTS’s ride may be stiffer, but both models benefit from standard adaptive air suspension with multiple settings.
Technology
Both models offer all the features each manufacturer provides, being the top-of-the-line versions in their respective ranges. The Maserati is newer and has more up-to-date infotainment and driver-assist tech, while the Macan is showing its age in its current form.
Conclusion
Is the Maserati Grecale Trofeo perfect? No, but no car truly is. However, it ticks all the boxes one expects a high-end, six-figure, performance luxury crossover SUV to tick. It has a great look, is beautifully made, and provides impressive performance. The Grecale Trofeo does so with the kind of passion the Italians are known for. It’s a fine Italian thoroughbred.
Although the vehicle tested for this review is a 2024 model-year car, we confirmed with Maserati representatives that the 2025 Grecale Trofeo carries over unchanged, and the experience is identical. – Ed.
Sure, others are cheaper, just as fast, and more practical. The Grecale Trofeo is almost $20,000 more than the Macan GTS. That’s the price to pay for the exclusivity of owning one of Italy’s finest. The Macan GTS might be Hugo Boss, but the Grecale Trofeo is Salvatore Ferragamo. And none can match the allure of a Maserati.
