2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Review: A Suave Italian Luxury Sports SUV With Pure Heart And Soul

In the car world, there are typically two types of buyers: those who buy a car out of necessity, and those who buy one because they want one. Most, if not all, after an appliance to get them from point A to point B aren’t typically after cars like a $100,000 high-performance Maserati Grecale Trofeo Even if it’s in the form of a gotta-have-it crossover SUV. Generally, a Maserati also isn’t the sort of car that people with money buy, because everybody has one.

Rather, a Maserati is the sort of car that affluent people buy because their hearts are tugging at their desires for one, and they want something different from everyone else. In the cut-throat competitive world of performance luxury SUVs, being different is not only very challenging, but it can be a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because it avoids the idea that you’re trying to copy your neighbors. A curse because you would be stuck explaining to everyone why you didn’t get a Porsche, Mercedes, or BMW.

But in a world dominated by stoic German speed demons, Italian cars are a total breath of fresh air. When an automobile comes from the same country that’s given us some of the finest automobiles in all history, among many other fine lavish things, you know it’s going to be at least worth one’s attention. It’s often said Italy is the heart and soul of the car industry, and few countries know how to produce cars that can zealously sweep you off your feet as well as them. Does the Maserati Grecale Trofeo pull it off? I spent a few days motoring about Los Angeles finding out.

2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo First Impressions

From the moment I picked up the Grecale Trofeo at LAX, to the time I pulled up to my first evening’s dinner spot in the City of Angels. I could sense the Maserati’s instantaneous curb swagger. Arriving at supper was like basking in an aura of couture, as if I had just slipped out of my humdrum jeans and t-shirt and into an Ermenegildo Zegna suit without actually doing so. It’s not striking to the point where affluent Los Angelites were whipping out their smartphones to grab a picture for the ‘Gram or ‘Tok. Rather, I could sense the Grecale Trofeo at least caught their eye out of curiosity and intrigue.

It’s easy to undermine most crossover SUVs as all “look the same”. But the Grecale’s clean, yet beautifully shaped sheet metal is both somehow eye-catching and subtle, serving up a refined and pulchritudinous aesthetic that only the Italians can seem to pull off. It’s neither too garish, nor under-styled, and just downright handsome in its own right. It gets even better on the inside, with everything wrapped in enough supple Italian leather to put a Louis Vuitton store to absolute shame.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Many automakers have proven that SUVs can handle well, but Maserati clearly helps set the bar with the Grecale Trofeo. Masterfully poised, polished, and eagerly balanced in nearly every direction it moves, the Grecale is a tremendous example of how a luxury high-performance SUV should feel, behave, and perform from behind the wheel. It feels like a pure extension of your body, ready to work harmoniously with your every effort to devour asphalt at your behest.

But there’s a distinctly Italian and sophisticated way it goes about it. As the range’s near-top-spec performance model (only the all-electric Folgore sits above), the Trofeo is definitely hard-edged and set up to haul ass both in a straight line and the curvy bits. However, there’s a certain level of suave refinement and fluidity to its motions and reactions. From just the way your inputs translate to results, it makes a Porsche Macan Turbo feel savage and too serious. The Grecale Trofeo, on the other hand, makes you want to go fast while having the dorkiest grin on your face and yearning for more.

Braking And Acceleration

And more is what it provides, thanks to its fabulous Nettuno twin-turbo V-6. On paper, it may seem like every other high-po twin-turbo V-6 out there. But give it a good workout, and it immediately shows it’s no ordinary V-6 pulled from the shelf and given just a few mods to punch out more power than a BMW M3. It is a true Italian thoroughbred and nothing short of a soulful masterpiece.

Its throaty and fluttery engine and exhaust notes may remind you of Alfa Romeo’s 2.9-liter twin-turbo 690T V-6 in the Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio. However, the Nettuno’s clean-sheet, ground-up design with engineering input from Maserati’s Formula 1 team means it is absolutely unrelated. And boy, does it show, simply from the way it briskly climbs and moves through its rev ranges with virtually zero turbo lag.

It’s both provocative and superbly refined with nary a vibration or pulse—an absolute feat for a 90-degree V-6 with no balance shaft. Italians clearly know what they’re doing when it comes to internal combustion engines and the Nettuno V-6 is a fastidious example of that repertoire.

However, it wasn’t all dandy when it came to shaving off speed. After some hard trail-braking maneuvers around Topanga Canyon just east of Malibu, the Grecale Trofeo’s brakes exhibited serious fade, with the pedal yielding almost no braking power until they completely cooled off. The brakes were so hot and faded after two hard uses, the smell of burnt pads lingered in the car on the whole 45-minute trek back to my Airbnb in Hollywood.

It was a bit of a shocker for a six-figure Italian performance SUV. Otherwise, the clamps, rotors, and pedal felt very much up to the task. So, I chalk it up to a poor choice of brake pads from the factory, and above all, a serious oversight.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds (Manufacturer Claimed)
• Top Speed: 177 MPH

Performance Specifications

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, with a combined average of 20 MPG. On paper, it appears to be pretty damn good in the fuel economy department for a luxury-performance SUV. But in practice and with 523 eager Italian horses on tap, it was almost nearly impossible to get anywhere near those figures. Especially with LA’s relentless stop-and-go traffic, on top of a spirited sprint up the Angeles Crest Highway.

Instead, the trip computer reported an average of between 14–17 miles per gallon. On a longer, more highway-oriented trip out to Moreno Valley, about an hour and a half east of DTLA, the trip computer returned elevated figures of around 18–21 miles per gallon. What didn’t help the Grecale’s fuel situation is the fact that its puny fuel tank is about the size of a Chianti decanter, or just under 17 gallons.

Interior Design And Comfort

Maserati may have developed a hit-or-miss reputation for interior build quality and design during its older FCA days. But that is definitely not the case with the Grecale Trofeo’s. With soft Italian leather nearly everywhere you touch, and respectably quality plastics and other substantial choice materials throughout, the Grecale Trofeo’s interior feels like it befits those who wear Armani as regular casual wear. Even the doors open and close with a solid and resounding thud. It is a fantastic place to spend time, especially if you’re stuck in a car for long periods, like trying to get anywhere in Los Angeles.

Although biased towards performance support, the Grecale Trofeo’s seats also provide lots of comfort, likely from their supple Italian hides. The overall noise, vibration, and harshness levels are also absolutely sublime and the ride, even though tuned for handling, ironed out nearly all imperfections, including the infamous freeway humps and hops that Los Angeles is known for. That is, as long as you keep the suspension out of Corsa mode.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Because Stellantis owns Maserati, the Italian automaker makes use of Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system and adopts its version called Maserati Intelligent Assistant. Taking from an already beloved interface and system, Maserati simply reworks the software to feature Trident badges, Grecale Trofeo logos, and other bespoke graphics. It’s as easy and intuitive to use as Uconnect with a logical menu hierarchy, quick responses, and high-definition graphics.

The main 12.3-inch infotainment screen is flanked at the bottom by a smaller color touchscreen for other functionalities such as the HVAC, seat comfort, and other auxiliary features. Although fairly easy to navigate, the second screen does take some time to get used to and, unfortunately, it requires taking your eyes off the road to see what you’re selecting, as there are no physical buttons.

Cargo And Storage Space

The Grecale is roughly sized between a Porsche Macan and a BMW X3, sitting about in the middle of the compact SUV lot. As such, the Grecale actually offers a decent amount of cargo space at 20 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. That’s more than the smaller Macan’s 17.2 cubic feet but pales compared to all of its other competitors, including the larger X3, which offers up to 25 cubic feet or more.

For some reason, Italians aren’t big on sharing specific cargo space dimensions. So, while Maserati says the Grecale Trofeo boasts 20 cubes behind its rear seats, with the seats folded down, we presume it more than doubles to around 40 or 50 cubic feet, as it does with most vehicles of its type.

2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Vs. Its Competitors

As Maserati’s compact crossover SUV with a starting price of around $69,900 (without destination) for the base 300, the Grecale lands itself in a unique spot as it’s considerably more expensive than nearly all of its competition. Including the current Porsche Macan, which starts at $62,900 (also without destination).

But because the Trofeo is the high-performance range-topper, with a $110,200 MSRP, it’s even in a more unique spot as an equivalent Macan GTS, its closest competitor today, starts at $90,995. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio would normally be the most ideal comparison, despite being cheaper at $93,270. However, the Alfa won’t live past the 2024 model year as it’s been discontinued.

How The Maserati Grecale Trofeo Compares To The Porsche Macan GTS

Because the pickins are slim when it comes to SUVs of this caliber, the Grecale Trofeo has only a few competitors, and the closest one today remains the aging, but still excellent and potent Porsche Macan GTS. Both are “compact” luxury high-performance crossover SUVs that sit at the top of their model range totem poles and both have prices hovering around the $100,000 mark.

The Porsche is a little cheaper and smaller, with a starting price of around $90,000, whereas the Grecale Trofeo is already in six-figure territory at $104,000. But the Grecale is slightly bigger and has slightly more elevated brand status and recognition.

Performance

Both the Porsche Macan GTS and the Maserati Grecale Trofeo feature the best twin-fed V-6s either manufacturer has in their stable. With both displacements hovering around 3.0 liters, both can crack the 0-60 MPH time in around 3.5 seconds with top speeds in nearly supercar territory. The Macan GTS, however, does it with only 434 hp, versus the Grecale Trofeo’s 534. But the Porsche is smaller and weighs less, and thus, handles and brakes slightly better. The Grecale Trofeo also handles extraordinarily well but is hindered by its subpar braking performance from what I can deduce as inferior pads.

Comfort

Neither the Macan GTS nor Grecale Trofeo suffer greatly in the comfort departments. Both are very quiet and luxurious, as near six-figure high-end performance SUVs should be. However, there could be some nitpicks, which may be more of a subjective matter. Some may find the Macan’s seats a little harder and less comfortable on long trips than the Grecaleo Trofeo’s. And the Maserati is bigger and more spacious. The Macan GTS’s ride might be a little bit stiffer than the Grecale Trofeo’s, but both benefit from standard adaptive air suspension with multiple settings.

Technology

Both the Macan GTS and Grecale Trofeo offer all the bells and whistles each manufacturer offers, being top-of-the-line models in their respective ranges. The Maserati, however, is newer and features more up-to-date infotainment and driver-assist tech. Whereas, the Macan is starting to show its age as it’s been with us for over a decade in its current core form, even after several updates. But the Macan still performs admirably today with all of its technological features.

A Suave, Elegant Italian High-Performance Luxury Crossover That Just Warms Your Heart

Is the Maserati Grecale Trofeo perfect? No, but then again, no car really is. But it ticks all the boxes one expects a high-end, six-figure, performance luxury crossover SUV to tick. It looks great, it’s beautifully made, and goes like stink. Just don’t go like stink too hard and overwhelm the factory brakes, until you or Maserati upgrades to better pads. But it does so with the sort of flare and passion the Italians are known for, and the Grecale Trofeo bleeds that excitement from every crevice and pore of its Italian leather-wrapped interior and artfully shaped exterior.

Sure, others are cheaper, just as fast, and more practical. For instance, the Grecale Trofeo is almost $20k more than the Macan GTS, its closest-performing rival. But that’s the price to pay for such exclusivity to own 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 or the curb appeal of a fine Italian thoroughbred, which the Maserati truly is.