2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Review: Premium Performance, Premium Price
The new Maserati Gracale Trofeo is the compact luxury crossover at the top of the Grecale range and its performance flagship. It has now gone on sale in the USA and its resume certainly makes for impressive reading. The car comes with a 523-horsepower version of the acclaimed Nettuno twin-turbocharged V6 engine first seen in the MC20 sports car, class-leading interior space, and excellent handling thanks to an adaptive air suspension and the Giorgio platform that does such a sterling job underneath the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Nettuno V6 gives the 2023 Grecale Trofeo blistering pace, propelling it to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds - quick enough to leave the Porsche Macan GTS and BMW X3 M eating its dust. All of this is combined with a high-quality, tech-forward cabin and sultry looks, so it seems set to catapult right to the top rung of the podium, right? Well, with a steep $105k starting price, the new Maserati Grecale Trofeo is also a lot more expensive than these rivals, and this ambitious pricing strategy could prove to be its undoing.
What's the Price of the 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo?
With its $105,500 MSRP, the new 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo's price is nearly $20k more than a Macan GTS and an eye-watering $30k more than a BMW X3 M. That's before any extras are added. The destination fee is not included either and will cost you an additional $1,495.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Handling and Driving Impressions
We praised the normal four-cylinder Grecales for their excellent suspension setup and were pleased with the way they dart into corners and allow for a little lean and squat to provide a sound blend of comfort and handling. The Trofeo is far more focused and comes with standard adaptive air suspension and an additional Corsa driving mode for the track to firm up the suspension. This mode results in a rather stiff-legged ride, partly due to those 21-inch alloys, but it's still better than the downright harsh X3 M. In its normal modes, it's perfectly liveable and still strikes a fine balance for everyday use. Steering feel is quite a revelation and noticeably better than on the base cars, even though the heavier V6 engine in the nose means it doesn't feel quite as eager to turn in. Still, excellent performance overall, and with a full 523 hp on tap, the disciplined powertrain dispatches the urge deftly and efficiently, with a storming pace and excellent composure. One off-note was struck by the brakes, which can be a bit snatchy and make smooth driving difficult until you're used to them.
Verdict: Is The 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo A Good SUV?
The new Grecale Trofeo crossover ticks all the necessary boxes and as a product, exhibits extremely few weaknesses. It's beautifully styled, has a roomy and upmarket interior, comes with all the latest tech, and delivers a convincing performance on the road, with excellent handling and blistering quickness. The chink in its armor is its pricing and it will have to bank heavily on that cutting-edge engine and leather finishes to get people to sign on the dotted line. At over $100k, it's priced as Maseratis usually are - out of the market compared to rivals and destined for low volumes. It's a shame because the Grecale Trofeo doesn't have to make excuses and is an excellent car in its own right. But at only $4k less than the V8-powered BMW X5 M, it can't justify its price.
What 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Model Should I Buy?
There's only one 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo trim and it retails for an eye-watering $105k. And despite that price tag, it doesn't come with everything out of the box. By the time you've added the missing driver assists via the Driver Assistance Plus package, it's the same price as a BMW X5 M, and then you haven't even specified the upgraded audio system or a surround-view camera. It's certainly a lovely and rapid SUV, but it's simply not worth all that money.