Maserati Grecale

The Maserati Grecale is the beautiful retro-designed sedan in Maserati’s lineup for Saudi Arabia. And that is quite a hot segment, with many sporty sedans trying to take the cake. In such a situation, is the Grecale then still a good option or will its price put many people off? We shall find the answer to that very question here.

Maserati Grecale: a great car offering fabulous performance and a quaint, almost vintage-automobile silhouette. Most importantly, it is a rather light car, and as everyone knows, light cars pay back poor power. In brief, the Grecale is a fun car to drive but not for everyone.

Price

Prices for the Maserati Grecale go from SAR 363,000 to SAR 527,000. 

Variants

The Maserati Grecale is available in 4 variants: Grecale GT, Grecale Modena, Grecale Trofeo, and the upcoming Grecale Folgore. 

Color Options

Three color options include Bianco Astro, Grigio Lava, and Nero Tempesta, all as metallic paint. The Folgore is available in four options: Bianco Astro, Blu Modena, Grigio Lava, and Nero Tempesta.

Engine & Transmission

The Maserati Grecale gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and it makes 296 horsepower for the base GT, but then Modena squeezes out a little more performance for 325 horsepower out of the same engine. Further, Grecale Trofeo with its supremely powerful 3000cc engine churns out a monstrous 530 horsepower. The numbers of the fourth variant i.e., the electric-powered Folgore variant are yet to be made public (expected: 105 kWh, 550hp).

Expert test drive impressions indicated slight turbo lag in the high-power engine, but once underway, lively acceleration and ample power supply through the powertrain left quite an impression. In sum, this engine will put a big smile on the drivers’ faces, especially if they are enthusiasts. 

The suspension, tuned to service both the sporting and comfort enthusiast, gives it a more forgiving ride in the sportier modes, absorbing the road imperfections when driven in the Comfort mode. Of course, the Porsche Macan is alive to responsiveness and balance while poised to bring easily into the fray that chiseled nimbleness on offer with the Grecale. 

The latter can be edged slightly behind in its approach to offering a purely pure driving experience. Inside, the Grecale looks upscale and up-to-date with loads of high-tech niceties and quality materials.

Inside the driver's field of vision is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster flanked by two screens on the center console. The upper screen is a 12.3-inches that runs infotainment functions while the 8.8-inch screen below it deals strictly with climate control and other ancillary settings. Optional equipment includes a three-zone climate control system and a head-up display. Passenger space is plentiful in the Grecale, although taller occupants or three passengers across will find it a little cramped. 

Features

Interior

To sum the Grecale’s exteriors up, they are not the most up-to-date. While they are fine, we don’t think they justify the slightly steep asking price. Be it the quality of the seats or the way the plastics feel, they just don’t justify the car’s asking price. Touch the plastics and they feel a bit hard and unsophisticated. 

Exterior

The Grecale’s exteriors now seem a bit dated, despite they might make anyone feel great. For example, the car’s front design is quite polarising. Be it the headlights’ shape, grill or even the rather plain overall design, the Grecale’s design won’t exactly turn heads the way you would want a car of this price would. 

Entertainment

Grecale’s infotainment system is built around Google’s platform and is operated via a 12.3-inch main touchscreen. An additional 8.8-inch touchscreen below it offers control over other vehicle functions, creating an advanced and intuitive two-screen layout. 

Standard connectivity includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an optional Wi-Fi hotspot available by subscription. Voice-command compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is also integrated, allowing for hands-free interaction with the vehicle’s systems. 

Comfort

Comfort is where the Grecale takes a bit of a back step as well. Being a sedan, its ride quality isn’t the best, given the slightly less ground clearance. In such a situation, a softer suspension setup would’ve caused the car to bottom out a fair bit, because of which, Maserati had to go with a firmer suspension setup. And that means one will feel almost every bump and pothole while inside the car. 

 Safety

For those interested in safety ratings, crash-test results for the Grecale can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety highlights include:

• Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, is provided as standard.
• Lane-departure warning combined with lane-keeping assist.
• Adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, enhancing both convenience and safety on longer drives.

Fuel Efficiency

You can expect a mileage of around 17kmpl. 

Best value for money

The base variant of the Grecale is more than enough for most people and hence we think that is the variant you can go for. 

Alternatives 

You can opt for the Porsche Macan, which will have better riding dynamics with a better chassis. Then, of course, there's the Mercedes Benz GLE, which is a more luxurious and premium car. You can even think of the BMW X4, which has more features than the Maserati Grecale. Along with these points, the aforementioned cars could also be more affordable to run in the longer run and that is also a solid reason to get them over the Grecale.