logo
  • Buy
  • Sell
  • Finance
  • NEW CARS
  • Insurance
  • Protect
  • Ship
  • Events
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
duPont REGISTRY News
  • Car News
    • Aston Martin News
    • Audi News
    • Bentley News
    • BMW News
    • Bugatti News
    • Ferrari News
    • Ford News
    • Jaguar News
    • Koenigsegg News
    • Lamborghini News
    • Land Rover News
    • Lotus News
    • Maserati News
    • McLaren News
    • Mercedes-Benz News
    • Pagani News
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce News
  • Cars For Sale
    • Sell My Car
    • Dealers
      • Dealer Details
      • Dealer News
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
  • Reviews
  • Marine
    • XPEL Marine Installers
    • Yachts For Sale
  • Lifestyle
    • Aviation
    • Celebrity Cars
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
      • Gear For Sale
    • Real Estate
    • Watches
      • Watches For Sale
  • Magazine
    • In The Pages
    • Issue Previews
    • Shop Issues
    • Subscribe
  • Newsletter
duPont REGISTRY News
  • Car News
    • Aston Martin News
    • Audi News
    • Bentley News
    • BMW News
    • Bugatti News
    • Ferrari News
    • Ford News
    • Jaguar News
    • Koenigsegg News
    • Lamborghini News
    • Land Rover News
    • Lotus News
    • Maserati News
    • McLaren News
    • Mercedes-Benz News
    • Pagani News
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce News
  • Cars For Sale
    • Sell My Car
    • Dealers
      • Dealer Details
      • Dealer News
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
  • Reviews
  • Marine
    • XPEL Marine Installers
    • Yachts For Sale
  • Lifestyle
    • Aviation
    • Celebrity Cars
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
      • Gear For Sale
    • Real Estate
    • Watches
      • Watches For Sale
  • Magazine
    • In The Pages
    • Issue Previews
    • Shop Issues
    • Subscribe
  • Newsletter
logo
No Result
View All Result

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Review: Supple Speed

By combining a 523-hp V6 with a surprisingly plush suspension setup, the Trofeo offers formidable performance with excellent daily usability.

by Gabriel Vega
September 19, 2023
in Grecale, Maserati News, Reviews
DSC08849

When it comes time to build a performance-oriented SUV or crossover, carmakers have an ever-growing toolbox to make them handle well despite their high-riding mass, from infinitely adjustable air springs to active anti-roll bars and even custom-made rubber. The days in which sloppy handling was just something we’d come to expect from tall vehicles with massively powerful engines are way behind us.

However, in pursuing this physics-defying performance, manufacturers often over-stiffen them, almost forgetting where these SUVs will spend most of their time. Sure, it may rip up a back road like a sports car, but what good is that if it shakes your teeth out on the way to the grocery store?

Enter the 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo, a 523-horsepower crossover that finds an often-overlooked sweet spot. Despite the massive output from its MC20-sourced twin-turbo V6, the Trofeo sets aside all-out performance to deliver an exciting but comfortable, balanced driving experience ideal for daily use. It may not be the sharpest tool to carve a canyon but trust me, you wouldn’t want it to be. 

Engine3.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V6
Horsepower523
Torque457
0-603.6 Seconds
Base Price$106,995 (Including Destination Fees)
As-Tested Price$120,095
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

The Trofeo sits at the top of the Grecale food chain, at least until the electric Folgore dethrones it soon. So we’re stuck with only 523 hp and 457 pound-feet from a revised MC20-sourced twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Combined with a quick-shifting eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive, this Nettuno engine propels the Trofeo to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, 120 mph in 12.5 seconds, and up to 177 mph.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

On paper, the hottest Grecale is quicker than a Macan GTS, matches the outgoing Mercedes-AMG GLC63, and falls slightly behind the BMW X3 M Competition, all crossovers with similar power outputs. Does this matter in the real world? Unless you’re planning on drag racing your luxury performance crossover, a two-tenth-second difference is imperceptible where you’d actually drive it. What matters is that the Grecale feels very quick.

Maserati’s 90-degree Nettuno V6 may not be as exotic as the Ferrari-sourced V8 powering the outgoing Levante Trofeo, but it’s perfectly at home under the Grecale’s hood. Its revisions include using a wet sump rather than a dry one and cylinder deactivation, allowing it to temporarily shut off its right bank to increase efficiency. Five drive modes, Comfort, GT, Sport, Race, and Off-Road, adjust its response and sound.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

Turned up in Race mode, the turbo six responds quickly to throttle inputs with a surge of low-end torque. While it’s perfectly happy cruising along at low revs, it quickly comes alive when provoked. Peak power comes in at 6,500 rpm, which, thanks to short gear ratios, is always accessible as you work your way up its eight speeds. 

While powerful, the Nettuno isn’t overly vocal, despite Trofeo’s quad exhaust tips. While you’ll get more of a low-end rumble in Sport and Race modes, it hardly screams as you work your way up the rev range. Instead, it shouts between gear changes with an unmistakable bang as you upshift under load. Lift off slightly, and it quiets down, but everyone will know when you’re on it.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

The Trofeo comes standard with air springs and adaptive shocks, allowing six ride height levels tied to specific drive modes. However, you can independently raise and lower it via a separate menu. Its stiffness, however, is separately controlled by a button mounted on its steering wheel, allowing you to select softer damper settings while retaining full engine performance.

Comfort and GT mode are truly plush, even by non-performance crossover standards. With lightened steering effort and reduced throttle sensitivity, these modes hide the Trofeo’s performance intentions well while remaining a quick cruiser. 

Click up to Sport, the ride height drops and its dampers stiffen, but only slightly. It’s still reasonably comfortable, even with its now weighted steering and sharper throttle response. Step up to Race, and the Trofeo becomes as responsive as possible, but curiously, its suspension is still reasonably compliant.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

On a canyon road, the Grecale Trofeo feels as quick as its competitors as it claws its way out of tight bends thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. Despite its hefty 4,629-pound curb weight, its body motions are well controlled, remaining relatively stable even as you begin to push it. 

Its limits, however, are lower than an equivalent Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, or BMW as it tends to understeer quicker than its rivals. Its steering, although quick, doesn’t transmit much feedback, nor is its front end razor sharp as you turn into a bend, and its six-piston Brembo brakes are easy to overwhelm after back-to-back runs.

That said, you really have to push the Grecale Trofeo to notice these differences. At a leisurely pace, its performance is on par with the competition. You’d need a track or a twisty mountain road to tell them apart.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

Where it excels is on the ride home from a quick drive. Even in Race mode with the dampers in their stiffest setting, the Grecale is still compliant. Road imperfections aren’t immediately transmitted through the cabin, making it easy to forget you’re in the maximum performance mode, to begin with, a trade-off I’d accept in a heartbeat. 

Its excellent suspension calibration couples with the same premium cabin I first encountered in the Modena a few months ago, except it’s improved in the Trofeo with the addition of exposed carbon fiber trim, trim-specific stitching patterns, and more aggressive seats with enhanced side bolsters.

Oddly enough, these chairs are the firmest part of the Trofeo. They offer minimal padding, yet they’re still reasonably comfortable on longer drives, considering they’re the only available option. The rest of the cabin carries over from lower trim levels, including its two horizontal infotainment and control screens and separate digital instrument cluster.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

While I wasn’t a fan of the Levante Trofeo’s interior materials, the Grecale is a massive step in the right direction. Its interior’s quality and build are befitting of a performance crossover starting over six figures, but more on that later.

Although the Grecale is slightly smaller in every dimension than the outgoing Levante, it’s just about the perfect size for most people. There’s plenty of room for adults in its second row and cargo space out back despite its sloping roof. For the average family, the Grecale should tick all the boxes.

Its smaller proportions help it from a visual aspect, too. The Grecale, even in base form, is a good-looking little crossover. It’s elegant, stylish, and not over the top. Yet despite its comparatively restrained exterior, it’s immediately recognizable as a Maserati and as something different than its closest competitors. 

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

The Trofeo builds on this solid base with more aggressive front and rear bumpers, including a massive diffuser flanked by quad exhaust tips. 21-inch wheels come standard with summer tires, although a second set of 21s with a polished two-tone finish is available for an extra $3,100. 

Despite it being the highest-performing trim, for now at least, the Trofeo doesn’t shout that it’s the fast one. Instead, it sets itself apart from the other trim levels with its sharpened details, not losing the stylishness that makes the Grecale appealing overall. 

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

Being a Maserati, the Grecale Trofeo is positioned at a higher price point than its German rivals. Including a $1,495 destination fee, its base price is $106,995. My tester, with its options like its $3,100 Driver Assistance Plus Package, $1,100 Techssistance Package, and $4,200 Premium Plus Package, comes in at $120,095. 

A similarly optioned Porsche Macan GTS comes in a hair below $100,000, while an equally athletic BMW X3 M Competition costs even less. And while the Grecale is slightly larger than these competitors and offers better interior materials, you’ll still pay a premium if you want one on your driveway.

2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo parked in the Angeles National Forest.

Regardless of which brand you look at, most performance carmakers have a quick and capable crossover in their portfolio. They have to at this point. However, while there may be ever-rising benchmarks, fewer options successfully balance all-out performance and everyday comfort. It’s an increasingly overlooked sweet spot.

By focusing on this with its suspension calibration, the Trofeo excels where it matters most: the daily commute. In these scenarios, it’s exciting enough to be interesting without simultaneously pummeling you over bumps. It wouldn’t be my choice for a canyon blast, but for daily use, it’s damn good.

View All Maserati Grecale Trofeos For Sale
Tags: Featured
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

Turquoise Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible sports car with Liquid Crystal Roof on display against an orange gradient background.

2026 Maserati MCPURA Debuts At Goodwood With Liquid Crystal Roof And F1 Tech

by Khris Bharath
July 10, 2025

Maserati has pulled the wraps off its latest flagship at...

The top image shows a Rivian Gen 2 R1S SUV driving through water, while the bottom image features an R1T Quad-Motor pickup truck kicking up sand on a dirt road.

2026 Rivian Gen 2 R1S & R1T Quad-Motor Review: Sleeper Supercars in SUV and Pickup Truck Form

by Michael Van Runkle
July 8, 2025

Instantaneously available electric power allows Rivian’s new Gen 2 Quad-Motor...

Image Source: Maserati

Maserati To Make Global Debut At Goodwood Festival of Speed

by Tyler Rampersaud
July 7, 2025

Maserati is opening a new chapter at this year’s Goodwood...

A yellow Track Review Corvette ZR1, proving 1000 HP doesn’t need a seven-figure price, speeds along a racetrack in front of a modern, multi-story building with large windows and a red barrier.

Track Review: Corvette ZR1 Proves 1,000 HP Doesn’t Need A Seven-Figure Price

by Michael Van Runkle
July 5, 2025

Only one place made sense for Chevrolet to debut the...

Load More

Trending Articles News

  • A person dressed in black stands near a beige building, with a sleek black Lamborghini parked nearby on the concrete—channeling the bold style of JACKBOYS 2 and Travis Scott.

    Travis Scott Gifts $3M In Brand-New Lamborghinis To Artists On His Next “JACKBOYS 2” Album

    71 shares
    Share 28 Tweet 18
  • 2026 Maserati MCPURA Debuts At Goodwood With Liquid Crystal Roof And F1 Tech

    12 shares
    Share 5 Tweet 3
  • This 2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost Is A Collector’s Dream, With Signed Jersey To Match

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • EXP 15: Bentley’s First-Ever EV Concept Breaks Cover

    30 shares
    Share 12 Tweet 8
  • Porsche Unveils Three New 911 Variants

    525 shares
    Share 210 Tweet 131
  • 10 Mid-Engine American Concept Cars That Pushed The Envelope Of Performance

    163 shares
    Share 65 Tweet 41
duPont REGISTRY
duPont REGISTRY
  • About Us
  • Site Map
  • Subscriptions
  • Buy
  • Sell
  • News
  • Dealers
Account
  • Login
  • Dealers Sign In
duPont REGISTRY Group
  • duPont REGISTRY
  • Petrolicious
  • Sotheby’s Motorsport
  • Ferrarichat
  • Canossa
  • Cavallino
  • Supercar Owners Circle
Contact Us
  • Insurance +1-833-738-7668
  • Contact Support
  • Toll Free +1 800 233 1731
  • International +1 727 573 9339
  • 5972 NE 4th Avenue Miami, FL 33137 USA
  • Email
    media@dupontregistry.com
© 2025 DRIVEN LIFESTYLE. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Buy
  • Sell
  • Dealers
No Result
View All Result
  • Cars For Sale
    • Sell My Car
    • Dealers
      • Dealer Details
      • Dealer News
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
  • Car News
    • Aston Martin News
    • Audi News
    • Bentley News
    • BMW News
    • Bugatti News
    • Ferrari News
    • Ford News
    • Jaguar News
    • Koenigsegg News
    • Lamborghini News
    • Land Rover News
    • Lotus News
    • Maserati News
    • McLaren News
    • Mercedes-Benz News
    • Pagani News
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce News
  • Reviews
  • Marine
    • XPEL Marine Installers
    • Yachts For Sale
  • Lifestyle
    • Aviation
    • Celebrity Cars
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
      • Gear For Sale
    • Real Estate
    • Watches
      • Watch News
      • Watches For Sale
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Issue Previews
    • In The Pages
    • Shop Issues
  • NEW CARS
  • Finance
  • Insurance
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 duPont REGISTRY.

No Result
View All Result
  • Cars For Sale
    • Sell My Car
    • Dealers
      • Dealer Details
      • Dealer News
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
  • Car News
    • Aston Martin News
    • Audi News
    • Bentley News
    • BMW News
    • Bugatti News
    • Ferrari News
    • Ford News
    • Jaguar News
    • Koenigsegg News
    • Lamborghini News
    • Land Rover News
    • Lotus News
    • Maserati News
    • McLaren News
    • Mercedes-Benz News
    • Pagani News
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce News
  • Reviews
  • Marine
    • XPEL Marine Installers
    • Yachts For Sale
  • Lifestyle
    • Aviation
    • Celebrity Cars
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
      • Gear For Sale
    • Real Estate
    • Watches
      • Watch News
      • Watches For Sale
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Issue Previews
    • In The Pages
    • Shop Issues
  • NEW CARS
  • Finance
  • Insurance
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 duPont REGISTRY.