The 2027 Maserati Grecale Bets Everything on Twin-Turbo V6 Muscle—and It Might Actually Work

Maserati just bet hard that buyers who can afford a $100K-plus SUV care more about being different than being rational. The refreshed 2027 Grecale doubles down on the twin-turbo V6 formula, ditches most of the interior buttons in favor of touchscreens, and wraps it all in sharper bodywork inspired by the MCPURA supercar. It’s a compact crossover that refuses to play it safe—and frankly, in a market drowning in anonymous German crossovers, that’s refreshing.

Turbo Power and the Right Kind of Exclusivity

Let’s start with what matters: the engine. The base Grecale V6 and Modena V6 both pack a 385-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, good for a claimed 0–60 time of 5.0 seconds. Step up to the Trofeo, and Maserati cranks things up to 523 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque—enough to hit 60 in just 3.6 seconds and top out at 177 mph. That puts the Trofeo in the same performance ballpark as the Porsche Macan GTS, which hit 3.7 seconds in testing, except the Maserati trades some steering feel for more exotic curb appeal.

The real story here isn’t raw power—it’s positioning. The Grecale isn’t stalking the Audi Q5 or Mercedes-Benz GLC300 crowd. It’s built for buyers eyeing the Audi SQ5 and Mercedes-AMG GLC but bored senseless by German pragmatism. You’re paying the performance-luxury premium, sure, but you’re getting something nobody else on the block will own. That exclusivity matters, and Maserati knows it.

Handling That Doesn’t Quite Stick the Landing

Here’s where the optimism cracks a little. The Grecale’s handling is genuinely spry and confident—the chassis is athletic, and exploiting that athleticism is easy enough. But the steering feels numb, like Maserati left some of the feedback on the bench. In Comfort mode, the optional air-spring suspension delivers a pillowy ride that’s genuinely pleasant. Switch to Corsa mode, though, and things get teeth-grindingly stiff; the ride quality suffers enough to make you question whether that dial was worth twisting.

It’s a compromise that reveals the Grecale’s identity crisis: it wants to be a proper performance machine, but it’s also selling luxury and refinement. The Porsche Macan threads that needle better, which is probably why Porsche owners sleep better at night. Still, for buyers who care less about ultimate driver engagement and more about standing out at the country club, the Grecale’s handling is more than sufficient.

Interior: Fancy Materials Meet Touchscreen Overload

The cabin gets a legitimate refresh for 2027. Maserati has swapped in a new multi-function steering wheel (offered in leather and Alcantara), updated the digital clock with real metal and glass details, and replaced that gaggle of interior buttons with a pair of touchscreens—a 12.3-inch main screen and an 8.8-inch secondary display below it. There’s also a 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster. Rich materials throughout, including Sonus Faber audio (14 speakers standard, 21 speakers optional), give the space a genuinely premium feel.

The infotainment system runs on a Google-based platform with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus voice integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Three-zone climate control and a head-up display are optional. Cargo space is honest if unspectacular: 20 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to a reasonable hauling area with the seats folded. The second row has adequate space for average-sized passengers, though a three-across situation gets tight.

The EV Alternative Nobody Asked For (But It Exists)

For 2027, Maserati is also refreshing the all-electric Grecale Folgore, which pairs a 105 kWh battery with dual electric motors producing 542 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. It’ll hit 60 in 4 seconds—only half a second slower than the Trofeo—and manages a 137 mph top speed. It’s a legitimate option for buyers who want Maserati’s badge without the gas engine, though reviewers and dealers have noted pricing concerns that make the EV version feel like an afterthought rather than a full alternative.

Safety, Warranty, and the Price Reality

Maserati equipped all 2027 Grecales with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist as standard. An optional Level 2 ADAS package adds lane-centering, intersection collision avoidance, and traffic-sign recognition, along with a new drowsiness-detection system. The warranty is competitive for the segment—four years or 50,000 miles for both limited and powertrain coverage—but unlike BMW, Maserati doesn’t throw in complimentary maintenance, which stings at this price point.

On fuel economy, EPA estimates put the gasoline models at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. That’s roughly what you’d expect from a turbocharged performance crossover, and it’s notably better than some competitors manage. The Grecale can also tow 5,516 pounds, outperforming the Macan’s 4,409-pound capacity—a practical edge that deserves mention.

The Bottom Line: Exclusivity Over Perfection

The 2027 Maserati Grecale isn’t going to convince anyone that it’s the objectively best compact performance crossover. The steering is softer than idealists want, the price commands real money, and you’re absolutely paying for the badge. But that badge matters if you’re the kind of person who’d rather be noticed than validated. The twin-turbo V6 is genuinely potent, the cabin materials are rich enough to justify the cost, and the overall experience—while not transcendent—is thoroughly competent.

In a market oversaturated with German competence-by-committee, a refreshed Grecale that leans into personality and exclusivity feels like a genuine breath of fresh air. It’s not perfect, but it’s interesting. And in 2027, that’s worth more than most premium buyers realize.

Sources: Car and Driver · Carscoops