Maserati is preparing to shift its EV ambitions into high gear with models like the recently announced GranCabrio Folgore attempting to make EVs stylish options for buyers willing to make the plunge. However, Maserati also knows that its ICE models will ultimately provide the fuel needed for these EV offerings to expand and cement themselves in the marketplace. Maserati recently allowed us to spend time with both the Quattroporte and the Grecale Trofeo models to not only show us what they bring to the table, but how they will help secure Maserati’s future.
2023 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo
The 2023 Maserati Quattroporte is starting to show its age somewhat but despite that, it’s still one of the most stylish flagship sedans in the segment. The front end still gets a face that’s composed but still featuring enough muscular overtones baked into the design to help prevent it from feeling like it’s too frumpy. The side profile is purposeful and it leads the eye to the rear which gets stylish taillights. Trofeo models get red-tinged badging and bigger wheels with large quad exhaust tips being nestled into the reworked rear bumper.
Meanwhile, the interior of our tester featured plenty of high-end materials with the leather sport seats delivering commendable amounts of support and comfort while the rest of the cabin gets genuine carbon fiber and wood accents with silk even being used in a few areas. However, the bespoke appointments are balanced out by poor button choices for some of the controls with many of the buttons and dials also seeing duty in lesser Stellantis products. The window controls for example also did cameo roles in the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.
The backseat experience in the Quattroporte also comes up short against many of its rivals with room back there being tight for taller passengers especially with the front seats moved back to accommodate taller passengers. There is an optional Rear Executive Seat package available that allows the rear seats to recline but our tester did not have this particular setup and after sitting in a separate Quattroporte with the feature later on, we discovered that the space was still tight. In addition to the cramped quarters, the Trofeo’s age also kept our tester from matching some of the rearward amenities offered by rivals. There’s no rear charging ports to be found and other than button controls for the heated rear seats and the window shades, there’s not much else here. Oh and did we forget to mention that this is a $150,000 plus flagship sedan?
However, look past the exterior’s age and the interior’s quirks and the Quattroporte’s performance hardware emerges as the star of the show. V6 engines make up the bulk of the Quattroporte’s engine lineup but the Trofeo is still the lone exception to the rule with these models getting a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 that makes 572-hp and is mated to an eight-speed automatic. The engine in our tester delivered strong acceleration but buyers looking to add it to their Trofeo purchase will need to act quickly, 2023 is the last model year it will be available with 2024 models getting a new V6 that sends the V8 out to pasture.
2024 Maserati Grecale Trofeo
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the 2024 Maserati Grecale. The Grecale is Maserati’s newest SUV entry and is supposed to help the company expand its reach in the SUV segment where it will be sold alongside the bigger Levante. The Grecale is the new gateway model for the brand and will compete against rivals like the Porsche Macan in the SUV wars.
The exterior styling of the Grecale gets some of its core inspiration from the bigger Levante but Maserati designers did a good job of fully utilizing the Grevale’s smaller dimensions to help craft an attractive suit of clothes. The front fascia is stylish and includes a slick set of LED headlights with the tidy front grille sharing its core shape with other Maserati models. The side profile here leads out to the rear and while that particular aspect of the Grecale is where the look falls short, it’s also typical of other SUVs in its segment including its chief rival the Porsche Macan. Buyers looking for a more assertive canvas will have to go for a range-topping Trofeo model like our tester. These models get bigger 21-inch wheels and other styling enhancements to drive home the point that it’s the performance-focused member of the Grecale family.
The interior of the Grecale Trofoe incorporates plenty of high-end materials into its design and we liked how supportive the 14-way power seats were when we took our tester on spirited drives. While Maserati needs to work on where they get their fake carbon fiber trim from (it looks nothing like the real thing) the Grecale makes up for it by offering a strong suite of tech. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard and the center of the dash gets two screens with a matching 12.3-inch screen doing formal infotainment duties while the climate control system is managed by a smaller 8.8-inch screen. The rear seats are pretty roomy for what they are but we recommend folding them down to take full advantage of the flat cargo floor and the enhanced levels of space you get.
Performance for the 2024 Grecale model lineup comes from a pair of engines with lesser models getting a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that can also be equipped as a hybrid. Buyers looking for more performance will have to go to the Trofeo model which gets a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that makes 523 horsepower and is mated to an eight-speed automatic. This engine also sees duty in the MC20 supercar and other Maserati models but here in the Grecale it’s detuned slightly to help it work with the all-wheel drive system.
This engine makes the Grecale fun to drive but we actually preferred to keep our tester in Sport mode versus the all-out Corsa mode since the suspension tuning in Corsa is too hard and firm for most roads. The Trofeo’s 19/17/23 mpg in city/freeway/combined driving is also less than what rivals get. Pricing reflects the Trofeo’s segment, with our tester having a final as-tested price of just over $109,000.
Look for the Grecale in particular to solidify its place in Maserati’s sales figures over the next few years with the SUV also getting a Flogore model of its own to bring it to the EV ranks. With Porsche deciding to make the Macan an all-electric offering recently, the Folgore will be a serious rival with the ICE models helping to cover volume sales.
When looked at as a whole, both the 2023 Maserati Quattrporte and the 2024 Grecale Trofeos are playing vital roles in Maserati’s sales story. The Grecale is shooting for SUV sales glory and is attempting to bring Maserati into a larger pool of customers. The Quattroporte on the other hand is trying to remind customer’s of the company’s past and look for the next generation model to finally get the updates that it deserves as it possibly becomes an EV-only offering.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.