Maserati Grecale Folgore 2024 Review – International

Full local pricing and specs for the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore will be released closer to its November launch, but we have it on good authority it will be positioned above the equivalent all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo EV (from $180,100), with pricing set to kick off at around $200,000 plus on-road costs.

The Folgore will command a significant premium over the combustion-powered Grecale variants – the current range-topping Grecale Trofeo starting from $165,000 – although Maserati promises the EV will have lots of appeal with a generous specification.

Once launched, the flagship dual-motor Folgore will be joined by lower-powered EV variants that will be aimed at the entry-level Macan 4 EV (from $133,700) and others in the fast-growing battery-electric premium mid-size SUV class.

At around $200,000, the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore shouldn’t give you too many reasons to splash even more cash on costly options, although many owners will be tempted by the special Fuoriserie premium paint and unique cabin finishes.

Without full specifications locked in for the all-electric Maserati SUV, we’ll have to use the combustion-powered Grecale as a guide.

It’s a safe bet to assume our cars should ride on large wheels (minimum 20-inch), use advanced LED headlights and tail-lights, and, inside, come with three-zone climate control, a 14-speaker premium sound system, 14-way adjustable sports front seats (with heating), and much more.

There’s likely to be vegan-friendly Econyl seat coverings made from reclaimed fishing nets rescued from the ocean, although traditional leather hide will be available.

Another bonus is a free Maserati-branded wallbox for owners to efficiently charge at home.

With all that said, even at the current top-spec Trofeo grade Maserati has bundled key features into extra-charge packs such as Tech Assistance and ADAS Level 2, so the jury remains out on whether the Folgore follows suits. We hope not.

The Maserati Grecale is backed by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia – less generous than most rivals – while details specific to Folgore such as battery warranty and servicing are yet to be announced.

The 2024 Maserati Grecale hasn’t been officially crash tested by Euro NCAP or its Australian equivalent ANCAP, but does get as standard adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian recognition, active lane management, rear cross traffic alert and drowsy driver detection.

There’s also a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring, plus full airbag coverage.

Currently, buyers after speed sign recognition and an adaptive speed limiter need to part with an additional $7050 for the optional ADAS Level 2 pack, but it remains to be seen whether these safety features will be standard fare on the Folgore EV.

The 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore is among the best in its premium mid-size SUV class when it comes to tech.

What’s more, we think buyers will appreciate just how intuitive and easy the technology is to use on an everyday basis.

Gone are the days when Maserati shared outdated infotainment from cheaper Chrysler, Jeep or Fiat models.

In the Folgore, the driver is greeted by twin 12.3-inch screens, with the central touch-screen offering high levels of connectivity and the latest smartphone mirroring.

It combines with a powerful 14-speaker Sonus Faber Premium Sound system, while underneath the main screen is a separate 8.8-inch ‘comfort screen’ that displays climate control functions.

Additionally, Maserati has packaged its P-R-N-D gear selectors into the centre fascia, liberating more storage space in the traditional centre console location.

Beneath the skin, the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore comes with two electric motors that drive each axle and, individually, produce around 205kW a pop.

Combined, Maserati claims the total output of its dual-motor powertrain is 410kW and 820Nm of torque.

Those generous figures are easily enough to shrug off the mid-size SUV’s substantial 2480kg kerb weight to help it launch from 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 220km/h.

In isolation, the Grecale Folgore feels plenty quick enough but the cheaper Porsche Macan Turbo is in another league when it comes to acceleration, taking just 3.3sec to hit 100km/h from rest and topping out at a limited 260km/h.

The 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore draws energy from a 96kWh (useable) lithium-ion battery that’s claimed to offer a WLTP-verified driving range of 501km.

It’s also claimed to consume energy at a rate of 24.0kWh/100km.

By comparison, the Porsche Macan Turbo can cover up to 591km on the same-sized battery and is more efficient while doing so, averaging up to 18.8kWh/100km.

While the Porsche boasts an 800V electrical architecture that allows for DC charging at up to 270kW, the Grecale Folgore’s 400V system limits top-ups to just 150kW.

As a result, the battery can be replenished from 20 to 80 per cent in a claimed 29 minutes, compared to the 21min it takes for the Macan Turbo (10-80%).

Clawing back an advantage, the Maserati can be AC charged at a rate of up to 22kW – much higher than the Porsche’s 11kW figure; engineers we spoke to said most owners will shun fast-chargers to charge at home on a daily basis.

Maserati engineers claim a no-compromise approach has been taken during the development of the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore.

And, indeed, the EV’s Giorgio platform – as seen on the combustion-powered Alfa Giulia and Stelvio – certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to chassis hardware.

There’s double-wishbone suspension up front and a sophisticated multi-link arrangement at the rear, while both air springs and adaptive dampers come standard.

The only thing missing, compared to its chief German rival, is the Macan EV gets more sophisticated twin-valve active dampers, an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering.

The Porsche is also around 80kg lighter, but when you’re dealing with a kerb weight in excess of 2.4 tonnes, that’s largely academic.

Behind the wheel of the electric Grecale, the driver is offered four driving modes – GT, Max Range, Off-road and Sport – which are selected via a neat rotary dial on the steering wheel.

We suspect few will use the Off-road mode, but it is useful as it raises the body by around 20mm, lifting it away from brushes with tree roots or rocky terrain if owners ever stray from paved roads.

Regen, meanwhile, can be varied via steering wheel paddles.

Select Drive and the Grecale Folgore launches off the line with real conviction, even in the default GT mode.

Some drivers and occupants might actually feel the instant torque reaction of the dual-motor powertrain is a little too strong. We found reducing the regenerative braking to zero smooths things out.

From then on, the pace is effortless and the punch offered with acceleration impressive well into three-figure speeds.

Not so impressive is the ride and handling balance. The Grecale Folgore is neither that comfortable nor that sporting.

There’s far too much vertical movement, especially in the Sport damper mode – and that was on the well-surfaced Italian roads we drove on, which doesn’t bode well for typically poorer Australian conditions.

Ramp up the pace and the Maserati mid-sizer also doesn’t offer that much fun.

There’s lots of body roll, and although grip levels are high and the steering precise, the Grecale EV feels like a bit of a blunt object – especially when on slippery roads we witnessed the front wheels spin up as it struggled to deploy its might, adding unwanted tugging at the tiller.

We’ve only experienced the Macan Turbo EV from the front passenger seat, but the Porsche felt far more agile without suffering a worse ride – but we’ll reserve final judgement until later.

Early in the day a slippery stretch of road also revealed both torque-steer and some front tyre scrabble in slower corners, even though the Maserati is shod with some generous rubber (255/40 front, 295/35 rear).

Wind the pace back and, aside from plenty of suspension noise and an occasionally unsettled ride, the Grecale Folgore proves to be a fast and quiet car – except when it’s artificially piping its futuristic soundtrack into the cabin via the powerful sound system.

Like the recently-launched Abarth 500e, Maserati has created a soundscape for the flagship Grecale, placing two exterior loudspeakers where the rear exhaust silencers would live on the petrol versions, and another up front behind the bumper.

Unlike the Abarth 500e the actual noise emitted isn’t obnoxious. The sound builds as you accelerate and attempts neither to replicate a V6 or V8 nor some dystopian sci-fi movie score.

That said, we still preferred the system silent – although it’s impossible to turn the rear speakers off, something that could be addressed by an over-the-air update.

Clawing back some points for the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore is the fact that, just like the rest of the range, it feels special inside in a way the more sober Porsche Macan EV just doesn’t.

We’re also glad the design team went with a more contemporary look rather than stuffing the cabin full of old wood and leather that used to define Maserati cars.

We even like the recycled Econyl as an alternative to leather, while the copper highlights brighten up cabin.

What we’re not convinced by is the digital carriage clock, but the easy functionality of all the tech and the added practicality of a centre storage console area without a gear lever all deserve praise.

Thanks to an 80mm-longer wheelbase compared to the Stelvio, cabin space is decent across both rows of seating, with enough room for two adults in the second row.

To ensure the large battery (which is 400mm thick) doesn’t steal space from occupants, the power pack is mounted below the floor between the axles. The modules are also stacked above one another beneath the rear seat to provide the final 96kWh energy density.

The bulky wiring harness and ECUs, meanwhile, are packaged within the redundant transmission tunnel.

Boot space is decent at around 535 litres – but it is annoying that there’s no spare wheel and some of that space will be taken up by the AC charger cable, since Maserati has not equipped the Grecale Folgore with a frunk.

The 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore was originally expected to arrive in Australia towards the end of last year, but subsequent delays have meant its revised launch late this year coincides with the Porsche Macan EV.

That’s bad news for the Italian. On paper, the electric Macan Turbo is quicker, has a longer range and is faster to charge. We also fear, with even more chassis tech and an all-new dedicated architecture, the Porsche will be better to drive too.

We think it’s a missed opportunity that Maserati engineers didn’t aim for ultimate comfort while developing the Grecale Folgore because it feels compromised. It’s also a shame they didn’t lift more of the GranTurismo EV’s advanced technology.

As it stands, we still think the Maserati Grecale Folgore deserves to be a success.

For most owners, who will routinely home-charge, it will be quick to top-up, while in the design stakes many will prefer its looks, cabin design and distinctive character.

It’s just a shame that after pulling out all stops for its fast and glamourous electric GranTurismo GT, the Italian brand couldn’t do the same for its volume-selling battery-powered Grecale SUV.

2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore at a glance:
Price: From $200,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: November 2024
Powertrain: Dual permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 410kW/820Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 96.0kWh lithium-ion
Range: 501km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 24.0kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested