Maserati Grecale Folgore review

April 25, 2025 Matt Allan

We find out if this famous Italian sports car maker can compete in the premium electric SUV segment with the Grecale Folgore

At that start of 2024, Maserati announced it would have EV versions of all its cars by 2025 and be an all-electric brand by 2028.

Recent developments have thrown a question mark over that, with the MC20 Folgore killed off and hints that there might be hybrid powertrains in the brand’s future.

But the Italian performance brand is still ahead of some marques, and each model in its current three-car line-up does feature an EV option. There’s the twin set of GranTurismo and GranCabrio Folgore, along with this, the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

The Grecale Folgore was the brand’s first EV and sits above V6 petrol variants in the D-SUV range. It’s facing capable rivals such as the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric and Genesis GV70, which means it has to deliver on Maserati’s claim of the ‘exceptional every day’. But can it manage that?

Maserati Grecale Folgore design, interior and technology

Maserati makes some truly spectacular looking cars but the Grecale isn’t one of them. The massive concave grille and traditional three wing vents mark this out as a Maserati to those in the know but behind those defining features it’s all just a bit anonymous. Viewed from the back, it could be any of a number of big, slightly sporty SUVs.

The interior has a little more character to separate it from its rivals. The chrome-effect grille running the width of the dashboard, and the LCD analogue clock mounted above the infotainment screen are neat unique touches. There’s a high-quality leather finish to the doors, dash and seats that match the Grecale’s luxury positioning and the Folgore comes with a unique carbon/copper weave finish to the centre console. Our test car was let down by a poor finish to this that left a finger-slicing thread of copper wire sticking out of the centre console. Not the sort of quality control you expect for £100,000.

maserati grecale folgore interior image — The Grecale Folgore’s interior features premium materials but an outdated infotainment system and poor quality control

On the tech front, the Grecale packs a head-up display, 12.3-inch configurable digital dials and offers wireless smartphone mirroring alongside Maserati’s own infotainment interface. While the Apple and Android integration works well, the 12.3-inch infotainment system has a sluggish, ugly interface in a cheap-looking surround. It’s a weakness in all of Maserati’s cars and has been for quite some time.

What the Grecale lacks in user-friendliness, it makes up for in practicality. At 4.8m long and with a 2.9m wheelbase it’s a proper five-seat SUV and there’s generous space front and rear for passengers. There’s also 535 litres of boot space, accessed by a powered tailgate.

Battery, motor and performance

The Maserati Grecale Folgore’s technical numbers are all pretty big. There’s a 105kWh battery squeezed beneath the floor, supplying energy to two 205kW motors. That translates to 550bhp, 605lb ft and a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds.

That’s plenty punchy enough, although it perhaps doesn’t feel quite as potent in action as the on-paper numbers suggest. Nonetheless, the Grecale picks up pace without hesitation and the throttle and brake pedals have a confidence-inspiring linearity and balance. The gear paddles from the V6 model remain and control the variable regenerative braking, which remains predictable whichever mode you choose.

maserati grecale folgore driving image — The Grecale Folgore is direct and responsive but lacks feedback

Our pre-set test route didn’t help showcase the Grecale to the best of its abilities but what we could glean suggested a direct but slightly numb driving experience. The steering is quick but not snatchy and, like the pedals, has a reassuring linear feel. You can make keen progress, knowing it’s doing what you ask when you ask, but there’s not much communication the other way.

You are also always aware of the Grecale Folgore’s 2.5-tonne kerbweight in the way it ploughs between corners rather than dancing. Not helping is the ride which in Sport mode is unyielding, verging on the actively unpleasant. At any speed it’s jittery and edgy but thankfully you can deactivate the sport suspension setting and keep the sharper throttle and steering.

Despite its massive power, the Grecale returns an official range of 310 miles – plenty for most uses but some way shy of key competitors who claim 350 miles or more. While it lacks the ultra-rapid charging of the GranTurismo, the Grecale Folgore’s 150kW DC rate is enough to get you from 20-80% in half an hour.

Maserati Grecale Folgore price and specification

Rather than offer the multiple trim levels of the V6 version, there’s just one specification of the electric Grecale, badged Grecale Folgore and priced from £99,175.

As standard, that gets 20-inch alloy wheels, painted brake calipers, full LED lights and air suspension. Heated, ventilated seats finished in leather, three-zone climate control and a Sonos Faber premium sound system are also standard along with keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera.

Our test car was weighed down by a hefty options list that included £3,240 for that vicious copper/carbon trim, and £1,755 for a tech pack that bundled a head-up display, IR protection windscreen, wearable key and hands-free tailgate together. That took its final price to just around £106,500.

Rival cars are similarly priced – the SQ6 starts at £93,000 and the Macan Electric Turbo is £96k – but the Grecale’s specification and options structure is baffling. There are options that would be standard in cars half its price, as well as paid-for elements that feel out of place in such an expensive model.

Verdict

Maserati says it is going all-electric by 2028 and, at the pinnacle of the range, the GranTurismo is a brilliant flagship for that ambition. The Grecale, though, is not so convincing. It’s not a bad car, but nor does it feel special enough to warrant a six-figure price tag.

My recently-departed fully-loaded Genesis GV70 was £29,000 cheaper, more comfortable, virtually as quick to 62mph and felt better built. The Maserati has it beaten on badge cachet, handling and range, but is that really worth nearly £30,000? I’m not sure it is.