2023 Maserati Grecale | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #420

2023 Maserati Grecale | Talking Cars With Consumer Reports #420 1

More info on the 2023 Maserati Grecale here:

Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests:

Maserati’s first entry into the vibrant luxury small SUV segment is the all-new 2023 Grecale, which is meant to compete with many desirable models including the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The 2023 Maserati Grecale GT we bought for CR's auto test program promises high-performance flair by combining potent powerplants and an air of exclusivity. We discuss whether or not the Grecale's sporty handling, modern cabin, and Italian glamour will help to distinguish it from its rivals.

SHOW NOTES
———————————–
00:00 – Introduction
00:15 – First Impressions: 2023 Maserati Grecale GT
02:33 – What is Maserati?
05:10 – Maserati’s Reliability
08:48 – Which segment does the Grecale fit in?
11:29 – Controls
12:09 – Know what you’re getting into
12:45 – Functionality
13:42 – Driving Dynamics
14:57 – Competitors
18:43 – Question: When selling a used car is it better to sell privately or use a service like CarMax or Carvana?

———————————-  
Preview: 2023 Maserati Grecale Promises Elegance and Performance

2023 Maserati Grecale

Hot, New Electric Cars That Are Coming Soon

Car Safety Guide

———————————–
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts!

Video version: 

Audio version: 

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at 

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: 

26 Comments on "2023 Maserati Grecale | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #420"

  1. The Trident 🔱 unfortunately is just not worth it today here is the USA

  2. MANDEEP SANDHU | July 12, 2023 at 3:31 PM |

    I hope reliability improves on these!

    • Chezzyperson 33 | July 12, 2023 at 4:42 PM |

      Then get a Macan

    • Nathaniel Rudolph | July 12, 2023 at 6:01 PM |

      1.) there’s nothing wrong with the reliability of a Maserati. you listen to too much of these people. This is a first year of a all new car. Whatever is happening is NORMAL, not a reliability concern. All cars have first year issues.

  3. J Michael Williams, DBA | July 12, 2023 at 3:32 PM |

    I always like watching different reviews on vehicles, particularly one that I love, which is Maserati. Anyone that buys Maserati, not just for the name, knows what they are buying and what the journey will be. I have owned 2 Ghiblis, 3 Levantes, and now have the Grecale. Only one of the Ghiblis ever had to go into the shape for a component failing (electrical); all other Maserati’s owned had zero issues. My only grip over the years was that Maserati didn’t push the technology boundaries dollar-for-dollar when compared to Porsche.

    It took about 2 days for me to get adjusted to the technology of the Grecale because it was a significant step from previous Maseratis, but now the muscle memory has kicked in, and I can even interact with the touch screen without thinking about it. In what I call modern-day SUVs, they always say SUV/Wagon. SUVs of today are not built on the same platforms that they used to be (truck platforms). It is about 6 inches shorter than the Levante, about 45 horsepower (base) from the Levante, and while I was concerned I would miss the extra push of the V6, I can honestly say I haven’t. The growl is not as intense as the Levante, but I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be also, the interior sounds are much more polite and gentle even though this still takes some adjusting; I welcome it over the intense lane departure sounds you got from previous generations that would scare you straight.

    Also, Maserati’s key focus with the Grecale was the Porsche Macan, you can make the case for I being a competitor to the X3 or the Audi A5 based on vehicle class, but they were not the focus of Maserati. Maserati has always been transparent about the competitor for this vehicle. Maserati Intelligence Assistance (MIA) based on UConnect is a welcome change because it strikes a balance between functionality and features without going overboard and being non-intuitive, like the current iteration of MBUX. Let’s not forget that UConnect is still praised as being one of the most stable systems around. Now if they started adding anything beyond whats currently available, then I would say they are going overboard and need to dial it back. There are no overcomplicated menus with multiple layers that are not just intuitive. Everything is where you would expect it to be, and no more than 1-2 layers down from the top screen.

  4. What went wrong with the Grecale? I was hoping they would address that

  5. 0:43 wait. The Italian Luxury vehicle was having reliability issues. Im shocked. (No, im not)

  6. InternetDude | July 12, 2023 at 4:25 PM |

    So is it unreliable, I couldn’t tell? LOL !!! The reason I have a Toyota and Lexus in the garage, no regrets. Rent/lease a Maserati but have another car in the garage!!

  7. The fact that it looks like a 2018 Kia Sportage will kill sales.

  8. David Weber | July 12, 2023 at 5:09 PM |

    Seems like for a little more money people should go for the Alfa Stelvio Q4, especially since Alfa is enjoying better reliability than it ever has in its past.

    • J Michael Williams, DBA | July 14, 2023 at 2:54 PM |

      It’s a year one vehicle. It’s built in the same factory on the same platform as the Stelvio. The Georgio Platform is used in the Grand Cherokee, Stelvio, Tonale and now the Grecale.

  9. HereIgoAgain | July 12, 2023 at 5:11 PM |

    … but for the money there are better choices. Huge red flag is that Keith would lease it given his fetish for quirky European cars. 🙂

  10. As the panel commented, the German alternatives are better. The Maserati is a “lease only” and that’s assuming you’re close to a dealer. Otherwise, mildly interesting, but irrelevant in the car market.

  11. Richard2003 | July 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM |

    Car Max twice paid me more on my cars than the dealers would give me.

  12. Isn’t CarMax and Carvana both filing for bankruptcy? Would never sell my used car to any “dealership” who would low ball me, so that THEY can turn a bigger profit when THEY sell the vehicle!

  13. Josué Elombre | July 12, 2023 at 6:23 PM |

    No one buys an Italian car expecting it to be a Toyota. Just like no one buys a Toyota expecting it to be a sporty engaging drive.

    • The Toyota will be more reliable and have better resale, while being boring. The Italian car to be more fun to drive and less reliable, but that’s the trade off.

    • Kartikeya Parekh | July 16, 2023 at 10:54 AM |

      I dont know what you’re talking about Toyota has GR corolla, GR Yaris, and GR86/BRZ (subaru made), Lexus IS 500F, 350F, Lexus LC500, RX350 F Sport.

  14. Michael Bikle | July 13, 2023 at 2:35 AM |

    Sold my parents 16’ RAV4 hybrid with 20k miles for $30k last year to Mercedes. Lowball offer(s) for $23k from Toyota.. It was $35k new!

  15. Selling a used cars can be hit or miss. I have sold a few private party. Only one via trade in. At the end of the day i suggest determining the real value (as in realistically based on the actual condition not what you want it to be) of the car private party. Thern determine how much time and costs you will incure trying to sell it (e.g., time to list and communicate with people, test drives, etc) and what repairs and maintenance you will need to do to make it sellable for that value you attribute to it (e.g., car washes, detailing, gas, insurance payments, repairs/maintenance items – such as brakes, tires, fluid changes, timing belt/chain service, water pump etc). Then you can figure out the value of each and decide whats best for you. Just going…. i want it gone is gonna get you ripped off. Dealer initially offered me 15k for my vehicle. I got them to 19.1k in 30 minutes. I probably had around 900$ in costs to get it sold and it may have sold for around 22k. Given the investment in time (I estimated 1-2 working days) and effort i decided to trade it in but you have to decide how much your time is worth.

  16. Remy Medranda | July 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM |

    You guys need to check out the Primaserie trim, what an epic car!!

  17. My Grecale is 3 months old and it’s been to the dealer twice. The first visit it was there for 37 days and the second visit is in progress and it’s been there for 40 days and counting.
    I completely agree with the noises it makes. Some sound very 80’s. It’s a fun car but over time, the little strange things including a few that they mentioned become irritating.

    • Quix Omega | July 15, 2023 at 1:11 PM |

      Waiting over a month for service is terrible. You’d think a luxury brand would have higher standards.

  18. Surprised they tested a Maserati. How many people who read CR actually look at the brand? I guess they do this because they do (on occasion) test the expensive German cars which are purchased more frequently. Too bad all Italian cars are never reliable. I don’t think anyone has thought that.

  19. My ex who I am still friendly with bought the Modena trim…zero issues…has had it a bit over 4 months.

  20. Maestro Wenarto | July 17, 2023 at 11:00 PM |

    I love my car, I bought it a month ago….it is far superior than Mercedes and BMW

Comments are closed.