• A decent choice of powerful engines
• Responsive and good to drive
• All sound suitably sporty

Petrol engines

Buyers have a choice of three petrol engines. Two 2.0-litre four cylinders and a V6. The cheapest Grecale GT gets a tuned version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid unit used in the Maserati Ghibli. It produces 300hp and gives the SUV a 0–62mph time of 5.6 seconds. The Modena is the next step up. It packs a 330hp version of the same engine, which reduces the SUV’s 0–62mph time to 5.3 seconds.

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Despite the performance available, the four-cylinder engines are reasonably efficient. Fuel consumption officially stands between 30.7 and 32.4mpg depending on the trim. However during our time with the car we failed to achieve more than 25mpg. This puts it on par with the cheapest Porsche Macan, but less sporting rivals can offer up much stronger numbers.

The Grecale Trofeo is the most potent variant in the line-up. It features a detuned version of the Ferrari-developed 3.0-litre V6 engine used in the Maserati MC20. In the SUV the unit produces 530hp rather than the 630hp you get in the supercar, but rest assured it’s still enough poke to get the Grecale from 0–62mph in 3.8 seconds – that’s almost a second quicker than the flagship version of the Porsche Macan. The Trofeo has a top speed of 177mph, making it the fastest vehicle in its class.

What’s it like to drive?

• Sharp steering is very unlike an SUV
• Fastest models are hugely quick
• Surprisingly impressive motorway refinement

The Trofeo is quick enough to join the ranks of super SUVs. Truth be told, the figures above don’t really convey the potency of the acceleration, which is capable of leaving even the range-topping 580hp Levante V8 standing when the lights turn green. Keep the accelerator floored, and the Grecale Trofeo will roar from 0-125mph in just 13.8 seconds – matching the more overtly sporting Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

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The 2.0-litre engines are significantly slower, but they’re surprisingly characterful. They rev keenly and little burps from the exhaust keep the aural delights coming. They’re certainly sweeter than the lacklustre 2.0-litre in the Macan. We’d recommend the GT as the Modena’s extra 30hp isn’t really noticeable.

The Grecale features sophisticated multilink suspension, with adaptive dampers and optional air suspension. Low speed ride is pretty firm no matter how you spec it, with cars on 21-inch wheels feeling more brittle than those on 20-inch wheels. Broadly, the Grecale ducks and dives markedly with surface imperfections and is notably less comfortable than a Range Rover Velar or Jaguar F-Pace.

On smooth roads and above 60mph, though, it’s much calmer. The air suspension makes the most difference at motorway speeds, there’s palpably more float. If you regularly traverse British motorways it’s worth the extra money.

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There are five different drive modes labelled Comfort, GT, Sport, Corsa and Off-Road, and these alter the ride height by as much as 65mm. However, you can’t individually select your favourite blend of steering action, throttle response, shift speed, traction control, brake characteristics and exhaust note, instead relying on pre-defined programs.

Handling and steering are suitably sporting, with excellent response and good body control in bends. While every version of the Grecale also comes as standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.