Maserati first dipped its toe into the SUV market quite late in the game with the Levante back in 2016. Fast forward seven years and it jumped into the deep end with the smaller, sportier Grecale.

The idea of the iconic Italian supercar maker introducing a small-ish, upright off-road-themed motor may once have been an anathema to petrolheads, but the success of the Porsche Macan is something that Maserati’s marketing department have clearly paid close attention to.

The Grecale has certainly entered a packed marketplace. Porsche’s smallest SUV is its main rival, but the super posh Range Rover Velar will appear on the same kind of shortlists, as will the Jaguar F-Pace and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a car which is built in the same plant as the Grecale. BMW’s evergreen X3 is also a similar proposition, albeit with far fewer customisation options.

What sets the Maserati apart from its rivals? On paper, not a great deal. But petrolheads know this a huge step in a new direction for the Modena-based firm. Its platform and interior are brand new, and unlike with old Maserati, there’s no V8 engine. Is this a stride in the right direction?

If all of that feels a little too petrol-y for your liking, the all-electric Grecale Folgore is also available. It’s a very different proposition, but retains the the appeal of this attractive high-performance luxury SUV, while adding a surprising level of efficiency. But it also comes at a price, as our review of that car explains.

Back to this one, and you get plenty of versions to choose from. There are three variations, starting with the 300hp GT. That comes with 19-inch alloys, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster with matching 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The 330hp Modena adds larger wheels and more kit, and comes at a healthy premium over the entry-level model.

However, the range-topping Trofeo is something else entirely. It’s a fully-fledged super-SUV, packing 530hp and enough power to see off the Porsche Macan, rivalling the equally impressive Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It comes with a healthy price increase, but as well as all that power, you also get uprated brakes, panoramic sunroof and a more sophisticated adaptive suspension set-up. 

We should also explain Maserati’s personalisation scheme, called Fuoriserie. Not much is off limits here, so if you want a unique Grecale they can make it happen. Cars from more mainstream manufacturers simply can’t do this. Rest assured, it comes at a cost. You can spend more than £20,000 on paint for your Grecale.

Over the next few pages, we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the Maserati Grecale and rating them in our verdict. Along the way, we’ll consider the car’s driving experience, the quality and comfort of its interior, the level of practicality available and how much it’ll cost you to keep it on the road.