Maserati Grecale vs. Porsche Macan

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The premium SUV segment is full of strong players, but two models stand out in terms of appearance and driving experience: the Maserati Grecale and the Porsche Macan. Two sports SUVs that each combine luxury, performance and design in their own way. One exudes Italian flair and exclusivity, the other exudes German solidity and precision.

Both cars are intended for people who want more than just driving from A to B. Comfort, interior quality and driving pleasure play a key role in these models. Whether you choose the Grecale's elegant lines and temperament or the Macan's razor-sharp handling and balanced handling, either way, you'll get an SUV that makes a real statement. In this Carvendo comparison, we compare these two special models and look at their strengths and weaknesses in terms of comfort, interior quality, all-round visibility, handling, handling and design. Two top models, each with their own character, but which one suits you best?

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Maserati Grecale Italian Perfection

The Maserati Grecale is an SUV that you don't just walk by. At first glance, it exudes something extraordinary: a perfect mix of elegance, sportiness and class. The design is timeless and subtle, with smooth lines that combine strength and style. It's no coincidence that the design comes from Klaus Busse, Maserati's German chief designer, who has managed to combine pure Italian emotion with German sophistication. The result is an SUV that not only looks great, but also looks like a classic in the making.

Once you get in, the party continues. The interior is really beautiful. Maserati hasn't cut corners here: high-quality leathers, sophisticated stitching and a finish that's usually only found in high-end GTs. Everything feels premium and carefully curated. The dashboard is sleek, modern and elegant, while the typical Maserati atmosphere remains warm, stylish and exclusive. The all-round view is good, partly thanks to the well-thought-out lines and the relatively low windows that provide a pleasant sitting position with a lot of overview.

Under the skin, Maserati has done something extraordinary. The Grecale stands on the Giorgio Evo platform, which is 9 cm longer and is suitable for a hybrid, a further development of the excellent chassis on which the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is also based. This platform is known for its sporty driving characteristics and razor-sharp handling, and you can feel it. The Grecale steers with precision rarely found in SUVs. It takes turns tightly and in a controlled manner, without sacrificing comfort. The damping is perfectly tuned and manages to find a perfect balance between sportiness and comfort.

The Maserati Grecale is available in multiple versions and powertrains, making it an important model in the brand's SUV range. Up to and including the 2025 model year, the range consisted of a broad spectrum, ranging from efficient mild hybrid petrol engines to a fully electric top version.

The basic version, the Grecale GT, was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology, good for 300 hp. Above that was the Grecale Modena, which used the same engine but with 330 hp, combined with sportier tuning and richer equipment.

For those who want to drive fully electric, Maserati introduced the Grecale Folgore. This fully electric variant delivers a whopping 550 hp and combines impressive performance with modern electric technology, without sacrificing the character and luxury that comes with Maserati.

The absolute top model was and remains the Maserati Grecale Trofeo, powered by the impressive 3.0-liter biturbo V6 Nettuno engine, which is also used in the MC20. With 530 hp, this version offers sports-car-level performance packed into an elegant and practical SUV.

Model year 2026: subtle facelift and technical innovation

For model year 2026, Maserati has given the Grecale a modest facelift, with the most important changes located under the body. A remarkable step is the cancellation of the four-cylinder engines. Instead, both the base and the Modena versions get a toned-down version of the 3.0-liter V6, making the characterful V6 engine available to a wider audience and giving the model range more Maserati DNA. The Grecale Folgore also benefits from technical updates. For example, it will be equipped with new technologies, including AWD disconnect, which can partially disconnect the four-wheel drive to improve efficiency and range.

All petrol versions of the Grecale come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The fully electric Folgore differs from this and has a single-speed transmission, as usual with electric powertrains.

With these updates, Maserati is positioning the Grecale for 2026 stronger than ever: more technically sophisticated, more consistent in motorization and even more clearly positioned as a luxury performance SUV with a distinct Italian character

In short: the Maserati Grecale is a masterful blend of elegant design, sophisticated craftsmanship and exceptional handling. It offers an interior that embraces you, a chassis that perfectly combines sportiness and comfort, and even supercar performance in the Trofeo version. An SUV for enthusiasts who want to drive something really special.

Maserati Grecale

Timeless and exclusive Italian design by Klaus Busse
Luxurious interior with high-quality leathers
Choose between petrol and electric (Folgore) powertrains
Powered by the excellent Giorgio Evo platform
Up to a 10-year warranty possible, premium look

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Porsche Macan, the typical Porsche

The Porsche Macan is one of those cars that you recognize immediately, even before you have a good look at it. It has that typical Porsche silhouette, compact and muscular, with a look that exudes confidence, speed and looks like the 911. It's not an SUV that tries to look sporty; the Macan is a real Porsche.

Inside, you are welcomed in an environment that is clearly tailored to the driver. The seating position is low and sporty for an SUV, the steering wheel fits perfectly in the hand and the finish is typical Porsche: sleek, high-quality and with an eye for detail. The materials are top class and the ergonomics are well thought out. You have the feeling that every button and line is exactly where it belongs. All-round visibility is good, especially for a sporty SUV with such a dynamic line, and the seats offer perfect support, even on longer journeys or heavy cornering.

Technically, the Macan shares a lot with the Audi Q5, but Porsche has left its own unique stamp on it. The chassis is sharply adjusted and the balance between sportiness and comfort is good. Handling is one of the Macan's strengths: it steers precisely and tightly, stays stable in fast corners and gives you a lot of confidence as a driver. You can constantly feel that this SUV has been developed by a brand that lives for driving pleasure.

The Porsche Macan is available in various versions and engines and has developed over the years from a sporty petrol SUV to a fully electric performance SUV. Up to and including the 2024 model year, the Macan range consisted of various petrol variants, after which Porsche made a clear change of direction towards full electrification.

In the period 2014 to 2024, the Macan was available with gasoline engines in multiple flavors. The basic Macan had a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an output of between 245 and 265 hp, focused on comfort and everyday use. The Macan T emphasized a more purist driving experience, with a sportier tuning. Above that was the Macan S, which came with a 3.0-liter V6 or later a 2.9-liter V6, with outputs ranging from 354 to 375 hp. For the real enthusiast, there was the Macan GTS, also with a 2.9 liter V6, good for 380 to 440 hp, while the Macan Turbo was the absolute top model with 440 hp and sports car performance.

From 2024, the Macan will be fully electric and built on the new PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric). This new generation combines high performance with a long range and modern technology. The entry-level model, the Macan with rear-wheel drive, focuses primarily on efficiency and offers a maximum range of up to 641 kilometers (WLTP). The Macan 4 has all-wheel drive and delivers up to 408 hp with Launch Control, perfectly balancing performance and traction. The Macan 4S fills the gap between the Macan 4 and Turbo and delivers 380 kW (516 hp). The top model is the Macan Turbo, with up to 639 hp and a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds.

All electric versions feature advanced technology, including electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) for optimal grip and driving dynamics. Depending on the version, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive is available and for those who want a tougher look, a new off-road design package is available. With this evolution, the Porsche Macan remains true to its sporty character while fully adapting to the future of electric driving.

Porsche Macan

Very strong reputation for reliability and dealer network
Sporty driving characteristics, excellent handling
Recognizable Porsche design, but less unique
Only available as an electric version
Lower entry price level than the Grecale Folgore

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Conclusion

If you put the Maserati Grecale and Porsche Macan side by side, you'll immediately see: this is no standard comparison. They are both premium sports SUVs, but each with a completely different approach. Porsche opts for evolution and familiarity, Maserati opts for emotion and exclusivity.

The Porsche Macan has now built a strong reputation. It has been one of the best-selling sports SUVs in its segment for years. This is not only due to its excellent handling and powerful engines, but also because of the reliable technology and the well-developed dealer network. At Porsche, you know where you stand, and that gives many buyers confidence. The brand experience is tightly organized, and in terms of service, you're in the right place anywhere in the Netherlands.

However, there is also a small disadvantage: Porsche sticks to a recognisable design DNA in which almost every model looks like the iconic 911, which makes continuity, but also predictability, even a bit boring. The Macan is unmistakably a Porsche, but it therefore lacks the unique flair that some buyers are looking for in this segment.

This brings us to the Maserati Grecale, which takes a very different approach to things. This SUV exudes Italian class and exclusivity. The beautiful, timeless design was created by German designer Klaus Busse, and the result is an elegant but sporty appearance that you don't just see on every street corner. Maserati has worked hard on the quality experience over the past few years, and it shows: the interior materials are beautiful, the finish has been greatly improved, and Maserati now even dares to offer a 10-year warranty. That is a huge difference with Porsche, where you still only get a 2-year manufacturer's warranty.

There is also a clear difference in terms of powertrains. Porsche now only offers the Macan as a fully electric version. It's powerful, fast and modern, but not everyone in the premium segment is ready for it yet. Maserati is responding smartly to this: in addition to the electric Grecale Folgore, they also simply offer petrol variants, something that is still important to many buyers in this segment, especially in countries where the charging infrastructure is not perfect. For some, the Porsche will be the best choice, but if you want something uniquely more luxurious and not electric, Maserati really has a fantastic SUV that has become even better for the 2026 model year.

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