The Grecale is Maserati’s take on the mid-size luxury SUV and in SUV-crazy India will likely be the first port of call for buyers intrigued by the iconic brand. It’s been updated outside, inside and under the hood to help convert that mystique into sales.

2027 Maserati Grecale Exterior Design and Engineering – 8/10

Like most Maseratis, the Grecale is one of those cars that looks better in the metal than it does in photographs. There’s Italian flair to the design, with the proportions finely balanced across its 4.8m length. The classic Maserati cues – voluptuous fenders, vents aft of the front wheels and the cut of the glasshouse – are all there and help establish the marque, even in profile.

The key visual change comes at the front. A strong horizontal crease visually divides the face into two distinct sections. The upper portion retains the familiar sculpted Maserati look, while the lower section adopts a far more technical and aggressive appearance. Larger air intakes flank a more pronounced concave grille, with the Trident logo taking centre stage. The changes aren’t dramatic, but they make the Grecale look considerably sportier and give it much stronger road presence. Ahem, that visual link to the humble Suzuki Swift is also less pronounced now.

There are minor tweaks to the trim elsewhere and, as ever, there’s lots of scope to customise the appearance. I wouldn’t change our test car’s arresting Verde Royale-on-black colour scheme, thank you very much.

2027 Maserati Grecale Interior Space and Comfort – 8/10

Not much has changed inside, but that’s no bad thing because this remains a cabin that strikes a nice balance between modern technology and traditional Italian craftsmanship.

There are still four displays: a digital instrument cluster, a large central touchscreen, a lower touchscreen for climate control functions and Maserati’s signature clock. Each has been subtly updated. The digital clock gets a revised face and new glass designed to mimic the appearance of a conventional analogue timepiece while retaining its digital functionality.

Lower down, the old gear selector buttons have made way for metallic toggle switches that look and feel richer. The steering wheel has also been redone with a squared-off shape that feels great to hold. Behind it sit Maserati’s trademark oversized aluminium paddle shifters, mounted to the steering column, and they remain among the most satisfying paddle shifters you’ll use in any performance SUV.

Despite the screen-heavy layout, the Grecale’s interior isn’t lacking on warmth. Rich leather upholstery, beautifully stitched dashboard trim and some plush materials (exposed carbon fibre for the win) tell you a lot of love and work has gone into putting the interior together. Some plastics do feel ordinary, though.

The front seats are supportive and are the best ones in the house. While rear seat space is better than that of a Porsche Macan (the car the Grecale was built to beat), it’s not the ideal buy for chauffeur-driven buyers who will see more value in a like-priced Merc GLE or BMW X5.

Rear-seat passengers will find kneeroom and headroom more than adequate, although a reclinable backrest would have added another layer of comfort.

2027 Maserati Grecale Performance and Refinement – 8/10

The Grecale continues to be offered in three flavours – GT, Modena and Trofeo – but today’s Modena isn’t exactly the same as the one before. While the Modena was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol producing 330hp, the new Modena, confusingly enough, also gets Maserati’s 3.0-litre Nettuno V6, with output pegged at 390hp. It neatly bridges the gap between the entry-level 300hp Grecale GT and the full-fat 530hp Trofeo.

It’s easy to fall for the charms of the ‘new’ Modena. The new 390hp V6 comes across as a much more natural fit for something with the Maserati badge. There’s ready power at hand and a nice pull past 6,500rpm when the roads allow. There’s great fun working through the gears too, partly because of the feel at the paddles and partly because of the ‘braaap’ from the exhaust during shifts. The soundtrack, in general, is very appealing, with a gentle growl growing into a muscle-car burble. How much of that sound originates from the engine and exhaust, and how much is enhanced through the speakers, is difficult to tell, but the end result is undeniably enjoyable.

2027 Maserati Grecale Ride Comfort and Handling – 8/10

What’s also easy to glean is that the Grecale isn’t trying to be a soft, comfort-focused luxury SUV. There is a definite sporting edge to the way it rides and handles. You’ll feel bumps and imperfections in the road more readily than you would in some rivals, although it never crosses the line into feeling harsh or uncomfortable.

Adaptive dampers allow you to tailor the suspension’s responses depending on the selected drive mode, and while they do make a noticeable difference, even the most comfort-oriented setting stops short of completely isolating you from the road. The way to look at it is that it allows a little more of the driving experience to filter through, reminding you that this is a Maserati first and an SUV second. The crisp handling is up there with the now-retired Porsche Macan ICE, and that’s high praise.

2027 Maserati Grecale Price and Verdict – 8/10

The updates for 2026 may not completely transform the Grecale, but they make an already distinctive luxury SUV a more convincing proposition. The sharper styling gives it greater visual presence, while the introduction of the V6-powered Modena fills an important gap in the range. More importantly, it strengthens the Grecale’s case for anyone in the market for an SUV that prioritises driver appeal.

The timing couldn’t be better either. Maserati is renewing its focus on India with a new dealer network and a stronger push in the market. The Grecale will continue to command a premium over similarly sized luxury SUVs (we expect the range to start at Rs 1.2 crore ex-showroom), but it has the style and character to charm its way into contention.