The Maserati Grecale Trofeo is one of the best compact performance SUVs nobody buys. It pairs a handsome design with genuine brand cachet and a potent powertrain that, not too long ago, would have made some supercars nervous. Introduced only for 2023, it’s hardly old news, yet thanks to some brutal early depreciation, low-mileage examples can now be found for close to half their original sticker MSRP.
But does that make it a better buy than the Porsche Macan GTS, widely regarded as the best all-around compact performance SUV on the market? Used examples are trading for roughly the same money as the Grecale Trofeo of similar vintage, putting these two squarely in direct competition. We’ve put together this guide to help you decide which one deserves your garage space, and your money.
Maserati Late To The Game
Exterior view of the Maserati Grecale TrofeoMaserati
SUVs have dominated the luxury market for well over a decade, but Maserati started later than most rivals. The Italian brand didn’t enter the segment until the arrival of the midsize Levante, launched in the US for the 2017 model year. It followed that effort with the smaller Grecale for 2023. By then, Porsche had already cycled through multiple generations of the midsize Cayenne, while the compact Macan was nearing its 10th birthday and firmly established as a segment benchmark.
Related
Driven: 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo Is A Return To Greatness
It’s furiously fast, wildly comfortable, and insanely expensive for a compact crossover.
Despite Maserati’s relative lack of experience in the luxury SUV arena, the Grecale earned a generally warm reception. At launch, it was widely praised for its handsome styling, upscale cabin, and strong performance, particularly in range-topping Trofeo guise. The problem was that it rarely topped the class in any measurable category, whether that meant acceleration, handling, practicality, or technology. That would have been less of an issue had it been priced aggressively, but the Grecale entered the market carrying a premium over many of its rivals, including the Macan.
Exterior view of the Maserati Grecale TrofeoMaserati
Then there was the challenge of wearing a Maserati badge in a segment where buyers tend to prioritize value as much as prestige. The brand’s exotic image comes with baggage: higher maintenance costs, a relatively sparse dealer network, steep depreciation, and, fairly or not, lingering concerns about long-term reliability. Those factors made the Grecale a tougher sell when new, though many of its shortcomings look far less significant when dealing with used examples.
By The Numbers: Performance Comparison
-
Base Trim Engine
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
296 hp
-
Base Trim Engine
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
7-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
261 hp
Both the Grecale and Macan have been offered with four-cylinder engines, but enthusiasts shopping at this end of the market will want to skip them entirely in favor of V6 power. In the Grecale Trofeo, there’s a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 originally derived from a Ferrari design. The engine is also shared with the Maserati MCPura supercar, though surprisingly it sounds a little muted here.
The Macan GTS counters with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 of its own, but when the numbers are laid out side by side, the Maserati holds a clear advantage. It packs more horsepower, reaches 60 mph quicker, and carries on to a higher top speed.
What makes the Grecale Trofeo’s performance even more impressive is that it achieves those gains despite its larger footprint. Curb weight is also surprisingly close between the two, while the Maserati also manages to edge out the Porsche in fuel economy. The Trofeo doesn’t get Porsche’s excellent dual-clutch transmission, relying instead on an eight-speed automatic, but it hardly feels shortchanged. Shifts arrive quickly and cleanly when you’re on the move, though there can be a slight hesitation off the line before the V6 delivers its full punch. Once underway, however, the Maserati feels every bit as fast as its specifications suggest.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo
2023 Porsche Macan GTS
Engine
Twin-turbo 3.0L V6
Twin-turbo 2.9L V6
Transmission
8-speed automatic
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
Output
523 hp | 457 lb-ft
434 hp | 405 lb-ft
0–60 mph
3.6 seconds
4.3 seconds
Top speed
177 mph
169 mph
Curb weight
4,469 lbs
4,400 lbs
EPA fuel economy (MPG)
18 city/25 highway/20 combined
17 city/22 highway/19 combined
MSRP
$102,500
$82,900
The Grecale Trofeo’s dynamic character owes plenty to its close relationship with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, one of the finest performance SUVs ever built. That’s high praise, but Maserati largely earns it. The Trofeo changes direction with an eagerness that’s uncommon in a vehicle of its size and height, pairing quick steering and impressive body control with remarkable grip. It delivers much of the Stelvio’s hot-hatch-like agility, yet wraps the experience in a more comfortable and refined package, even when switched to its more sportier settings.
Related
EV Vs. Gas: Which Porsche Macan GTS Deserves Your Money?
A closer look at the electric and combustion versions of the Macan GTS.
If the Maserati wins the battle for outright pace, the Macan GTS answers with precision. Few SUVs at any price feel as cohesive from behind the wheel. Its steering is beautifully weighted and communicative, the chassis feels tied down and predictable, and the Porsche seems to shrink around the driver on a winding road even more so than the Maserati.
The dual-clutch transmission delivers crisp, immediate responses, while the suspension strikes an impressive balance between comfort and control. The result is an SUV that feels less dramatic than the Maserati but ultimately more polished and engaging.
A Look At Luxury
Interior view in the Maserati Grecale Trofeo
Maserati
Inside, the Grecale Trofeo leans heavily into its Maserati identity. The brand learned its lessons from the cheap-feeling Ghibli and this time endowed its newest entry-level model with the same rich materials and elegant detailing you find in the top-end models. The layered dashboard design and digital interfaces create a modern atmosphere, but many of the controls being handled via the screen can be annoying. The buttons for the gear selection also takes some getting used to. Rear-seat space is generous for the segment, and so is the list of standard features, which includes real leather and carbon-fiber trim, a Sonus Faber premium audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.
2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo
2023 Porsche Macan GTS
Dimensions L/W/H
191.3 / 77.9 / 65.4 inches
186.1 / 76.1 / 62.8 inches
Rear Legroom
39 inches (estimate)
34 inches (estimate)
Cargo Space Behind Rear Seats | Maximum
20.1 | 57.4 cu ft
17.2 | 53 cu ft
Porsche Macan GTS interior Porsche
The Macan GTS approaches luxury from a different angle. Rather than chasing flair, Porsche focuses on impeccable execution. Every switch, surface, and control feels thoughtfully engineered, and the driving position remains among the best in the business.
Space is tighter compared to the Grecale Trofeo, given the smaller footprint, and some of those standard goodies found on the Maserati are optional here, like the panoramic roof and premium audio system, though many of the listed used vehicles often feature these already.
Today’s Pricing And Reliability
Exterior view of the Maserati Grecale TrofeoMaserati
A quick search of CarBuzz Marketplace and other popular classified websites reveals that the Grecale Trofeo holds a commanding advantage when it comes to value. Used examples typically start at around $60,000, or roughly half of what the original transaction price likely was, and even at that price point mileage is surprisingly low, often below 30,000 miles.
Stretch the budget by a few thousand dollars and you’ll find Trofeos showing 20,000 miles or less, with some still carrying a portion of Maserati’s four-year/50,000-mile factory warranty. The biggest obstacle isn’t finding a good deal. It’s actually finding a Grecale Trofeo close to you, as supply remains relatively limited compared to more established rivals.
The Macan GTS tells a different story. While the GTS badge has been part of the Macan lineup since the 2017 model year, we’ve limited our search to 2023-and-newer examples to keep the comparison fair, as that’s when the Grecale Trofeo first arrived. Like the Maserati, entry prices start at roughly $60,000, but mileage is typically much higher, often approaching 60,000 miles. That disparity highlights just how steep the Grecale Trofeo’s depreciation curve has been relative to the Macan GTS. The Porsche is also far easier to find, giving buyers a much wider selection of colors, options, and mileage ranges to choose from.
Green 2025 Porsche Macan GTS rear endPorsche
The Grecale Trofeo’s value proposition becomes less clear once long-term ownership enters the chat. Reliability data for the SUV itself remains limited due to its recent introduction and low sales volume, so buyers are forced to look at Maserati’s broader track record for clues. Sites such as CarComplaints show relatively sparse but consistently negative reporting for the brand overall, with older models often criticized for electrical gremlins, build quality issues, and expensive fixes compared to mainstream rivals.
Related
The Best Compact SUV You Can Buy For $40,000 Wears A Porsche Badge
With 434 hp and sharp handling, a used Macan Turbo blends sports car thrills with SUV practicality at an unbeatable price.
In the case of the Macan GTS, RepairPal generally rates the Porsche brand as below average for reliability, but also notes that its issues tend to be more predictable and easier to manage, with strong parts availability and a well-established independent repair network. CarComplaints data for the full Macan line shows some known issues, but nothing that meaningfully undermines its reputation as a dependable long-term choice in this segment.
Just as important, Porsche’s larger dealer footprint and stronger aftermarket support makes ownership more convenient when things do go wrong, reducing downtime and easing repair logistics compared with Maserati’s more limited service network.
The Safe Bet Versus The Wild Card
Exterior view of the Maserati Grecale TrofeoMaserati
Both the Grecale Trofeo and Macan GTS make strong cases for themselves on the used market, but they appeal to different priorities. The Porsche remains the safer, more predictable long-term bet, with stronger support and proven consistency. However, if reliability concerns don’t deter you and you’re ready for something beyond the usual German playbook, the Grecale Trofeo delivers a fast, charismatic SUV that’s genuinely fun to drive – and when buying used, much of the depreciation hit is already well in the rearview mirror.
Sources: Maserati, Porsche, CarComplaints (1,2), RepairPal (1,2)
