ECO MOTORS NEWS got behind the wheel of the 100% electric Maserati Grecale Folgore, in a top-of-the-range Nerissima configuration and the eye-catching Rame Folgore paintwork. For three days, we put it through its paces on a variety of terrains: inner Paris, the Paris ring road, motorways, small towns and country roads in the Île-de-France region, to find out what this premium 100% electric SUV has to offer.
First impressions: the modern Maserati look
At first glance, the Grecale Folgore is instantly striking. It obviously doesn’t resemble what one traditionally imagines of a combustion-powered Maserati, but it perfectly embodies what the Italian brand wants to become in the electric sector: elegant, dynamic and instantly recognisable. The exclusive Rame Folgore colour used on the vehicle in our care reinforces this impression, emphasising the SUV’s generous proportions without ever becoming extravagant, and making the most of the vehicle’s curves in the sunlight.
In terms of proportions, this compact SUV, measuring around 4.87 m long and almost 2 m wide with mirrors, has an imposing presence without being overly heavy visually. As for its silhouette, it is not that of a coupé, but of a classic five-door SUV, with a coherent, dynamic and elegant front/rear identity.
Exterior design: a sporty take on a classic SUV
The front end isn’t ‘full’ like some EVs, and it’s very well done. It features a redesigned grille that evokes a compromise between thermal design and electrical requirements, with a trimmed grille that allows it to retain its assertive character and a truly pleasing aesthetic.
In profile, the roofline is fairly straight, in line with what you’d expect from a top-of-the-range compact SUV. Roadholding is smooth, serene and powerful, without violence.
At the rear, the light signature is neat but restrained: no extravagance, just a well-integrated aesthetic that fits in well with the vehicle’s overall exterior design.
On board: luxury, brightness… and a few contradictions
The interior of the Grecale Folgore shows what you’d expect from a premium electric SUV: brightness, carefully chosen materials and excellent finishes. Pieno Fiore leather, Alcantara, carbon and brushed aluminium inserts and the 14-speaker Sonus Faber audio system create a sophisticated ambience that’s warm rather than futuristic.
One of the strong points of the version tested is that natural light floods into the cabin thanks to the large panoramic sunroof. However, this impression of sobriety is somewhat marred by an abundance of physical buttons, particularly around the centre console and steering wheel. Although they are understandable, their number sometimes gives the impression of a less modern interface than one might expect from a top-of-the-range electric SUV.
The seats are another strong point: comfortable, enveloping and perfectly suited to long journeys. They are heated, but do not offer a massage function, which is perhaps lacking at this level of the range. It’s worth noting that each headrest is decorated with the brand’s logo, which immediately confers a feeling of belonging.
The overall ergonomics are intuitive, although there is sometimes a slight functional overload between physical controls, screens and menus.
On-board technology: intuitive but classic
The multimedia system is based on a 12.3-inch main screen, which is accompanied by an 8.8-inch lower screen dedicated to other functions such as cabin and seat climate control. Although this interface is fluid and relatively intuitive, the second lower screen is a bit of an eyesore, adding to the feeling of overcrowding in the cabin.
That said, one small detail that really appealed to me was the little circular dial above the screen, which can display the battery level or the time in a variety of designs. It’s the kind of small, customisable detail that’s a pleasure to see, and adds a subtle touch to the cabin. The head-up display is also available as an option, and can be activated and deactivated with a button on the steering wheel.
Rear seats & boot
In the rear, space is comfortable for two adults, even on long journeys. The quality of the rear seats is similar to that of the front, but unfortunately the middle seat is not as good. In terms of equipment, there are USB sockets at the rear and the middle seat can be converted into an elbow rest and has integrated drink holders.
As for the boot, for an SUV you’d expect plenty of storage space. And the Grecale Folgore does well in this respect, with a boot capacity of 535 litres, extendable to around 1,400 litres with the seats folded down. For this type of vehicle, of course, the boot is equipped with an electric opening/closing system, and there is an underfloor compartment for storing charging cables.
Driving: luxury, power and electric smoothness
From the very first kilometre, the Grecale Folgore confirms that it’s there to combine comfort, power and peace of mind. The electric motor delivers its instant torque of 820 Nm with a smooth, pleasant progressiveness, making every start smooth and very quiet.
The generous width of the vehicle (~1.98 m) is obviously sometimes felt in town or on narrow roads, but the standard 360° cameras make manoeuvring easier, even if their effectiveness could be better compared with the rest of the equipment. And as for comfort, thanks to the Skyhook air suspension, the car adapts very well to the irregularities that some roads can offer.
On fast lanes and motorways, the soundproofing and chassis balance make the long stages very pleasant. Acceleration is really brisk, which means that this handsome baby of almost 2.5 tonnes can overtake with ease. It has 3 modes, including the super-efficient Sport mode, which increases the feeling of power thanks to a more direct response from the pedal. Surprisingly, and to the delight of purists, Maserati has incorporated a customisable synthetic sound system that gives the illusion of driving a combustion engine.
Still behind the wheel, but this time in fast corners, despite weighing in at around 2,480 kg, the Grecale remains firmly planted on the ground and handles the bends well, with a contained roll worthy of a well-designed SUV. Of course, it’s not the same as what a racing car might produce, but you naturally feel some mass effects at high speeds.
Autonomy & recharging: serious figures tailored to use
Technically, the Grecale Folgore is powered by a 105 kWh battery, offering a WLTP range of between 426 and 501 km depending on the cycle and conditions. On the road, this translates into a realistic range of between 350 and 400 km in mixed use, with around 340 km at motorway speeds and more than 450 km in town or suburban areas, which is still very convincing for an electric SUV of this size.
Recharging is just as consistent: up to 150 kW in DC, enabling the battery to go from 20% to 80% in around 29 minutes, while AC charging goes up to 22 kW, a practical advantage for home charging or fast urban driving.
Driving aids: well calibrated… but sometimes surprising
The Grecale Folgore boasts a comprehensive level 2 assistance package, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and blind spot detection. These aids prove to be useful and well calibrated, especially on the motorway where they relieve the driver’s attention. Nevertheless, during our test drive, at an unexpected moment in the city centre, the assistance system activated sudden braking for no apparent reason. A reminder that even well-tuned systems can surprise in real-life conditions.
These aids can be deactivated intuitively via the steering wheel controls or the main menu, without the need for complex navigation. The cameras and sensors, though not perfected, contribute to overall confidence on board.
Verdict: a coherent, generous premium electric SUV… with a few compromises
The Maserati Grecale Folgore offers a convincing and credible proposition in the top-of-the-range electric SUV segment. It manages to combine power, comfort, versatility and real range, while retaining a strong and elegant stylistic identity, which is appreciated in an EV landscape that is often uniform and blander.
Some ergonomic choices (too many buttons, cameras) and some unexpected assistance reactions remind us that even an SUV of this level is never perfect. However, the overall package is still very pleasant to live with on a daily basis, with a driving experience worthy of a prestige car. It’s the kind of car that makes electric power desirable and coherent.
