The gas-powered Porsche Macan is dead. Long live the electric one. But let’s be honest with ourselves. You don’t buy a Macan for its charging ports. You buy it because it corners like a sports car while hiding groceries. Now that those internal combustion engines have been purged, enthusiasts are left hunting for a replacement. There’s one clear answer. Maserati has just updated its Grecale for 2027 and it slots perfectly into this void.
The new Grecale isn’t just a facelift. It’s a strategic strike. By simplifying the lineup and lowering the entry price to just under $80,000, Maserati is making the 2027 Maserati Grevale an immediate substitute for the outgoing Porsche Macan.
Killing the Four-Cylinder to Save the Soul
First things first. Maserati axed the base turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Good riddance. The V-6 was always the soul of this car, and now it’s the only soul. The previous entry-level model was gone for 2026, leaving a gap. The 2027 fix is elegant in its simplicity. Every gas-powered Grecale—Modena and Trofeo included—now uses the Nettuno V-6.
The base model gets a detuned version of that engine. 385 horsepower. It’s borrowed from the GranTurismo and MC20 descendants but tuned for daily drivability. The Modena trim? Same output. That’s what I drove through the twisting roads of Italy and Slovenia. And frankly, 385 horses is more than enough to make you forget the price tag.
“The chassis is balanced, and the Grecale feelslight on its feet in the sameway the Macan does.”
The Trofeo tops out at 523 horsepower. That’s overkill for most. But if you want to feel the G-force in the Modena? Sport mode is your friend. It rips. Not as violently as the Trofeo, but with enough enthusiasm to keep your heart rate up on backroads.
Driving Dynamics: Close, But Not Quite
Does it drive exactly like a Macan? No. Nothing will. The Porsche has a level of steering feedback that feels telepathic. The Grecale is light, responsive, and satisfying. But there’s a slight disconnect compared to the German benchmark.
The Julian Alps foothills tested the car’s mettle. Twisty? Yes. Engaging? Absolutely. The throaty exhaust note from the V-6 provides an auditory performance boost that the silent Macan EV never could. Handling is snappy. The suspension soaks up bumps with hushed poise, whether you’re attacking a corner or gliding through a sleepy Slovenian village in GT mode.
It’s not far off. And for many drivers? “Far off” is close enough.
Interior Quality and Tech Quirks
Step inside. It’s better than a Porsche. Not by much, but it’s better. The base Grecale comes standard with a stitched faux-leather dash cover, power-adjustable seats with memory, and 20-inch wheels. These are optional extras on a Macan. The Modena adds 21-inch wheels and a 14-speaker Sonus Fa ber audio system. Thick leather. Open-pore wood. Genuine metal accents. It feels premium. It is premium.
The tech, however, has personality flaws.
The infotainment system is high-resolution and functional. Navigation is standard. I used it heavily in central Europe because the roads are a labyrinth. But the navigation arrow? Occasionally, it didn’t reflect the car’s actual position. I missed roundabout exits. I made abrupt, last-second corrections. It’s distracting.
Then there’s the climate control. Slanted touch panels are not intuitive while driving. You should be looking at the road, not poking at glass to change the temperature. Physical buttons win. Always.
The digital dash clock is a novel addition. It shows time. Or performance data. Or a compass. Or a g-meter. It’s a fun party trick, but does it replace essential controls? Debatable.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto are standard. Most drivers will ignore the built-in nav anyway and stick to their phone’s maps. Smart. Or lazy. Your choice.
The Value Proposition
Here’s where the argument becomes undeniable.
The Modena I tested rang in at $86,495. A comparable Porsche Macan with a V-6? You need the GTS model. That adds a $10,000 price premium over the Maserati. The Macan also lacks the list of standard tech and luxury features found in the base or Modena Maserati.
Some might say: “Buy a BMW X3 M50. Or a Mercedes-AMG GLC 53.”
Those are valid choices. Both offer similar performance metrics. But they lack something intangible. Panache. Rarity. The Maserati badge carries a history of drama and exclusivity that the German twins dilute with mass production. The updated Grecale isn’t just a practical swap. It’s a style statement.
The price of entry drops. The engine lineup unifies. The driving fun remains high. If you’re looking for a gas-powered compact SUV that doesn’t feel like a corporate appliance, the 2027 Maserati Grevale is waiting.
It’s not perfect. The navigation glitches. The climate controls are touch-sensitive nonsense. The steering lacks Porsche’s precision.
But is it fun? Yes.
Is it desirable? Absolutely.
The Macan is gone. The Grecale remains. Choose wisely. Or don’t. Just don’t go electric if you miss the noise.
