Maserati GranTurismo (2023 - ) review

Depending on which version of the GranTurismo you choose, the big Maserati coupe could prove incredibly expensive to run, or very cheap indeed. The two petrol-powered versions – the Modena and the Trofeo – both have big engines and running costs to match, but the electric Folgore will be comparatively cheaper day to day, even if it’s more expensive to buy in the first place. Although the petrol engines aren’t as big as those fitted to some rivals, they still produce a lot of power, and they burn plenty of petrol in the process. That, combined with the premium price tag, means you’ll have to hand over plenty of cash to both the petrol station and the tax man. The Folgore, however, will avoid both issues, particularly if you can charge the battery at home , where energy is comparatively cheap. Charging on the public network might get more expensive, but it should still be cheaper than filling up with unleaded.

Maserati’s reputation for reliability is less than stellar, but this is a new era for the brand. The GranTurismo sits on fresh architecture and comes with the new 3.0-litre engine, into which Maserati has placed a great deal of trust. The technology should be solid, too, thanks to the influence of the Stellantis group, which now owns Maserati, and the advent of the Folgore, which will have fewer moving parts and therefore less to go wrong. Early signs are promising, with the GranTurismo demonstrating improved build quality inside and out, but with all these new components it’s hard to say whether the Maserati will eventually prove reliable.

There was a time when the GranTurismo was tricky and unforgiving to drive, but the new model is a much more docile beast. With clever all-wheel-drive systems fitted to every model, it has plenty of traction and it’s unlikely to misbehave unless you really provoke it – particularly if you stay away from the sportier driving modes. As keen students of Italian will doubtless gather from the name, Corsa mode is best experienced on a race track. Drive sensibly in either Comfort or GT mode, though, and the GranTurismo proves easygoing, despite its abundant power. That’s partly because there are plenty of gadgets to help you out. All GranTurismos come with Maserati’s latest driver assistance technology, including lane-keeping assistance and automatic emergency braking that can slam on the brakes if you fail to react to a hazard. Helpfully, that works whether you’re going forward or reversing, because rear visibility is not that great. Maserati’s camera-based rear-view mirror helps to an extent, and a fleet of sensors will give you a hand, but you still have to be careful when manoeuvring.

The GranTurismo might be low, but once you’re inside it doesn’t feel that cramped. The seats are sculpted to support you in all the right places, and both the driver and front passenger get ample seat adjustment and headroom. That, combined with the generally plush materials found in the cabin, makes the GranTurismo a very comfortable place to be, and that’s exactly what you want from a grand tourer. It’s quiet, too, except when the snarling engine up front makes its presence felt. But the most impressive thing about the GranTurismo is the way it rides. In Comfort mode, it wafts over potholes and cats’ eyes as if they were made of marshmallow, and with the nose-lifting kit to help you get over speed bumps, there’s less chance of grounding out. That makes the GranTurismo a pleasant companion in town, but it’s at its best at higher speeds, where it seems to glide over the road surface, even in the sportier driving modes. Sadly, the practicality is less impressive, but the GranTurismo is more usable than ever before. Not only has the boot grown, but there’s now enough space in the back to squeeze adults into, although they won’t be especially comfortable. Use the seats as a glorified parcel shelf and treat the car as a two-seater, however, and it’ll have more than enough space for your luggage.

The new GranTurismo’s onboard technology is streets ahead of the features seen on the old car, thanks in part to some knowledge-sharing with Maserati’s new owners. That has seen Maserati develop an all-new touch-screen system that’s also found on the new Grecale SUV, while a modified version lives in the dashboard of the MC20 supercar. The GranTurismo’s set-up combines two central touch-screens with a digital instrument display, as well as a little round digital display on the dashboard that doubles as a clock. Overall, the system is much better than anything Maserati has produced before, and you get crisp, modern graphics as well as plenty of features. Navigation, smartphone integration and wireless phone charging are all offered, along with two-zone climate control and an optional Sonus Faber sound system. Our only real complaint is with the insistence on using touch-screens for climate control functions, and while the Maserati system is more usable than some, it’s still distracting while you’re on the move.

Maserati enthusiasts may mourn the loss of the old GranTurismo’s V8, but the new 3.0-litre V6 engines are brilliant. There are two petrol options – the Modena and the Trofeo – but both use the same soulful V6 ‘Nettuno’ engine from the MC20 powering all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The difference is in the amount of power they produce – the 490 horsepower Modena is the baby of the range, with the 550 horsepower Trofeo sitting above it – but both are rapid in a straight line. They are, however, thrown into shade by the all-electric Folgore, which uses three electric motors to produce 761 horsepower, which allows it to outrun the MC20 in a straight line. That said, the large 92.5kWh battery gives it an official range of around 280 miles, although even Maserati admits around 200 miles is more realistic. The two fuel types give the GranTurismo very different characters, the Folgore is quiet and savage while the Modena and Trofeo have a bark that’s worse than their bite. Either way, you get supercar performance in any weather, and when you mix that with the GranTurismo’s sublime steering feel and ride comfort, you’re left with one of the all-time great grand tourers.