Let’s be honest, anything with the Maserati moniker sounds like it would be a thing of beauty. And their latest iteration – the Maserati Grecale SUV was no exception. So I was thrilled to be able to drive it around for a day and see how it handles the real world – the lifestyle of a very busy working mum of three.
Style
First things first, I love how it looked. And judging by the admiring stares I got at the daycare drop-off, so did others. It’s sleek, modern and timeless on the outside with elegant sculpted lines, and as it’s a SUV it’s much more spacious than a traditional Maserati. What I also liked was there was nothing ostentatious about it – in fact – as I cruised through the suburbs it reminded me of the current fashion clothing trend ‘quiet luxury’ where people are choosing quality, timeless and understated pieces over show-y labels.
Comfort
Elegant on the outside but spacious on the inside, the hand stitched seats are an indication of the fine craftsmanship that has gone into this Italian-made offering. Sitting in traffic during my daily commute (which is often an hour long) I felt extremely comfortable in the leather seats and high-end sound system which I synced with my phone so I was able to play ‘the business of fashion’ podcast as I drove.
Cutting edge technology
Naturally, it has the latest tech, and every detail has been placed in it to have purpose. What caught my attention was the 12.3” touchscreen infotainment panel which is complemented with a smaller 8.8” comfort panel underneath. This controlled almost everything without the need for crowded buttons – from climate control, to the seats. Arguably the most important feature, the driving modes, does have a dedicated switch though. Depending on your mood you can go from Comfort, to GT, to Sport to Off-road. I think you can imagine I opted for comfort and spent the day commuting around the city on a smooth and seamless ride where all aspects could be customised to my exact requirements. Another feature I found helpful was the speedometer which displays on the windscreen above the steering wheel. Using navigation data it clocks the speed limit where you’re driving, but what’s so interesting is that even in temporary slow speed areas like when there are roadworks, it can register that and advise the speed limit – meaning I could continuously keep my eyes on the road.
Thinking for you
Later in the day I was in and out of the car for meetings in extremely busy areas of the CBD, but parking was no trouble with the dual cameras. Not only was there a backing camera, there was also a 360 camera which showed a birds eye view of the car (and more importantly, the curb!) so parallel parking was a breeze. Once parked the car locked automatically once I closed the door, and opened as soon as I approached it (perfect for a mum with your hands often both metaphorically and literally full!) And while there is no denying this is a car of luxury, at its heart it’s a car you can enjoy during the daily commute, an adventurous weekend getaway, or while cruising through the bustling cityscape on your way to a dinner date. It’s a car for the everyday, and proof you don’t have to compromise on style and luxury to live your life.
Stepping out of the car for the final time that evening to attend a beauty launch I felt a certain thrill as I walked away from the car and looked back at it. I’ll admit – I wasn’t expecting the stares that come with driving a Maserati. At first I thought people were admiring my outfit, but when I left the event that evening and a group of men watched me get into the Maserati, I realised it wasn’t me at all they were staring at, but the car!
