Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo review: Italian six appeal

The Maserati GranTurismo promises to blend everyday usability with serious performance, but is it a proper grand tourer like its name suggests? 

Priced from Rs 2.54 crore for the 490hp Modena, the GranTurismo is the entry point into Maserati's sports car range and is available as a coupé or convertible, with twin-turbo V6 or all-electric powertrain options. Here, we get behind the wheel of the 550hp V6 Trofeo to see what it’s all about. 

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo exterior design and engineering - 9/10

The second-gen GranTurismo is clearly an evolution of the original, retaining its classic long-bonnet, short-rear proportions. The first gen was a looker, and this one carries forward that appeal, with a face reminiscent of the brand’s flagship supercar, the MCPura. Vertically oriented headlights flank a traditional, snout-like grille that proudly wears the Trident emblem.

Sculpted fenders, flowing body lines and the sleek coupé roofline ending in a stubby boot come together cohesively. The boot lid integrates a subtle lip spoiler, while the slim tail-lights borrow cues from the MCPura. 

Quad exhaust tips and striking multi-spoke wheels complete the sporty look. The staggered tyre setup – 265/30 ZR20 at the front and 295/30 ZR21 at the rear – further underlines its performance intent.

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo interior space and comfort - 8/10

The GranTurismo’s cabin has moved with the times into the digital age. You get a digital instrument cluster, a large central touchscreen, a secondary touch panel for climate control and a configurable digital clock that doubles up as a G meter, compass, and more. It looks modern, though purists will miss the analogue dials, classic clock and tactile switchgear of old.

Thankfully, some physical elements remain. The rotary drive-mode selector feels special, and the column-mounted aluminium paddle shifters are beautifully made. Carbon-fibre trim and intricately detailed speaker grilles add a sense of occasion, and if the red leather is too loud for you, there’s a multitude of other options.

That said, the cabin doesn’t quite match expectations at this price. The touchscreen is fiddly and occasionally slow, some switchgear lacks satisfying tactility, and overall material quality falls short of what you’d expect in a car costing upwards of Rs 2.7 crore.

The seats, however, are excellent. They’re ventilated, offer ample adjustment and are extremely comfortable. Storage is limited for a GT: door bins won’t hold large bottles, cupholders are shallow, and the glovebox and centre console are on the smaller side.

Rear seats are usable for adults on shorter journeys. There’s adequate knee and headroom for all but the tallest passengers, and while the glass area is small, the sloping rear windscreen lets in enough light to avoid a claustrophobic feel. Rear occupants also get AC vents, cupholders, charging ports and a ski hatch for access to the boot.

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo features and safety - 8/10

This version gets multiple screens for the instrument cluster, infotainment and climate control. Frameless windows, powered, heated and ventilated seats, air suspension, drive modes, column-mounted paddle shifters and a Sonus Faber sound system are standard. Optional packages add kit like ADAS, surround-view camera, digital inside rear-view mirror, powered tailgate and wireless charging.

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo performance and refinement - 9/10

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The bad news first – there’s no V8 anymore. Instead, the GranTurismo uses Maserati’s in-house 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 ‘Nettuno’ engine. But right off the bat, there’s a lot to love – the V6 sounds delightful, and the pops and crackles from the exhaust lend it a distinctive character.

Interestingly, this engine produces 630hp in the MC20, but it’s detuned to 550hp in the Trofeo. Performance is still anything but lacking. Maserati claims a 0-100kph time of 3.5 seconds; in our tests, it managed 4.1 seconds and hit 160kph in roughly 9 seconds. The 650Nm of torque comes through with a sledgehammer-like whack, and the GranTurismo builds pace relentlessly, feeling deceptively quick.

The 8-speed automatic complements the engine well, especially when driven hard, delivering quick, responsive shifts. A manual mode gives full control, though the fixed column-mounted paddle shifters aren’t ideal for track driving.

Drive modes significantly alter its character. Comfort and GT modes make it relaxed and easygoing, though downshifts can feel slow, often prompting manual intervention. Switch to the sportier settings, and the car sharpens noticeably – throttle responses improve, suspension tightens, gearbox logic becomes more aggressive, and the exhaust note grows more engaging.

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo ride comfort and handling - 8/10

For a performance-focused GT, ride quality on its air suspension feels surprisingly forgiving, especially in Comfort and GT modes. There’s a welcome pliancy that suits Indian roads, though the low-profile tyres and limited ground clearance mean caution is required over potholes and speed breakers. A lift function helps matters to some extent.

You can independently adjust suspension stiffness regardless of drive mode, allowing you to mix comfort and sportiness depending on preference.

While all-wheel-drive systems have a tendency to make a car understeer, the GranTurismo feels surprisingly playful. Select Corsa mode and the ESP is switched off by default, allowing this AWD coupé to behave almost like a rear-wheel-drive machine, willing to step out when pushed hard.

Despite its 1.8-tonne kerb weight, the GranTurismo feels surprisingly agile. Turn-in is sharp, direction changes are quick, and it feels smaller than its size suggests. Braking performance is equally impressive, inspiring confidence at high speeds.

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo price and verdict - 8/10

At Rs 2.7 crore for the Trofeo, the GranTurismo caters to a niche segment. While it might appear expensive at first, it is priced similarly to rivals such as the Porsche 911 GTS and Mercedes-AMG GT. For the price, however, one of the biggest gripes is the interior, which lacks the quality and finesse of its German rivals.

But like all Maseratis, the GranTurismo is about exclusivity, emotional appeal and road presence – and it delivers all three. Add genuinely impressive performance and excellent driving manners, and the GranTurismo will appeal to buyers who want something distinctive rather than the obvious choice.