2025 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo First Drive Review: A Grand Tourer for the Modern Era

For many car enthusiasts, the Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo represents the pinnacle of grand touring luxury and performance. Yet, for all its power and style, many buyers may never unleash its full potential. Instead of tearing down high-speed highways, scattering slower vehicles in its wake, most GranTurismo Trofeos will glide quietly through affluent neighborhoods, headed for brunch spots rather than autobahns. But make no mistake, this 2+2 coupe has the heart of a beast under its sophisticated exterior, and it’s built to deliver an exhilarating experience that most will never fully appreciate.

What Is the Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo?

Nestled in Italy’s heartland, Umbria may not have the fame of its neighboring Tuscany, but it offers equally breathtaking landscapes and culture. It was the perfect backdrop for testing the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo, which we picked up from the Maserati headquarters in Modena. As we hit the open road, the Trofeo felt ready to take on the rolling hills and autostradas with ease.

Under the hood, the GranTurismo Trofeo houses a detuned version of Maserati’s ferocious 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V-6 engine, shared with the mid-engine MC20 supercar. Though slightly toned down for grand touring, the engine still packs a punch, delivering 542 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this powerplant propels the nearly 4,000-pound coupe from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. If you can find the proper stretch of road, the Trofeo will hit a top speed of 199 mph, effortlessly showcasing its performance pedigree.

Design and Features: A Sight to Behold

The 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo visually stands out with its refined yet aggressive styling. Subtle side skirts, sleek front and rear bumpers, and larger wheels differentiate it from the Modena variant. The Trofeo exudes an air of understated luxury, with proportions conveying equal measure of speed and grace. Its long hood, fast roofline, and muscular rear fenders give it a stance that commands attention, whether parked or in motion.

Step inside, and the interior reflects the same blend of luxury and performance. Perforated leather seats with a herringbone pattern provide a comfortable yet sporty feel. Modern tech is integrated seamlessly with a 12.2-inch configurable digital dash, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and an 8.8-inch comfort control screen. Additional features like the “Hey Maserati” voice activation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto ensure the car is equipped for the digital age. One minor downside: the gear selection buttons between the screens feel somewhat flimsy and lack the intuitive design one might expect in a car of this caliber.

Driving Experience: The Essence of Grand Touring

Driving the GranTurismo Trofeo is an experience steeped in tradition. In the 1950s and ’60s, before private jets became the norm, powerful grand tourers like this were the fastest and most luxurious way to travel across Europe. The 2025 GranTurismo continues that legacy with an interior designed for long, comfortable journeys. The front seats are supportive and plush, and while the rear seats are better suited for short trips, they can accommodate passengers when necessary.

Despite modern-day speed restrictions on Italy’s autostradas, we had the chance to test the Trofeo’s capabilities. The V-6 remains relatively calm even at high speeds, turning just 2,250 rpm at 100 mph in top gear. GT mode, one of the car’s available drive modes, is ideal for relaxed cruising. In this mode, one of the engine’s cylinder banks shuts down, enhancing fuel efficiency—though we managed just 18.2 mpg over 195 miles of mostly highway driving.

For a more dynamic experience, Corsa mode unleashes the Trofeo’s full potential, allowing drivers to explore its rear-wheel-drive character. The car feels balanced, responsive, and eager to accelerate out of corners. However, this mode is best suited for roads with space to push the limits, as the car’s rear end can get twitchy under aggressive acceleration. Sport mode offers a more balanced setup for winding roads, keeping the engine in its sweet spot above 4,000 rpm.

The Drawbacks: Imperfections in the Journey

While the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo impresses in many areas, it has flaws. The most notable issue lies in the suspension tuning. At legal road speeds, the suspension feels a bit too stiff, with fast vertical motions that can become tiresome over rough surfaces. In GT mode, the ride softens, but the suspension still lacks the finesse needed to smooth out uneven roads completely. Comfort and control should be better harmonized for a car at this level.

Additionally, while generally smooth, the automatic transmission can produce abrupt shifts in Sport mode, particularly during full-throttle upshifts. This thumping shift shock can be avoided by feathering the throttle, but it detracts from an otherwise polished driving experience.