2024 Maserati GranCabrio Review: Open-Top Luxury Perfected
Maserati's new GranCabrio convertible brings the Nettuno V6, stunning design, and pure driving joy to the open road. Here's our in-depth review.
The 2024 Maserati GranCabrio is the convertible sibling of the gorgeous GranTurismo coupe, and it might just be the finest open-top GT money can buy. With its race-derived Nettuno V6, lush interior, and head-turning Italian styling, the GranCabrio Trofeo delivers the kind of driving experience that makes every hairpin feel like a privilege.
What Is the 2024 Maserati GranCabrio?
Maserati unveiled the all-new GranCabrio in February 2024, marking the return of the brand’s convertible grand tourer after a multi-year hiatus. Where the previous GranCabrio was based on aging architecture, this new model shares the Giorgio platform with the latest GranTurismo coupe — a platform that finally gives Maserati a proper foundation for a true GT.
At launch, the GranCabrio is available exclusively in Trofeo trim, powered by the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 found in the MC20 supercar. That said, Maserati has confirmed a fully electric Folgore variant is on the way, bringing the Trident’s first convertibly open-air EV experience.
Engine and Performance
The heart of the GranCabrio Trofeo is Maserati’s Nettuno engine — a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that borrows technology from Formula 1. With 542 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque on tap, it hats the MC20’s output figure while motivatedly moving a car that’s heavier than the mid-engine supercar.
| Specification | GranCabrio Trofeo |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 (Nettuno) |
| Output | 542 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 460 lb-ft @ 3,000–5,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 0–60 mph | ~3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 mph (electronically limited) |
| Weight | ~4,400 lbs (estimated) |
The eight-speed automatic gearbox is a torque-converter unit — not dual-clutch — and that’s the right call for a GT. It shifts smoothly in comfort mode and snaps off quick, snappy ratios when you select Sport or Corsa. The all-wheel-drive system sends power primarily to the rear wheels, only adding front grip when slip is detected.
Plant the throttle and the GranCabrio hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in roughly 3.5 seconds — genuinely quick by any measure. The sound, though, is what you’ll remember. Maserati’s twin-scroll turbo setup and cross-plane crank firing pattern give the Nettuno engine a musical, almost theatrical exhaust note that rivals at this price can’t match.
Design: Italian Drama at Its Finest
Let’s address the obvious: the GranCabrio is gorgeous. With the fabric roof folded into its well behind the seats, the long hood, muscular haunches, and dramatic LED headlights conspire to make this one of the best-looking cars on any road.
The fabric roof itself is a sophisticated multi-layer design that Maserati says improves acoustic comfort and thermal insulation over the previous soft-top. It can raise or lower in approximately 14 seconds, and can be operated at speeds up to 30 mph for those caught in unexpected weather.
Up front, the hexagonal grille bears the iconic Trident logo, flanked by the aggressive slashes of the LED daytime running lights. The rear end features a clean horizontal taillight bar that connects the two clusters — a design element shared with the GranTurismo coupe. The wide diffuser and quad exhaust outlets reinforce the Trofeo’s performance intent.
Color Palette
Maserati’s available palette includes some standout options beyond the usual white and black:
- Bianco Astro (matte white) — dramatic, attention-demanding
- Grigio LT Nordico — a cool grey that highlights the body lines
- Rosso GranTurismo — the classic Maserati red
- Blu Nobile — deep navy with metallic flake
One thing worth noting: many of the more exclusive colors add significant cost. Some buyers report $5,000–$10,000 premiums for the more dramatic finishes.
Interior and Technology
Slide behind the wheel and the GranCabrio continues to impress. The cabin borrows heavily from the GranTurismo coupe, which means a driver-focused layout built around Maserati’s 12.3-inch horizontal touchscreen for infotainment, a smaller 8.8-inch climate control display below it, and a conventional (and handsome) analog clock — the traditional “Maserati clock” — perched atop the dashboard.
Materials throughout are genuinely premium. Maserati uses full-grain leather on the seats and door panels, real aluminum or carbon fiber trim (depending on spec), and soft-touch plastics in all the usual places. The seats themselves are excellent — comfortable enough for long highway stetches, supportive enough to hold you in place when the road turns twisty.
With the roof down, visibility is excellent. The windshield frame is slim, and the seating position gives you a commanding view of the road ahead. Rear seat space is, predictably, limited — this is a 2+2, not a four-door saloon. Adults can sit in the back for short trips, but the GranCabrio is really a car for two.
Tech Features
The GranCabrio’s technology suite includes:
- Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) infotainment system with custom UI
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Amazon Alexa integration
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- 360-degree camera system
- Head-up display (optional)
- Premium 21-speaker Sonus faber sound system
- Heated and ventilated seats (front)
- Heated steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
Driving Experience: What It’s Like on the Open Road
This is where the GranCabrio Trofeo truly shines. On a flowing country road with the roof dropped and the engine singing, few experiences match it.
The adaptive suspension does an admirable job of balancing sport and comfort. In Comfort mode, the GranCabrio soaks up broken pavement without fuss, maintaining the composed, refined character you’d expect from a grand tourer. Rotate the drive mode dial to Sport or Corsa, and the damping firms up noticeably — body roll reduces, the steering weights up, and the exhaust valves open for a more aggressive, barky soundtrack.
The steering is quick and reasonably communicative, if not quite as telepathic as a Porsche 911’s. There’s a fluidity to the way the GranCabrio changes direction that makes you feel like you’re dancing with it, not fighting it.
Braking is strong, thanks to the standard Brembo calipers with 380mm front rotors. The pedal feel is firm and progressive, inspiring confidence on steep descents or repeated hard braking from high speed.
And then there’s the roof-down experience. At legal speeds on the highway, wind turbulence is well-controlled — conversation is easy, and you don’t feel battered by the airflow. Maserati fitted a wind deflector behind the rear seats that dramatically reduces cabin noise when the top is stowed, and an optional neck warmer vent system heats the back of your neck in cooler weather.
Pricing and Trims
The 2024 Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo starts at approximately $162,000–$203,000, depending on options and destination. The wide range reflects Maserati’s extensive customization program — everything from carbon-ceramic brakes to different leather grades to exclusive exterior colors can push the as-tested price well past $200,000.
| Trim Level | Engine | Starting MSRP (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| GranCabrio Trofeo | 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 (542 hp) | ~$162,000 |
| GranCabrio Folgore (future) | Tri-motor EV (~750 hp) | TBD |
Standard features on the Trofeo include:
- Nettuno V6 engine
- 20-inch wheels
- Full leather interior
- 12.3-inch infotainment display
- 8.8-inch climate display
- Sonus faber audio (14-speaker)
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- All-wheel drive
- Adaptive air suspension
- Brembo brakes
Notable options include:
- Carbon-ceramic brakes (~$9,000)
- 21-inch wheels
- Head-up display
- Neck warmer ventilation
- Extended leather interior
- Maserati’s premium driver assistance package
The Competition
The GranCabrio Trofeo doesn’t have an obvious direct rival — few convertibles offer this exact combination of rear-biased AWD, V6 power, and Italian grand touring heritage. The closest competitors:
| Competitor | Engine | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 8 Series Convertible | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 (523 hp) | ~$110,000 |
| Mercedes-AMG SL 63 | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 (577 hp) | ~$165,000 |
| Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet | 3.0L Twin-Turbo Flat-6 (379 hp) | ~$135,000 |
| Aston Martin Vantage Roadster | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 (665 hp) | ~$185,000 |
Against this field, the GranCabrio Trofeo’s advantage is its exclusivity and sonorous V6 soundtrack. It’s not the fastest, the most practical, or the most technologically advanced. But it might be the most characterful.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning Italian design — genuinely one of the best-looking cars on the road
- The Nettuno V6 is a masterpiece — powerful, refined, and musical
- High-quality interior with excellent seats
- Roof-down refinement is genuinely impressive for a convertible
- All-wheel drive provides confidence in inclement weather
- Exclusivity — you’re unlikely to see another one at the cars and coffee
Cons
- Limited rear-seat practicality
- Expensive when optioned
- No dual-clutch automatic option — the torque-converter is smooth but not as engaging as a PDK
- Electric Folgore variant not yet available
- Maserati’s reliability and dealer network remain concerns versus German rivals
- Fuel economy is inevitably poor — expect low-to-mid teens in combined driving
Rating: 8.5/10
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