Ready for Its Moment in the Sun: We Drive the Updated 2027 Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati's brand recognition among affluent U.S. car buyers is struggling. The Italian brand's wares are overlooked by shoppers who are more likely to choose a Porsche or a Mercedes. But Maserati's latest round of refreshed vehicles marks a new era for the automaker, one headlined by much better build quality and a renewed focus on luxury.
The volume-selling model is the compact Grecale SUV, and the halo model is the MCPura mid-engined supercar. These two create a wide delta between the brand's $80,000-ish entry point and its $300,000-ish top end, but there are cars to help span that gap. The GranTurismo coupe and GranCabrio convertible occupy the middle ground here, staking out their claim in the $160K-to-$180K price range. And we just had a chance to test-drive the GranCabrio in northern Italy.
The 2027 model year brings some changes for the two Grans, including some styling alterations that give their shared front fascia a little more bite. There are a handful of revisions inside too, including a new configurable digital dashboard clock and updated buttons for the dash-mounted gear selector. This is what we'd call a light refresh, but nevertheless, the pair nail their grand-touring mission.
Under the hood lies a version of the same Nettuno twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine that powers every other gas-burning Maserati. In the Gran's base trim, the V-6 makes a stout 483 horsepower, but in the Trofeo trim we drove, the engine is tuned up to 582 ponies—up 40 from last year. Not only does the boosted engine send the GranCabrio Trofeo rocketing down the road, but it sounds great doing so. Fans of Maserati's previous-generation V-8 may miss its baritone burble, but the V-6 has a delightful character all its own, and the 2027 Trofeo model gains an active sport exhaust that enhances the sound further.
While northern Italy's roads aren't in as bad of shape as our native Michigan byways, we were able to test the GranCabrio's ride over some pockmarked pavement, and it admirably soaked up imperfections in its most comfortable mode, GT. In the firmer Sport and Corsa settings, more bumps were transmitted into the cabin, but it never felt severe.
The GranCabrio's handling is nicely balanced, straddling the line between sports-car sharpness and grand-touring luxury. We found Sport mode to be the sweet spot for all of the GranCabrio's dynamic elements. It provides a slight heft to the steering weight, stiffens the adaptive dampers for spirited driving, and sharpens the throttle response. With the top up or down, the GranCabrio is an excellent cruiser and does a convincing impression of a Bentley Continental GTC—a grand-touring convertible that sells for far more than this Maserati.
Interior build quality is great, and Maserati has chosen fine materials and an elegant interior design. The GranCabrio's seats are very supportive and comfortable, but there is no massage function. Those with particularly long legs will find there are no thigh extensions either. While forward visibility is great, the tall rear deck that houses the convertible top obscures rear sightlines a bit, which takes some getting used to.
A pair of large aluminum paddle shifters sits behind a restyled steering wheel, and they effect sharp shifts from the eight-speed automatic transmission, often accompanied by a cheeky exhaust rumble. The new drive-selector buttons on the center stack look nicer than the ones they replace, and metallic switches definitely feel nicer than plastic ones. Despite the upgraded appearance, these buttons are still a low point; when you press one, the whole array moves in unison.
The climate-control touch panel below the infotainment screen can be frustrating, as it's difficult to read in direct sunlight with the top down. It's also easy to accidentally touch one of the controls when you go to change from, say, Drive to Reverse, resulting in unintended changes to the settings. Unfortunately, the convertible top's operation resides on that same touch panel. To raise or lower the cloth top, you have to swipe and hold the on-screen control. It's fussy and hard to do while you're rolling in traffic. With the top up, the cabin is hushed, and with it down, the wind is well-enough controlled that your hat isn't likely to blow off at highway speeds; without a hat, your hair may still get ruffled though.
The 2027 GranCabrio's minor changes aren't likely to make a big impact on buying decisions, but both the GC and its coupe sibling strike us as cars that deserve more recognition among luxury buyers. Until the market finally comes around, the Maserati siblings will likely remain an if-you-know-you-know choice in the segment.
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Specifications
Specifications
2027 Maserati GranCabrio
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door convertible
PRICE
Base: GranCabrio, $160,495; Trofeo, $178,695
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2992 cm3
Power: 483 or 582 hp
Torque: 443 or 479 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 115.3 in
Length: 195.6–195.9 in
Width: 77.0 in
Height: 53.7 in
Trunk Volume: 5–6 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4500 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.2–3.7 sec
100 mph: 7.7–8.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.5–12.2 sec
Top Speed: 186–196 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/26 mpg
Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.