Compare the2023 Audi SQ5VS 2023 Maserati Grecale

The SQ5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Grecale doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The SQ5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grecale doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The SQ5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Grecale.

The SQ5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Grecale’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the SQ5 has standard rear cross-path warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the Grecale.

Both the SQ5 and the Grecale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grecale has not been tested, yet.

The SQ5’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Grecale’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Audi dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the SQ5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Maserati vehicles. With 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Audi higher than Maserati.

The SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 49 more horsepower (349 vs. 300) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 332) than the Grecale GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 24 more horsepower (349 vs. 325) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 332) than the Grecale Modena’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Grecale requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Grecale (18.5 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the SQ5 has larger tires than the Grecale (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The SQ5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grecale GT’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Grecale GT.

The SQ5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Grecale; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Grecale’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the SQ5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grecale Trofeo (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the SQ5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The SQ5’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the Grecale (8.2 vs. 8 inches).

The SQ5 is 6.5 inches shorter than the Grecale, making the SQ5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the SQ5’s rear seats recline. The Grecale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The SQ5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Grecale (25.9 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Grecale, the SQ5 offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the SQ5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the Grecale.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Grecale doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the SQ5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Grecale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The SQ5 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Grecale doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Maserati Grecale by almost 120 to one during 2022.