Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Maserati Grecale

The X3’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 X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Grecale doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, 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 X3’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Grecale.

The X3 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Grecale’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the Grecale.

Both the X3 and the Grecale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and 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 X3 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 X3’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Grecale’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Maserati doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Grecale.

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 30 points higher than the Grecale.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Grecale isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Maserati vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 90 more problems per 100 vehicles, Maserati is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Grecale:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Maserati only offers a regenerative brake system on the Grecale GT/Modena.

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the Grecale (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grecale GT’s standard 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Grecale doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 offers an optional 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 X3’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Grecale’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grecale Trofeo (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The BMW X3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 250 pounds less than the Maserati Grecale.

The X3 is 4.9 inches shorter than the Grecale, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Grecale doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The Grecale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Grecale (28.7 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Grecale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Grecale doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Grecale doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Maserati Grecale by over 125 to one during 2022.