Compare the2023 BMW X3 MVS 2023 Maserati Grecale

The X3 M’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 M 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 M 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 M’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 X3 M 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 M has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the Grecale.

Both the X3 M 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, 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 X3 M 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 M’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 M 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 M’s warranty.

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.

The X3 M has more powerful engines than the Grecale:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3 M’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 stopping power the X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grecale:

For better traction, the X3 M has larger tires than the Grecale (F:255/45R20 & R:265/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The X3 M’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 X3 M has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Grecale GT.

The X3 M 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 greater off-road capability the X3 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grecale Trofeo (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X3 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 M’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Grecale (8.1 vs. 8 inches).

The X3 M is 4.8 inches shorter than the Grecale, making the X3 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

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

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