Compare the2023 BMW X5 MVS 2023 Maserati Grecale

The X5 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 X5 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 X5 M’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 X5 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 X5 M has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the Grecale.

Both the X5 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 and rearview cameras.

The BMW X5 M weighs 986 to 1149 pounds more than the Maserati Grecale. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 176 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grecale has not been tested, yet.

The X5 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 X5 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 X5 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 X5 M has more powerful engines than the Grecale:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5 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.

The X5 M has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Grecale (21.9 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the X5 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grecale:

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the Grecale (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. 235/55R19). The X5 M’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Grecale (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:295/40R20).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grecale GT’s standard 55 series tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the Grecale’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Grecale GT. The X5 M’s optional 22-inch rear wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Grecale.

The X5 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.

The X5 M has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Grecale doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the X5 M uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Grecale, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 M offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Maserati doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Grecale.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Grecale (117 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 3.1 inches wider in the front than on the Grecale.

For greater off-road capability the X5 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grecale Trofeo (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X5 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5 M Competition’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Grecale (8.4 vs. 8 inches).

The front grille of the X5 M 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 X5 M’s rear seats recline. The Grecale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Grecale (33.9 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Grecale’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Grecale, the X5 M has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 M 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 M to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Grecale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5 M has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Grecale.

The X5 M offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Grecale.

The X5 M’s 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 X5 outsold the Maserati Grecale by almost 157 to one during 2022.