Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Maserati Grecale

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

Both the X5 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 available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 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’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 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’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 X5’s reliability 30 points higher than the Grecale.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize 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.

The X5 has more powerful engines than the Grecale:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Grecale:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’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 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 Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grecale:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Grecale (265/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Grecale (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:295/40R20).

The X5’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. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Grecale’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Grecale’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 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 X5 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.

The X5 M50i offers 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 X5 M50i 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’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Grecale (117.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.5 inches wider in the front and .3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Grecale.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grecale Trofeo (8.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the Grecale (8.7 vs. 8 inches).

The front grille of the X5 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.

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Grecale can only carry 5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5’s middle row seats recline. The Grecale’s rear seats don’t recline.

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

The X5’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.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Grecale’s (5952 vs. 5071 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Maserati Grecale is only 5516 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Grecale, the X5 M50i has a 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 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 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Grecale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5 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’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 X5 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 X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X5 outsold the Maserati Grecale by almost 157 to one during 2022.