Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2023 Maserati Grecale

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Maserati Grecale doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Grecale doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The RX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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 RX’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 RX 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 RX has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the Grecale and the Grecale’s Rear Cross Path does not include automatic braking.

Both the RX and the Grecale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 50 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grecale has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Maserati covers the Grecale. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Grecale ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Grecale’s (6/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 2 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RX’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 RX’s reliability 40 points higher than the Grecale.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Maserati vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Maserati is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Grecale:

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Grecale can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Grecale (17.8 vs. 16.9 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RX higher (7 out of 10) than the Maserati Grecale (5). This means the RX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Grecale every 15,000 miles.

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Grecale doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the RX F Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grecale:

The RX 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 handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.4 inches wider in the front than on the Grecale.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 5.4 feet tighter than the Grecale’s (35.4 feet vs. 40.8 feet). The RX’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Grecale’s (38.8 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grecale Trofeo (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RX 350h’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the Grecale (8.2 vs. 8 inches).

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

The RX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Grecale (29.6 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Grecale doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Grecale doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Grecale doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Maserati Grecale isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Grecale isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus RX outsold the Maserati Grecale by almost 183 to one during 2022.