Compare the2024 Maserati GrecaleVS 2024 Acura RDX

Both the Grecale and RDX have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Grecale has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The RDX’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Grecale has standard Active Park Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Grecale’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The RDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Grecale and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The RDX’s redline is at 7000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Grecale has a 5800 RPM redline.

The battery on the Grecale is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Grecale’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RDX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Maserati vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

The Grecale GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 24 more horsepower (296 vs. 272) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Grecale Modena’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (325 vs. 272) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Grecale Trofeo’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 251 more horsepower (523 vs. 272) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Grecale GT 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Acura RDX:

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Grecale Trofeo’s fuel efficiency. The RDX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Grecale GT/Modena’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Grecale Trofeo’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RDX doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Grecale’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

The Grecale’s optional 255/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RDX A-Spec’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Grecale offers optional 21-inch wheels. The RDX’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Grecale has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Grecale’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RDX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grecale’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the RDX (114.2 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Grecale is 2 inches wider in the rear than on the RDX.

The Grecale’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (5071 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura RDX is only 1500 pounds. The Grecale offers up to a 5516 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the Grecale uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RDX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Grecale is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Grecale’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Grecale’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Grecale to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grecale offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Grecale’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The RDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Grecale offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The RDX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.