Compare the2024 Maserati GranTurismoVS 2024 Lexus RC

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

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GranTurismo. But it costs extra on the RC.

The GranTurismo offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RC only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the GranTurismo and the RC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the GranTurismo’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the RC’s camshafts. If the RC’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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

The GranTurismo has more powerful engines than the RC:

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GranTurismo’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RC doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The GranTurismo has a gallon more fuel capacity than the RC (18.5 vs. 17.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GranTurismo’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 RC doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the GranTurismo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RC:

For better traction, the GranTurismo has larger tires than the RC (F:265/30R20 & R:295/30R21 vs. 235/40R19). The GranTurismo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC (F:265/30R20 & R:295/30R21 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

The GranTurismo’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC’s standard 45 series tires. The GranTurismo’s tires are lower profile than the RC F Sport’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GranTurismo has standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RC. The RC’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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

The GranTurismo has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GranTurismo’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 RC doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GranTurismo’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the RC (115.3 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GranTurismo is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RC.

The GranTurismo’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the RC’s (54% to 46%). This gives the GranTurismo more stable handling and braking.

The design of the Maserati GranTurismo amounts to more than styling. The GranTurismo has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the RC (.3 to .31). A more efficient exterior helps the GranTurismo go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GranTurismo get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the GranTurismo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The GranTurismo has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC (89 vs. 83.8).

The GranTurismo has a larger trunk than the RC (10.9 vs. 10.4 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GranTurismo’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GranTurismo also offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper. The RC doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RC, the GranTurismo 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.

The GranTurismo offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RC doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GranTurismo’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 RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GranTurismo offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RC doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GranTurismo also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The GranTurismo has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The RC doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Maserati GranTurismo has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The RC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.