Compare the2025 Audi new SQ5 SportbackVS 2025 Maserati Grecale

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 new SQ5 Sportback 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 new SQ5 Sportback has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Grecale doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The new SQ5 Sportback has standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically apply 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The new SQ5 Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Grecale doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The new SQ5 Sportback’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 new SQ5 Sportback 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 new SQ5 Sportback has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist and automatically engage the brakes. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the Grecale and the Grecale’s Rear Cross Path does not include automatic braking.

Both the new SQ5 Sportback and the Grecale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and available around view monitors.

The new SQ5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Grecale’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 3 times as many Audi dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the new SQ5 Sportback’s warranty.

The new SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 66 more horsepower (362 vs. 296) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 332) than the Grecale GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The new SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 37 more horsepower (362 vs. 325) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 332) than the Grecale Modena’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the new SQ5 Sportback gets better fuel mileage than the Grecale Trofeo 3.0 turbo V6 running its gasoline engine (19 city/26 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi new SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Grecale requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The new SQ5 Sportback offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Grecale doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the new SQ5 Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grecale:

For better traction, the new SQ5 Sportback has larger tires than the Grecale (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The new SQ5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grecale GT’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the new SQ5 Sportback has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Grecale GT.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the new SQ5 Sportback 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 front and rear suspension of the new SQ5 Sportback 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.

For better maneuverability, the new SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Grecale Folgore’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The new SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Grecale’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

The new SQ5 Sportback is 5.1 inches shorter than the Grecale, making the new SQ5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the new SQ5 Sportback’s rear seats recline. The Grecale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The new SQ5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Grecale (25.4 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the new SQ5 Sportback 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The new SQ5 Sportback has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Grecale doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the new SQ5 Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Grecale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The new SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Grecale.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi new SQ5 Sportback has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Grecale.

The new SQ5 Sportback’s Park Assist 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 Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Maserati Grecale by over 17 to one during 2024.