Compare the2024 Maserati GranTurismo FolgoreVS 2024 Lexus RC

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GranTurismo Folgore 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, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the GranTurismo Folgore. But it costs extra on the RC.

Both the GranTurismo Folgore and the RC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

The Maserati GranTurismo Folgore weighs 1091 to 1245 pounds more than the Lexus RC. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The GranTurismo Folgore’s electric motors produces 510 more horsepower (751 vs. 241) and 738 lbs.-ft. more torque (996 vs. 258) than the RC 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GranTurismo Folgore’s electric motors produces 491 more horsepower (751 vs. 260) and 760 lbs.-ft. more torque (996 vs. 236) than the RC 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The GranTurismo Folgore’s electric motors produces 440 more horsepower (751 vs. 311) and 716 lbs.-ft. more torque (996 vs. 280) than the RC 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the GranTurismo Folgore gets better mileage than the RC:

The GranTurismo Folgore can travel with zero emissions for 242 miles. The RC can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the GranTurismo Folgore’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GranTurismo Folgore, as a pure battery electric vehicle, has no need to “idle” its motors in traffic: they only burn power when moving. The GranTurismo Folgore’s climate control systems still work completely when the vehicle is stopped. The RC still runs its internal combustion engine whenever it’s stopped, burning excess fuel.

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore higher (10 out of 10) than the Lexus RC (5). This means the GranTurismo Folgore produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RC every 15,000 miles.

The GranTurismo Folgore’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 Folgore’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RC:

For better traction, the GranTurismo Folgore has larger tires than the RC (F:265/30R20 & R:295/30R21 vs. 235/40R19). The GranTurismo Folgore’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 Folgore’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 Folgore’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 Folgore 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 Folgore 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 Folgore has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GranTurismo Folgore’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 Folgore’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 Folgore is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RC.

The GranTurismo Folgore’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the RC’s (54% to 46%). This gives the GranTurismo Folgore more stable handling and braking.

The design of the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore amounts to more than styling. The GranTurismo Folgore has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is significantly lower than the RC (.3 to .31). A more efficient exterior helps the GranTurismo Folgore go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GranTurismo Folgore get better fuel mileage.

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GranTurismo Folgore’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GranTurismo Folgore 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 Folgore 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 Folgore offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, 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 Folgore’s cruise control switch is lit from behind, making it plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RC’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The GranTurismo Folgore’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.

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

The GranTurismo Folgore 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 Folgore has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The RC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.