Levante [Official] Maserati Levante
- Thread starter JHF
- Start date
The Maserati Levante (Tipo M161) is an executive crossover SUV produced by Maserati at the Mirafiori factory in Turin from 2016. The Levante went on sale in Europe in May 2016, and in North America in September 2016. The Levante was named after a warm, easterly wind that blows in the western Mediterranean Sea, southern France, down to the Strait of Gibraltar.
sako97
Autotechnik Ace
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Not to mention the cramped cabin and boot. Then there is also the lack of basic safety features found in comparable and lesser SUVs; Japanese, American, and German. Very rarely do I regard a modern car be, frankly, junk, especially when you consider the price (a well equipped Levante S is about $100k).
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To understand better, I would like to know:
How exactly is the interior a leather/carbon wrapped Chrysler?
Why do you say it is a cramped interior?
What assistance systems are missing from the Levante compared to a Toyota?
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- Name
- Marcus
The switch gear/controls, interfaces and parts are all out of the Chrysler parts bin. It's a nice vehicle for sure, just not worth the fully loaded price IMO. The red leather and carbon fiber help but they don't erase the obvious parts sharing with cars like the Chrysler 300.
M
M
sako97
Autotechnik Ace
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I spent a bit of time viewing the Levante, trying to change my preexisting opinions of the new crop of Maserati and I just wasn't convinced.
I was unable to fit in Levante's back seat with the front seats moved forward. The Levante's boot is a bit less spacious than a Macan. Under a thin layer of carbon fibre or veneer is hard plastic. Opening the cup holder cover tells the story. However, a feature Maserati always gets right is the quality and feel of the large shift paddles.
Blind spot monitor, Lane departure warning, forward collision, and park assist are all a part of a tech package the will be delayed until the end of 2017, due to incomplete R&D. Neither the Quattroporte, nor the Ghibili have these features yet.
A run of the mill Camry has 10 airbags while the Levante has 6.
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I don't know how tall you are but I am 6 1 and I was actually surprised how much room I had in the back even with the Panorama roof. Much bigger than F Pace and Macan and I would add bigger than X6 although the bottom seat cushion is a little short in Levante.
Blind spot monitor, Lane departure warning, forward collision, and park assist are all coming to Levante at the start of sale. Not sure where you have your info from.
Can you judge a car's safety based on the number of airbags? A Tesla Model S has 8 airbags (OPT) and is therefore less safe than a Camry? I've had a Camry...thank god I never crashed.
Merc, do you know how many parts are shared in the interior between Chrysler and Levante?
sako97
Autotechnik Ace
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Maserati had a number of reps on hand to answer questions. Msrp figures and the options list were made available at the dealer preview ahead of the April sale start.
The Zenga package, with premium leather from Ermenegildo Zegna, is higher end launch edition for the Levante S, equipped with all options, including surround view, Bowers & Wilkins, and adaptive cruise control. Missing, however, was the safety package.
Then there's also the imminent launch of the Levante Plug-in hybrid, sourcing it's powerplant from the new Chrysler Pacfica minivan. Maserati's CEO goes on record stating that it'd more madvantageous to source the powerplant from FCA rather than having to undergo R&D.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/maserati-levante-to-add-plug-in-hybrid-model/
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- Marcus
No, not how many specifically, but they are there. The controls, nav screen etc are all Chrysler interfaces.
M
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Not all the controls are from the Chrysler parts-bin. The award winning UConnect system is present using a different UI skin (think Roll Royce's modified iDrive interface) and the window switches/headlight switch are right from Chrysler. There's actually plenty of differentiation though.
This is what I have heard as well. Also I found the back seat to be just fine.
In the U.S. at least this car should be debuting with these options available. Also Blind Spot alert and Rear Cross Protection were available for U.S. Ghibli's starting with the 2016 model year. All in all, this car is still sadly behind in technology from the get go. Gotta love those looks though!
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- Marcus
Not all the controls are from the Chrysler parts-bin. The award winning UConnect system is present using a different UI skin (think Roll Royce's modified iDrive interface) and the window switches/headlight switch are right from Chrysler. There's actually plenty of differentiation though.
This is what I have heard as well. Also I found the back seat to be just fine.
In the U.S. at least this car should be debuting with these options available. Also Blind Spot alert and Rear Cross Protection were available for U.S. Ghibli's starting with the 2016 model year. All in all, this car is still sadly behind in technology from the get go. Gotta love those looks though!
I didn't say that everything was from Chrysler and beyond that the overall design just doesn't say 70K+ truck IMO.
M
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Did some research and only about 200 of the 7000+ parts are shared between Chrysler and the Levante. So I would say that isn't much considering Lamborghini shares 5 times that much with Audi.
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- Derek
Is it possible for you to share more info with us, maybe give us an idea of the type of parts that are shared between the two brands.
KiwiRob
Tire Trailblazer
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I
I could happily have both of these vehicles in my garage, both are without a doubt (IMO) the best looking in their respective classes.
I could happily have both of these vehicles in my garage, both are without a doubt (IMO) the best looking in their respective classes.
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- Marcus
It really doesn't matter how many my friend. The problem is that the ones you see are shared and the overall design of the interior has the same hard points as the Chrysler 300. I no problem with parts sharing, long it doesn't look like the parts or design is shared. That is how you do the economies of scale thing correctly.
M
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
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- Rainer
Here’s your 2017 Maserati Levante SUV ordering guide (USA)
If you’re in the market for a brand-new luxury SUV and haven’t made up your mind yet on an existing model already on sale, then the Maserati Levante will likely be on your shopping list this year.
We already know that Maserati’s first effort in the segment will launch in late June in two guises, the $72,000 base model with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 345 horses, and the $83,000 ‘S’ that gets a 424hp version of the same engine. Both are paired to a standard 8-speed automatic and Maserati’s “Q4” all-wheel drive system that can transfer torque between the axles instantaneously when needed.
What Maseratilevanteforum member Maserati_Matt offers us today is the preliminary dealer ordering guide that gives us an insight on what the Italian brand plans to charge for various extras, packages and such – though, keep in mind that these are believed to be estimates, not final prices.
Still, it’s an interesting read with the PDF showing that Maserati will offer various packages, including the Luxury Zegna for around $8,000 on the base model and $7,000 on the ‘S’ variant, and the Sport Package that bundles features like 20-inch rims and red brake calipers for $6,000 and $5,000 respectively on the aforementioned editions.
The dealer guide also mentions that Maserati expects the Levante’s core competition to include luxury SUVs priced between $50,000 to $90,000 in the USA, including the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 and X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe, Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7 and Infiniti’s QX70.
Photo Gallery: car scoops
If you’re in the market for a brand-new luxury SUV and haven’t made up your mind yet on an existing model already on sale, then the Maserati Levante will likely be on your shopping list this year.
We already know that Maserati’s first effort in the segment will launch in late June in two guises, the $72,000 base model with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 345 horses, and the $83,000 ‘S’ that gets a 424hp version of the same engine. Both are paired to a standard 8-speed automatic and Maserati’s “Q4” all-wheel drive system that can transfer torque between the axles instantaneously when needed.
What Maseratilevanteforum member Maserati_Matt offers us today is the preliminary dealer ordering guide that gives us an insight on what the Italian brand plans to charge for various extras, packages and such – though, keep in mind that these are believed to be estimates, not final prices.
Still, it’s an interesting read with the PDF showing that Maserati will offer various packages, including the Luxury Zegna for around $8,000 on the base model and $7,000 on the ‘S’ variant, and the Sport Package that bundles features like 20-inch rims and red brake calipers for $6,000 and $5,000 respectively on the aforementioned editions.
The dealer guide also mentions that Maserati expects the Levante’s core competition to include luxury SUVs priced between $50,000 to $90,000 in the USA, including the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 and X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe, Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7 and Infiniti’s QX70.
Photo Gallery: car scoops
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
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Interesting. They better put that glorious V8 in there!
2018 Maserati Levante GTS @ Top Speed
Maserati Levante GTS
Maserati’s full-size luxury performance SUV was first unveiled as the Kubang concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2011. The production model was then officially unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March. When it finally broke cover, the details were impressive – the exterior was pure Italian premium goodness, the cabin was opulent and well appointed, and a good dose of adrenaline was waiting under the hood. However, it’s looking like an even more exciting Levante is just over the horizon, and we think it’ll have a meaner look, more driver’s goodies inside, and two additional turbocharged cylinders.
So where would we get a crazy idea like that? Well, back in April, Autoblog asked Maserati if it could fit its top-spec 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8, the same powerplant it shoehorned into the Quattroporte GTS, into its first-ever SUV. The answer was an unequivocal “yes.” What’s more, Davide Danesin, the head of Maserati vehicle programs, reported that the Trident already had a prototype of the combo in hand, leading high-performance SUV enthusiasts everywhere to begin salivating uncontrollably. And while it’s still possible Maserati will axe the project outright, odds are a Levante GTS will become a thing sooner or later.
In anticipation of that day, we created the following rendering and speculative review.
Exterior
To help it stand out from the standard Levante, the GTS model gets a selection of unique styling additions. The most noticeable difference is the front fascia, where we find a lower intake that is widened and extended, unlike the bisected lower intake on the standard model. This lower intake receives a honeycomb grille insert, which is finished in glossy black, a nice offset to the exterior body panels. Above the widely grinning lower grille are two fog lights that are deeply set into the bumper, almost like dimples. Near the ground, we find an extended front splitter, most likely made from a composite material.
The characteristic Trident badge is front and center in the upper intake, bookended on either side by four slates finished in a dark coloration. A single chrome strip runs along the topmost edge of the grille, leading the eye into LED daytime running lights in the front projectors.
The look is much more assertive, trading roundness for sharp edges and adding a good amount of GT-inspired aggression.
These features set the right angle to give the Levante GTS an aggressive, forward-leaning demeanor. Higher up are hood lines that give the front end a sharp, pointed look.
Moving to the profile, we find a trio of the trademark Maserati fender vents. Beyond these are revised side-view mirrors, which are sharper and smaller, coming to an almost blade-like tip. The mirror cap finish is black, a color that’s repeated in the side skirt extensions at the bottom. The window surrounds are made from polished chrome.
In back, there’s a trailing edge roof spoiler, while below the hatch, there are quad exhaust tips set in a carbon fiber diffuser that gets the Levante just a little closer to the ground.
Overall, the look is much more assertive, trading roundness for sharp edges and adding a good amount of GT-inspired aggression. But it’s not all for looks – the aerodynamic enhancements become necessary on a vehicle with this much potential, as downforce becomes an issue that can’t be ignored when you’re pushing more than 500 horsepower.
Interior
Note: Interior from Standard 2016 Levante shown here.
We didn’t render the Levante GTS’ interior space, but it isn’t too hard to imagine what it’ll bring to the table should it hit production.
First off, expect opulence and luxury at every turn. Sumptuous leather upholstery, wood trim, aluminum control bits, and an Alcantara headliner are all part of the materials list. Contrast stitching abounds.
However, to make it sportier, the GTS model will offer the option for full carbon fiber across the dash, center console, and door inserts. The electronically adjustable seats will gain much bigger bolsters, hugging the front passengers with increased support in anticipation of higher lateral loads. No such luck for anyone in the rear seat, but space for three will be maintained nonetheless.
The steering wheel will be the same three-spoke unit we’re all familiar with, trimmed in carbon fiber and bearing thumb controls for the infotainment system.
The steering wheel will be the same three-spoke unit we’re all familiar with, trimmed in carbon fiber and bearing thumb controls for the infotainment system. Paddle shifters made from aluminum will be in place behind the wheel for easy access. The pedals will be drilled aluminum with rubber inserts.
Instrumentation will include all-digital gear, such as a TFT touch screen, probably similar to the current 8.4-inch unit, plus a TFT driver’s information screen in the gauge cluster. Maserati’s classic analog clock will find a spot in the dash. Bowers & Wilkins will provide the music with a 17-speaker surround sound system. The latest in automated driving aides will come as standard.
In back, the Levante’s 20.5 cubic feet of cargo room will be maintained for when you need to haul more than just butt.
Drivetrain
So far, the Levante has been confirmed to bear a 3.0-liter V-6, boosted by two turbochargers to two levels of tune – 345 horsepower for the base model Levante, and 424 horsepower for the Levante S. There’s also a diesel, but we don’t really care about that.
What we do care about is performance, and with 424 ponies to play with, the Levante has plenty of that to offer. From standstill, the Levante S takes just 5.2 seconds to hit 62 mph – not bad for a 4,650-pound SUV.
However, if it’s gonna go up against the current breed of fire-breathing SUV’s, it’s gonna need a little more. Like at least another 100 horsepower more, or to be specific, the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8 currently used in the Quattroporte GTS.
As is, this powerplant produces 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in Maserati’s top-spec RWD sedan. Transplanted into the AWD Levante, and I see the SUV’s 0-to-60 mph sprint time dropping to around 4.5 seconds.
Again, that’s not too shabby, but I doubt Maserati will be content with that result. More than likely, the Trident will look to boost output even further – perhaps eclipsing the 575-horsepower mark.
With a number like that, the Levante would be able to positively blitz the competition, driving the 0-to-60 mph time down into the high three-second range.
Routing the power will be an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF, the same transmission used on the current sixth-generation Quattroporte.
Chassis And Handling
The Levante is built on the same platform as the Quattroporte and Ghibli, and it should be a pretty stellar handler right out of the box. However, a GTS model will need even more to keep up with the extra output from that V-8.
To that end, the tires will be ultra-high-performance rubber, although all-seasons are likely to be an available option. The brakes will be upgraded to six-piston calipers at each corner, while the air suspension will be tweaked for more all-around stiffness. The AWD system will be retuned as well for even better rear-biased handling.
Finally, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maserati cut some of the curb weight and added a little chassis stiffness, just to round it out.
Prices
It might seem odd to be daydreaming about a Levante GTS when the base model and Levante S have yet to even begin trickling into dealerships (look for that to happen in October). That said, now is the time for the Trident to begin cooking up a new range-topper, so look for spy shots and leaks in the near future.
Should it make the cut, the Levante GTS is expected to drop by 2018. We’re pegging the price tag to be around $120,000, far above the current top dog Levante S, which goes for $83,000.
Competition
RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR
The fastest Land Rover available is the Range Rover Sport SVR, a 550-horsepower brick of supercharged V-8 insanity. Properly motivated, this speedy SUV will hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 162 mph. It’s got air springs, variable dampers, and an active exhaust that’ll make more of the good noise when the mood is right. SVR worked its magic on the inside too, with sport seats that come wrapped in leather.
PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO S
When Porsche dropped the Cayenne, the critics scoffed. The notion of a fast SUV from Stuttgart didn’t fit with their notion of what should be done, but the market spoke, and now, performance utility vehicles are everywhere. But of course, the original carries on, with the top of the totem pole occupied by the Cayenne Turbo S. With 570 horsepower hitting the ground via an eight-speed transmission and AWD, this thing will attain 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is rated at 176 mph.
Conclusion
Given the fact there’s already a prototype of the V-8 Levante confirmed, a GTS variant is looking mighty likely. But the real question is how it’ll play out in the segment two years from now when it releases. Will the base model soak up the demand for Maserati SUV’s, or will the buying public be clamoring for more? How about the competition? Where will the new benchmark lie in terms of performance expectations?
Only time will tell.
LOVE IT
Looks fresh and mean
V-8-powered soundtrack
Physics-breaking insanity
LEAVE IT
Very expensive
Lots of competition already out there
What will the market look like in a few years?
2018 Maserati Levante GTS @ Top Speed
Maserati Levante GTS
Maserati’s full-size luxury performance SUV was first unveiled as the Kubang concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2011. The production model was then officially unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March. When it finally broke cover, the details were impressive – the exterior was pure Italian premium goodness, the cabin was opulent and well appointed, and a good dose of adrenaline was waiting under the hood. However, it’s looking like an even more exciting Levante is just over the horizon, and we think it’ll have a meaner look, more driver’s goodies inside, and two additional turbocharged cylinders.
So where would we get a crazy idea like that? Well, back in April, Autoblog asked Maserati if it could fit its top-spec 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8, the same powerplant it shoehorned into the Quattroporte GTS, into its first-ever SUV. The answer was an unequivocal “yes.” What’s more, Davide Danesin, the head of Maserati vehicle programs, reported that the Trident already had a prototype of the combo in hand, leading high-performance SUV enthusiasts everywhere to begin salivating uncontrollably. And while it’s still possible Maserati will axe the project outright, odds are a Levante GTS will become a thing sooner or later.
In anticipation of that day, we created the following rendering and speculative review.
Exterior
To help it stand out from the standard Levante, the GTS model gets a selection of unique styling additions. The most noticeable difference is the front fascia, where we find a lower intake that is widened and extended, unlike the bisected lower intake on the standard model. This lower intake receives a honeycomb grille insert, which is finished in glossy black, a nice offset to the exterior body panels. Above the widely grinning lower grille are two fog lights that are deeply set into the bumper, almost like dimples. Near the ground, we find an extended front splitter, most likely made from a composite material.
The characteristic Trident badge is front and center in the upper intake, bookended on either side by four slates finished in a dark coloration. A single chrome strip runs along the topmost edge of the grille, leading the eye into LED daytime running lights in the front projectors.
The look is much more assertive, trading roundness for sharp edges and adding a good amount of GT-inspired aggression.
These features set the right angle to give the Levante GTS an aggressive, forward-leaning demeanor. Higher up are hood lines that give the front end a sharp, pointed look.
Moving to the profile, we find a trio of the trademark Maserati fender vents. Beyond these are revised side-view mirrors, which are sharper and smaller, coming to an almost blade-like tip. The mirror cap finish is black, a color that’s repeated in the side skirt extensions at the bottom. The window surrounds are made from polished chrome.
In back, there’s a trailing edge roof spoiler, while below the hatch, there are quad exhaust tips set in a carbon fiber diffuser that gets the Levante just a little closer to the ground.
Overall, the look is much more assertive, trading roundness for sharp edges and adding a good amount of GT-inspired aggression. But it’s not all for looks – the aerodynamic enhancements become necessary on a vehicle with this much potential, as downforce becomes an issue that can’t be ignored when you’re pushing more than 500 horsepower.
Interior
Note: Interior from Standard 2016 Levante shown here.
We didn’t render the Levante GTS’ interior space, but it isn’t too hard to imagine what it’ll bring to the table should it hit production.
First off, expect opulence and luxury at every turn. Sumptuous leather upholstery, wood trim, aluminum control bits, and an Alcantara headliner are all part of the materials list. Contrast stitching abounds.
However, to make it sportier, the GTS model will offer the option for full carbon fiber across the dash, center console, and door inserts. The electronically adjustable seats will gain much bigger bolsters, hugging the front passengers with increased support in anticipation of higher lateral loads. No such luck for anyone in the rear seat, but space for three will be maintained nonetheless.
The steering wheel will be the same three-spoke unit we’re all familiar with, trimmed in carbon fiber and bearing thumb controls for the infotainment system.
The steering wheel will be the same three-spoke unit we’re all familiar with, trimmed in carbon fiber and bearing thumb controls for the infotainment system. Paddle shifters made from aluminum will be in place behind the wheel for easy access. The pedals will be drilled aluminum with rubber inserts.
Instrumentation will include all-digital gear, such as a TFT touch screen, probably similar to the current 8.4-inch unit, plus a TFT driver’s information screen in the gauge cluster. Maserati’s classic analog clock will find a spot in the dash. Bowers & Wilkins will provide the music with a 17-speaker surround sound system. The latest in automated driving aides will come as standard.
In back, the Levante’s 20.5 cubic feet of cargo room will be maintained for when you need to haul more than just butt.
Drivetrain
So far, the Levante has been confirmed to bear a 3.0-liter V-6, boosted by two turbochargers to two levels of tune – 345 horsepower for the base model Levante, and 424 horsepower for the Levante S. There’s also a diesel, but we don’t really care about that.
What we do care about is performance, and with 424 ponies to play with, the Levante has plenty of that to offer. From standstill, the Levante S takes just 5.2 seconds to hit 62 mph – not bad for a 4,650-pound SUV.
However, if it’s gonna go up against the current breed of fire-breathing SUV’s, it’s gonna need a little more. Like at least another 100 horsepower more, or to be specific, the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8 currently used in the Quattroporte GTS.
As is, this powerplant produces 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in Maserati’s top-spec RWD sedan. Transplanted into the AWD Levante, and I see the SUV’s 0-to-60 mph sprint time dropping to around 4.5 seconds.
Again, that’s not too shabby, but I doubt Maserati will be content with that result. More than likely, the Trident will look to boost output even further – perhaps eclipsing the 575-horsepower mark.
With a number like that, the Levante would be able to positively blitz the competition, driving the 0-to-60 mph time down into the high three-second range.
Routing the power will be an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF, the same transmission used on the current sixth-generation Quattroporte.
Chassis And Handling
The Levante is built on the same platform as the Quattroporte and Ghibli, and it should be a pretty stellar handler right out of the box. However, a GTS model will need even more to keep up with the extra output from that V-8.
To that end, the tires will be ultra-high-performance rubber, although all-seasons are likely to be an available option. The brakes will be upgraded to six-piston calipers at each corner, while the air suspension will be tweaked for more all-around stiffness. The AWD system will be retuned as well for even better rear-biased handling.
Finally, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maserati cut some of the curb weight and added a little chassis stiffness, just to round it out.
Prices
It might seem odd to be daydreaming about a Levante GTS when the base model and Levante S have yet to even begin trickling into dealerships (look for that to happen in October). That said, now is the time for the Trident to begin cooking up a new range-topper, so look for spy shots and leaks in the near future.
Should it make the cut, the Levante GTS is expected to drop by 2018. We’re pegging the price tag to be around $120,000, far above the current top dog Levante S, which goes for $83,000.
Competition
RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR
The fastest Land Rover available is the Range Rover Sport SVR, a 550-horsepower brick of supercharged V-8 insanity. Properly motivated, this speedy SUV will hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 162 mph. It’s got air springs, variable dampers, and an active exhaust that’ll make more of the good noise when the mood is right. SVR worked its magic on the inside too, with sport seats that come wrapped in leather.
PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO S
When Porsche dropped the Cayenne, the critics scoffed. The notion of a fast SUV from Stuttgart didn’t fit with their notion of what should be done, but the market spoke, and now, performance utility vehicles are everywhere. But of course, the original carries on, with the top of the totem pole occupied by the Cayenne Turbo S. With 570 horsepower hitting the ground via an eight-speed transmission and AWD, this thing will attain 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is rated at 176 mph.
Conclusion
Given the fact there’s already a prototype of the V-8 Levante confirmed, a GTS variant is looking mighty likely. But the real question is how it’ll play out in the segment two years from now when it releases. Will the base model soak up the demand for Maserati SUV’s, or will the buying public be clamoring for more? How about the competition? Where will the new benchmark lie in terms of performance expectations?
Only time will tell.
LOVE IT
Looks fresh and mean
V-8-powered soundtrack
Physics-breaking insanity
LEAVE IT
Very expensive
Lots of competition already out there
What will the market look like in a few years?
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
- Messages
- 11,055
- Name
- Rainer
First Drive: 2017 Maserati Levante
More of a tall wagon than a trucky SUV, the Maserati Levante hits the sweet spot for enthusiasts and brand snobs alike.
– Carmel, California
Is there any logical reason for Maserati to build the Levante, the first sport-utility vehicle to emerge from an Italian performance car manufacturer? Ask a contatore di fagiolo in Modena, and it’s clear: the brand needs working capital to continue to build true sports cars, and an SUV is the path toward the ducats. When it comes to SUVs from unexpected manufacturers (i.e. performance brands), my expectations tend to be low. The race is no longer to build “a truck,” but to fashion a natural, truck-like extension of the brand. And Maserati, just like Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini, probably thinks it’s time that you stopped asking why a sports car brand also builds SUVs.
I’m thinking out loud, as I toss the Levante around a narrow stretch of road that snakes through the hills of the Monterey peninsula that’s a veritable Nürburgring for central California. In the first decreasing-radius, uphill turn, I drop down a gear and let the Ferrari-developed engine sing, hugging the inside while avoiding a precipitous, unguarded drop down the mountain. The Levante thinks nothing of taking on a downhill hairpin that would flummox a performance sedan of the same size, and it’s unfazed by elevation changes, wide-open stretches, and a sweeping corner. All this, while I’m practically surrounded by invitingly touchable leather more appropriate for handbags and gloves, coddled over eight inches above the ground.
Roads like this one are meant to allow sports cars to hustle, which is why it was a perfect fit for a first drive of the Levante. As I rounded the second hairpin, downshifting from second to first gear, the engine screaming and the exhaust note popping, everything made sense. This is just a taller Maserati. And it’s extremely likable, right away.
A high beltline gives the Levante stance and presence, causing onlookers to wonder if it’s the size of a Macan or a Cayenne. (It’s the latter.)
The Levante arrives at a turning point for the SUV market. Remember the Kubang, Maserati’s first take on an SUV concept? It was shown about five years ago, tantamount to an entire vehicle lifetime. Whereas it was once important for a car company to imbue rough-and-tumble toughness in an SUV to confirm its authenticity, the mandate has changed. The point of differentiation for automakers is now how effectively they can infuse the essence of the rest of their product lineup into a taller, ganglier ute. Witness the transformation of products like the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which helped to define the segment, to the more refined, car-like GLE. The vocabulary to describe SUVs is changing.
The Levante continues the traditional Maserati nomenclature of being named after a famous type of wind; if you’re not a meteorologist, you can impress one by knowing that ‘levante’ refers to a Mediterranean wind associated with high-pressure weather systems. It’s a nod to tradition in an otherwise non-traditional product. Few Levante buyers will be concerned with the origin story, which includes contributions from the former DaimlerChrysler empire: from a German-engineered chassis to American-designed switchgear. Rather, they’ll have their eyes on the enormous trident on the vertical-slat grille that establishes the Levante as an Italian object of aspiration.
Borrowing a lot from the Porsche Cayenne in terms of shape and function, the Levante is wholly Maserati but feels like it has a doppelganger or two. That helps explain why the Levante resembles more of a hypothetical Ghibli wagon than a Toyota Land Cruiser. It does more than just look like a Cayenne: it feels like one, too, when you open the sizable front door and slide in at sedan-like height. A high beltline gives the Levante stance and presence, causing onlookers to wonder if it’s the size of a Macan or a Cayenne. (It’s the latter.) Despite its overall size, the Levante’s cargo space behind the rear seats falls short of the BMW X5’s and Porsche Cayenne’s – but owners won’t be using their Levantes to move 2x4s.
A closer look at its design reveals beautiful cutlines and surfacing on the outside, and exquisite stitching throughout the cabin.
A closer look at its design reveals beautiful cutlines and surfacing on the outside, and exquisite stitching throughout the cabin. Interior trim is sumptuous without being over the top, although you can order Zegna silk trim for the seats and door panels. (This tester did without the fripperies.) Yes, some of the switchgear looks like it came from a Chrysler 300 or a Ram 1500, but remember that those pieces derive from Mercedes-Benz models.
The infotainment system is at the top of its class, with a clever CarPlay interface and abundant features integrated into the touchscreen. By contrast, the user interface for drive controls could use a more logical rethink; you need a basic understanding of Maserati’s ABCs to understand what efficient I.C.E. mode does, compared to Sport and Off-Road. I.C.E. functions like some competitors’ Eco or Comfort modes, but the name reads more like a smartphone emergency contact. Tried as as I did, I wasn’t able to spend any time in Off-Road mode, where ground clearance increases to 9.7 inches, useful for muddy trails to the luxury cottage.
I hit the back roads of Monterey hard in an almost-U.S.-spec Levante S. There won’t be too many changes other than translating kilometers to miles on the gauges, and certainly no muffling of the sonorous engine note. The Levante will be available in standard and S trims, the latter designating increased horsepower and a wider roster of features included. Under the hoods of both models is a biturbo 3.0-liter V6, which makes 345 horsepower in standard form, and 424 in the Levante S. Maserati estimates a 0-to-60 time of about six seconds for the Levante and 5.2 for the Levante S, positioning the two as performance SUVs by default. Unlike the Ghibli, the Levante will be offered only with all-wheel drive in the United States.
Step hard on the gas pedal and let the RPMs soar, and the exhaust note responds with atonal furiousness.
Step hard on the gas pedal and let the RPMs soar, and the exhaust note responds with atonal furiousness, huffing and crackling indeterminately between gearshifts. Left to do its own thing in automatic mode, whether or not in Sport mode, the eight-speed automatic transmission clicks off quick shifts with gusto. Over the undulating hills of my new favorite back road, the Levante felt its size, which is to say a little bulkier and more top-heavy than expected. Engage the sportier of the two sport drive modes and a firmer suspension comes to life – four-corner air suspension is standard on every Levante – but it doesn’t do much for the way things feel. Regardless of the chosen suspension setting, the firm ride exposes every undulation and cranny of tarmac. A Rolls-Royce Ghost, this is not.
I ran out of runway to try out the Levante at serious speed, but it felt solid and planted in hard-driven everyday travel. Quick steering with heft for accuracy, not effect, made it a pleasure in the switchbacks. The magic comes from the steering’s well weighted hydraulic assist, as opposed to the dialed-in electric power steering of most of the Levante’s competitors. In I.C.E. mode, the Levante calms down a bit, softening its reflexes for supposedly better efficiency.
Maserati’s product portfolio exists in a bubble unto itself, and casting a wider net will only have a positive effect on the number of enthusiasts brought into the fold.
After just a short time behind the wheel, you come to love the way the Levante isn’t trying to fool you into believing it’s a low-slung hypercar. It’s a tall wagon tuned by Maserati. Enthusiasts should applaud Maserati’s candor, in this regard.
If the Levante has any significant flaw, it is existential. While Maserati was toiling to bring the Levante to life, in what seems like an eon since the aforementioned Kubang concept first debuted, the competition has grown ever stronger. The Jaguar F-Pace does almost everything the Levante can do, and at almost half the price. It’s unlikely that Maserati and Jaguar customers will cross-shop, but it’s worth noting how similar the two are – particularly the 380-hp F-Pace 35t R Sport – in terms of road manners and overall performance. Maserati’s product portfolio, however, exists in a bubble unto itself, and casting a wider net will only have a positive effect on the number of enthusiasts brought into the fold.
If you’re considering a performance-focused SUV, add the Levante to the list if you have the cash and value the trident that everyone else will see. Logic and reason will catch up shortly.
Photos: Jeff Jablansky / Motor1.com
Maserati Levante
ENGINEBiturbocharged 3.0-Liter V6
OUTPUT345 Horsepower / 369 Pound-Feet
TRANSMISSION8-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH5.8 Seconds
TOP SPEED156 MPH
FUEL ECONOMY14 City / 20 Highway / 16 Combined
DRIVE TYPEAll-Wheel Drive
WEIGHT4,649 Pounds
SEATING CAPACITY5
CARGO VOLUME57.0 Cubic Feet
BASE PRICE$73,250
Source: motor1
More of a tall wagon than a trucky SUV, the Maserati Levante hits the sweet spot for enthusiasts and brand snobs alike.
– Carmel, California
Is there any logical reason for Maserati to build the Levante, the first sport-utility vehicle to emerge from an Italian performance car manufacturer? Ask a contatore di fagiolo in Modena, and it’s clear: the brand needs working capital to continue to build true sports cars, and an SUV is the path toward the ducats. When it comes to SUVs from unexpected manufacturers (i.e. performance brands), my expectations tend to be low. The race is no longer to build “a truck,” but to fashion a natural, truck-like extension of the brand. And Maserati, just like Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini, probably thinks it’s time that you stopped asking why a sports car brand also builds SUVs.
I’m thinking out loud, as I toss the Levante around a narrow stretch of road that snakes through the hills of the Monterey peninsula that’s a veritable Nürburgring for central California. In the first decreasing-radius, uphill turn, I drop down a gear and let the Ferrari-developed engine sing, hugging the inside while avoiding a precipitous, unguarded drop down the mountain. The Levante thinks nothing of taking on a downhill hairpin that would flummox a performance sedan of the same size, and it’s unfazed by elevation changes, wide-open stretches, and a sweeping corner. All this, while I’m practically surrounded by invitingly touchable leather more appropriate for handbags and gloves, coddled over eight inches above the ground.
Roads like this one are meant to allow sports cars to hustle, which is why it was a perfect fit for a first drive of the Levante. As I rounded the second hairpin, downshifting from second to first gear, the engine screaming and the exhaust note popping, everything made sense. This is just a taller Maserati. And it’s extremely likable, right away.
A high beltline gives the Levante stance and presence, causing onlookers to wonder if it’s the size of a Macan or a Cayenne. (It’s the latter.)
The Levante arrives at a turning point for the SUV market. Remember the Kubang, Maserati’s first take on an SUV concept? It was shown about five years ago, tantamount to an entire vehicle lifetime. Whereas it was once important for a car company to imbue rough-and-tumble toughness in an SUV to confirm its authenticity, the mandate has changed. The point of differentiation for automakers is now how effectively they can infuse the essence of the rest of their product lineup into a taller, ganglier ute. Witness the transformation of products like the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which helped to define the segment, to the more refined, car-like GLE. The vocabulary to describe SUVs is changing.
The Levante continues the traditional Maserati nomenclature of being named after a famous type of wind; if you’re not a meteorologist, you can impress one by knowing that ‘levante’ refers to a Mediterranean wind associated with high-pressure weather systems. It’s a nod to tradition in an otherwise non-traditional product. Few Levante buyers will be concerned with the origin story, which includes contributions from the former DaimlerChrysler empire: from a German-engineered chassis to American-designed switchgear. Rather, they’ll have their eyes on the enormous trident on the vertical-slat grille that establishes the Levante as an Italian object of aspiration.
Borrowing a lot from the Porsche Cayenne in terms of shape and function, the Levante is wholly Maserati but feels like it has a doppelganger or two. That helps explain why the Levante resembles more of a hypothetical Ghibli wagon than a Toyota Land Cruiser. It does more than just look like a Cayenne: it feels like one, too, when you open the sizable front door and slide in at sedan-like height. A high beltline gives the Levante stance and presence, causing onlookers to wonder if it’s the size of a Macan or a Cayenne. (It’s the latter.) Despite its overall size, the Levante’s cargo space behind the rear seats falls short of the BMW X5’s and Porsche Cayenne’s – but owners won’t be using their Levantes to move 2x4s.
A closer look at its design reveals beautiful cutlines and surfacing on the outside, and exquisite stitching throughout the cabin.
A closer look at its design reveals beautiful cutlines and surfacing on the outside, and exquisite stitching throughout the cabin. Interior trim is sumptuous without being over the top, although you can order Zegna silk trim for the seats and door panels. (This tester did without the fripperies.) Yes, some of the switchgear looks like it came from a Chrysler 300 or a Ram 1500, but remember that those pieces derive from Mercedes-Benz models.
The infotainment system is at the top of its class, with a clever CarPlay interface and abundant features integrated into the touchscreen. By contrast, the user interface for drive controls could use a more logical rethink; you need a basic understanding of Maserati’s ABCs to understand what efficient I.C.E. mode does, compared to Sport and Off-Road. I.C.E. functions like some competitors’ Eco or Comfort modes, but the name reads more like a smartphone emergency contact. Tried as as I did, I wasn’t able to spend any time in Off-Road mode, where ground clearance increases to 9.7 inches, useful for muddy trails to the luxury cottage.
I hit the back roads of Monterey hard in an almost-U.S.-spec Levante S. There won’t be too many changes other than translating kilometers to miles on the gauges, and certainly no muffling of the sonorous engine note. The Levante will be available in standard and S trims, the latter designating increased horsepower and a wider roster of features included. Under the hoods of both models is a biturbo 3.0-liter V6, which makes 345 horsepower in standard form, and 424 in the Levante S. Maserati estimates a 0-to-60 time of about six seconds for the Levante and 5.2 for the Levante S, positioning the two as performance SUVs by default. Unlike the Ghibli, the Levante will be offered only with all-wheel drive in the United States.
Step hard on the gas pedal and let the RPMs soar, and the exhaust note responds with atonal furiousness.
Step hard on the gas pedal and let the RPMs soar, and the exhaust note responds with atonal furiousness, huffing and crackling indeterminately between gearshifts. Left to do its own thing in automatic mode, whether or not in Sport mode, the eight-speed automatic transmission clicks off quick shifts with gusto. Over the undulating hills of my new favorite back road, the Levante felt its size, which is to say a little bulkier and more top-heavy than expected. Engage the sportier of the two sport drive modes and a firmer suspension comes to life – four-corner air suspension is standard on every Levante – but it doesn’t do much for the way things feel. Regardless of the chosen suspension setting, the firm ride exposes every undulation and cranny of tarmac. A Rolls-Royce Ghost, this is not.
I ran out of runway to try out the Levante at serious speed, but it felt solid and planted in hard-driven everyday travel. Quick steering with heft for accuracy, not effect, made it a pleasure in the switchbacks. The magic comes from the steering’s well weighted hydraulic assist, as opposed to the dialed-in electric power steering of most of the Levante’s competitors. In I.C.E. mode, the Levante calms down a bit, softening its reflexes for supposedly better efficiency.
Maserati’s product portfolio exists in a bubble unto itself, and casting a wider net will only have a positive effect on the number of enthusiasts brought into the fold.
After just a short time behind the wheel, you come to love the way the Levante isn’t trying to fool you into believing it’s a low-slung hypercar. It’s a tall wagon tuned by Maserati. Enthusiasts should applaud Maserati’s candor, in this regard.
If the Levante has any significant flaw, it is existential. While Maserati was toiling to bring the Levante to life, in what seems like an eon since the aforementioned Kubang concept first debuted, the competition has grown ever stronger. The Jaguar F-Pace does almost everything the Levante can do, and at almost half the price. It’s unlikely that Maserati and Jaguar customers will cross-shop, but it’s worth noting how similar the two are – particularly the 380-hp F-Pace 35t R Sport – in terms of road manners and overall performance. Maserati’s product portfolio, however, exists in a bubble unto itself, and casting a wider net will only have a positive effect on the number of enthusiasts brought into the fold.
If you’re considering a performance-focused SUV, add the Levante to the list if you have the cash and value the trident that everyone else will see. Logic and reason will catch up shortly.
Photos: Jeff Jablansky / Motor1.com
Maserati Levante
ENGINEBiturbocharged 3.0-Liter V6
OUTPUT345 Horsepower / 369 Pound-Feet
TRANSMISSION8-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH5.8 Seconds
TOP SPEED156 MPH
FUEL ECONOMY14 City / 20 Highway / 16 Combined
DRIVE TYPEAll-Wheel Drive
WEIGHT4,649 Pounds
SEATING CAPACITY5
CARGO VOLUME57.0 Cubic Feet
BASE PRICE$73,250
Source: motor1
And now some half a yer later it even can outsell Ghibli in Italy. Who would thought that?
Mick Briesgau
Tire Trailblazer
- Messages
- 6,863
I saw one last week on the Highway. I light coloured one with Belgium numberplates. In the rearview mirror you recognize immediately the grill: it's a Maserati. Sideview and rearview really reminded me of one of those Infinity SUV's. Can't remeber the type.
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Maserati
Maserati S.p.A. is an Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer. Established on 1 December 1914
in Bologna, Italy, the company's headquarters are now in Modena, Italy. The company has been
owned by Stellantis since 2021.
Official website: Maserati
Official website: Maserati
