Maserati offers a choice of two different Ferrari-sourced V6 engines in the Levante, each displacing 3.0L and utilizing two turbochargers. In the base Levante, the engine makes 350 hp, which is good enough for a run to 60 in under 6 seconds with a top speed of 156 mph. Opt for the Levante S and power is boosted to 430, while top speed rises to 164 mph. Either way, power is sent to all four wheels through an advanced 8-speed automatic transmission.
All other merits aside, Maserati can sell their vehicles based on their styling alone. SUVs by their nature, necessitate macho styling language, but the Levante manages to not overdo it, looking more svelte than its competitors, while still offering lots of little details that catch the eye in pleasing ways. The styling pays off as well, with an extremely slippery, best-in-class coefficient of drag which contributes to both top speed and fuel economy. In addition, Maserati claims that their SUV has an ideal 50/50 weight distribution and the lowest center of gravity in its class, both immediately noticeable in the way the vehicle corners.
Standard equipment on the Levante is extensive, though plenty of optional equipment is still available. Nevertheless, all Levantes come with active air suspension capable of raising and lowering the vehicle to suit conditions, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather interior trim, an 8.4-inch touch screen, plenty of connectivity options for iPhone or Android, bi-xenon headlights and heated front seats that are electronically adjustable.
The luxury-oriented Levante GranLusso features touches like open-pore wood trim, a wood-finished steering wheel, comfort-oriented seats with 12-way adjustability, and two interior choices full Italian Leather or silk upholstery by luxury clothing maker Ermengildo Zegna.
Sporty-oriented Levante GranSport, features front sport seats that hold the driver in place under hard cornering, Piano Black interior trim, black roof rails, a sport steering wheel, brushed chrome paddle shifters, and power adjustable aluminum pedals.
Maserati takes bespoke manufacturing seriously and there are a ton of options for the Levante, not just in the comfort and convenience department, but in the styling department as well. There are no fewer than eleven different interior color schemes for the seats and dashboard, including a striking shades of red with contrasting inserts. Brake calipers meanwhile can be painted silver, black, red yellow or blue to go along with optional 20-inch or even 21-inch wheels. Four different types of wood and carbon are on offer for the interior trim, along with standard piano black and of course, optional carbon fiber. A Harman/Kardon premium sound system offers 10-speakers and 900 watts of power, while an even nicer Bowers and Wilkins sound system is also available. The option list is thorough, featuring nearly every convenience feature, allowing buyers to create the Levante that's perfect for them, while also being a completely unique vehicle. Other standout options include ventilated front seats, a sportier but heated steering wheel, electronic rear window blinds and a heated rear seat.
The Maserati Levante gets several subtle improvements for the 2019 model year. The shift lever has been redesigned to be easier to use and more intuitive, while the infotainment screen has also seen improvements to its ergonomics. A couple of new wheel styles are options for 2019 on the Levante, as are several new paint colors. In addition, the optional Pieno Fiore leather upholstery is now available across the entire model range.
The Maserati Levante is a performance SUV that competes with the Porsche Cayenne, AMG-badged Mercedes SUVs and the BMW X5. While those German competitors offer plenty of outright speed, the Levante offers similar speed, with a huge dose of style and exclusivity to go along with it. Sporting an engine that was developed and manufactured by Ferrari, the Levante has performance baked into its DNA. There is no "entry-level" version of the Levante. Buyers are offered trim levels that only offer levels of excess. But such impressive levels of excess?
