Maserati has evolved its Levante luxury SUV. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Levante is a luxury SUV from a brand you possibly wouldn't expect to be making such a thing. It's a luxury crossover with rather exotic genes. And a car that in recent years has been crucial for its maker, Maserati.

Background

It's mark of the rise and rise of the SUV that every single luxury brand now knows it has to have such a thing within its model portfolio. Maserati has been dabbling with the idea for years, showing its Kubang concept at motorshows as long ago as 2003. The brand finally got around to updating this Giugiaro prototype in 2011, but it took until 2016 to get it into production, badged as the Levante. Was the wait worthwhile? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Levante customers needing to keep their spend the right side of a lucky lottery win choose between two petrol options; either a 430hp 3.0-litre petrol V6 or, more likely, the Alfa-derived mild hybrid 2.0-litre petrol 330hp four cylinder engine that also sustains this model's Grecale SUV showroom stablemate. We tried the fieriest 580hp 3.8-litre petrol V8 version. The two mainstream powerplants are quite closely matched, though the 2.0-litre model has significantly less mid-range grunt than the 3.0 V6 (there's 130Nm less torque to play with). Despite that, the performance figures aren't actually that much different. With four cylinders, the Levante powers to 62mph in 6.0s en route to 152mph; with six cylinders, those figures are improved to 5.2s and 164mph. Even the soundtrack, rather surprisingly, isn't massively different between the two engines; the engineers worked for ages to give the electrified base Levante a traditional 'Maserati growl', which cuts in once you've given the car a bit of a boot to get going and got the e-Booster electric turbocharger spinning through the mid-range. Across the range, this car doesn't offer the sharpness you'd find with many rivals, but it compensates with excellent refinement and an accomplished standard of ride from a standard air suspension system that works with adaptive Skyhook dampers. The 8-speed ZF auto transmission responds with smoothness and alacrity, particularly if you decide to take control yourself with these cool Ferrari-style alloy paddleshifters and click out of the 'Normal' drive mode into green-themed 'Sport'. The V8 version we tried adds an extra orange-themed 'Corsa' drive mode setting, which when engaged will drop the car by 35mm, stiffen the ride, sharpen the throttle response, give more aggressive gear changes and fire you to 62mph in just 4.1s en route to 188mph. Talking of drive settings, all Levantes get an 'ICE' drive mode for slippery mornings; and an 'Off Road' mode which raises ride height by at least 25mm.

Design and Build

This car is based on Maserati's Kubang concept. That prototype was originally supposed to run on Jeep hardware and be built in the US. In the event, the Levante is actually put together from Maserati bits and is screwed together in Italy at Fiat's huge Mirafiori plant in Turin. Aluminium is extensively used around the structure and the bodywork - you'll find it in the doors, the tailgate and the bonnet for example. Despite that, the Levante is still a pretty heavy thing, tipping the scales at over 2.2-tonnes - which makes it significantly heavier than rivals like the Range Rover Sport or the Porsche Cayenne. Open the frameless doors then step inside and you'll find the Levante's cabin furnishings as sumptuous as you'd expect those in a Maserati to be. A typical customer will love the white double-stitched extended leather dash, the quilted door cards, the alcantara roof lining, the silver branded door scuff plates, the neat little A-pillar speakers and the potential to add silver pedals and lottery-level embellishments like carbonfibre centre console trim. More importantly, as you'd expect from a Maserati, huge cooly-crafted metal paddleshifters sit behind the steering wheel and there's a classic analogue clock at the top of the dash. The classic analogue approach is also reflected by the conventional dials that still feature in the instrument binnacle, slightly betraying the age of this design; as does the rather restricted 8.4-inch size of the 'Maserati Touch Control+' centre stack screen. In contrast to the high-consoled 'cockpit'-style feel of a rival Porsche Cayenne, the driving position here is unapologetically commanding, which isn't particularly sporty but is ultimately welcome given the enormous expanse of the bonnet ahead. There's comfortable room for two in the back, as you'd expect. And the powered tailgate rises to reveal a 580-litre boot, extendable to 1,625-litres with the rear bench folded.

Market and Model

You won't be expecting this Levante to be inexpensive. It isn't. Introducing the only slightly Grecale SUV beneath this model has emboldened the brand to push the Levante a little further up-market, with the result that by the time of this test in Autumn 2023, the least expensive 'GT Ultima' version, a recipient of the brand's mild hybrid 2.0-litre petrol 330hp four cylinder engine, was priced at around £93,000. The alternative V6 'Modena Ultima' model, featuring a 430hp 3.0-litre petrol V6, was pitched at nearly £115,000. We tried the 580hp 3.8-litre petrol V8 Trofeo model, which at the time of this review was only available in a special run-out 'V8 Ultima' form costing around £160,000. Maserati told us they'd be making only 206 more of these V8 Levantes, the final production divided equally between 'Nero Assoluto' or striking 'Blu Royale' paintwork. Once they're gone, that'll be the end of an era. Almost all Levante customers though, stick with the four cylinder model, which looks a little under-powered and under-cylindered to command a near-six-figure price tag. Still, it's undeniably a more exclusive choice than the premium SUVs it's up against - primarily Porsche's Cayenne but also cars like the BMW X6, the Audi Q8, the Mercedes GLE Coupe and the Range Rover Sport. You'll need to decide whether that's enough for you - and whether a Levante really is worth nearly £25,000 more than a version of the brand's Grecale SUV with exactly the same four cylinder engine.

Cost of Ownership

You don't think about buying a Maserati luxury SUV, then worry too much about the cost of running it. Still, if you're interested, the Italian brand reckons that the Levante Hybrid can cut emissions by 18% over the non-electrified 3.0-litre V6 offered further up the range. The 'GT Ultima' Hybrid's quoted CO2 range is still nothing to write home about though, rated at 225g/km, with a combined fuel figure of 27.4mpg. You won't do as well as that with a 3.0-litre V6 model of course; the 'Modena Ultima' manages up to 275g/km of CO2 and a best of 23.3mpg. For the 'V8 Ultima' flagship model, it's a smoky best of 317g/km and a theoretical best of 20.2mpg. If efficiency is anywhere on your buying radar, then obviously you'll be looking at the four cylinder model and might, quite reasonably, have hoped for a little more frugality in this electrified era. The figures of this four cylinder model aren't actually that much different from those of a six cylinder mild hybrid Audi Q8 55 TFSI (243g/km and 26.4mpg). And they're also not very much different from the readings of the base 3.0 V6 Porsche Cayenne Coupe you might have chosen instead (247g/km and 25.9mpg), that being a car lacking any kind of electrification at all. Now that Maserati has established its SUV credentials, the used market should be quite comfortable when the time comes to sell this Levante. As a result, residual values should be strong thanks to the car's relative rarity. And the engines are proven Fiat Group units, so are unlikely to cause any issues.

Summary

Too often, Maserati has lived off its past glories and traded on the image of Fifties GT sportscars driven by iconic Italian movie stars. The production reality, even in the later part of the last century and the early part of this, was rather different, Maserati models being those you chose over German rivals only if you were prepared to put up with patchy build quality, frustrating switchgear and borrowed tech. The point where things began to change can be traced to the launch of this Levante back in 2016 and since then, the brand seems to have gained a fresh sense of direction. You'll feel more of that at the wheel of this car's more modern SUV showroom stablemate, the Grecale, but the Levante still has a credible appeal for those besotted with the Trident badge who see nothing un-Maserati-like in the idea of a 2.2-tonne Crossover primarily powered by a little 2.0-littre four cylinder mild hybrid engine. Combine that with the lately-inflated near-six-figure starting price and we might find ourselves struggling with that proposition, were we to be in this part of the market. But the Levante feels a more credibly exotic thing with more cylinders beneath the bonnet, particularly in this gloriously emotive V8 form. In contrast to modern Maseratis of the not too distant past, it's more a fine Chianti than a corked Prosecco. But there's still a bit of both here that might leave you undecided about signing that final fat cheque. With Maseratis, it was always thus. And perhaps it always will be.

Body Glass

Demist sensor

Front and rear electric windows with one touch/anti pinch

Rain sensor

Rear wiper

Variable intermittent front wash/wipe

Heated rear windscreen

Laminated front glass with high thermal and noise insulation

Brakes

Electronic parking brake

Integrated vehicle control

Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) with ASR, ABS, EBD, BAS and MSR

Increased Control and Efficiency (I.C.E)

Brake calipers in red

Hill holder

All wheel drive intelligent Q4 system with torque vectoring

Hill descent control

Dual cast braking - Ventilated brakes + 380mm X 34mm + 6 piston fixed calipers at front, 330mm X 22mm with single piston floating calipers at rear

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floormats

Chassis/Suspension

High double wishbone front suspension with 5-arm multilink rear suspension

Skyhook - Electronically variable active damping suspension system

Adaptive air suspension

Communication

SIRI smart personal assistant

Apple car play/Android Auto

Driver Aids

Electric power steering with speed sensitive features

Sport mode setting via sport button

Off road mode setting via off road button

Front and rear parking sensors with graphical display on central digital cluster

Drive mode selector

Driver Convenience

Power tailgate

Kick sensor for power tailgate

Stop/start system

Driver Information

Maserati connected services including connect app, maintenance, emergency call, breakdown call, Maserati guide, drive and guard

Service indicator

Maserati Touch Control + 8.4" touchscreen display with rotary control, include Android Automotive OS, Nav system, DAB radio, Bluetooth, AHA, Car setup

Maserati intelligent assistant (MIA)

Instrument cluster in black with white retro illuminated dials

Maserati dash mounted design specific clock

7" multifunction digital display cluster with on-board computer and driver information

Driving Mirrors

Electrochromatic electrically adjustable foldable and heated exterior mirrors with integrated LED indicator lights

Black door mirror caps

Automatic dimming door mirrors

Electrochromatic rear view mirror

Entertainment

Harman Kardon Premium audio system with 14 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Front and rear sport fascias with front inserts, front lower profile and rear diffuser in gloss black finish

Twin, dual pipe exhaust system in chrome plated stainless steel

Black chrome badging

Body colour lower mouldings - lower bumpers, wheels arches and sides

Black chrome insert on rear tailgate

GT exterior trim

Rear side wing doors

Power rear side sunshade

Front grille with vertical grille bars in piano black finish with bezel in chrome finish

Air shutter control

Sport rear spoiler in body colour

Body coloured side skirts, front and rear fascias with chrome inserts on front fascia

Exterior Lights

Black fog lights ring

Full LED adaptive matrix headlights with anti glare high beam assist

LED front and rear foglights

Automatic headlamp activation

LED tail lights and third stop light

Daytime running lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Air quality sensor

Dual zone automatic climate control

Interior Features

Front central tunnel with 2 cup holders

Front armrest with twin mechanical opening, with illuminated storage compartment, air conditioned and 12V socket

Power height and reach adjustable steering column

Full premium fine grain leather upholstery for instrument cowl, upper/lower dashboard, armrests, door handles, upper and central door panels

Trident stitch pattern on headrests

Brushed stainless steel sports pedals

Soft close doors

Maserati active shifting aluminium gear shift paddles

3 spoke multifunction steering wheel

One 12V socket and two USB sockets for rear passengers

Air conditioned front passenger glove box with USB Socket

Front and rear head restraints with embossed Trident logo

Rear armrest with 2 cupholders

Fabric headlining trim

Interior Lights

Front and rear courtesy lamps, footwell lights and door panel handle LED lights

Packs

Driver Assistance Pack Plus - Levante

Safety

Dual stage Driver/Passenger side, window Airbags

Drivers knee airbag

Curtain airbags

Passenger airbag deactivation system

Rear door child safety locks

3x3 point rear seat belts

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with pressure displayed within the central digital cluster

Front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, rear seat belts with load limiters

Seats

Heated front seats

Heated rear seats

60/40 split rear bench seat

Front seat ventilation

3 bench rear seats in 2nd row

Rear seats with ski hatch

Single front passenger seat

Security

Aluminium key fob, with key-less entry and key-less go function with (lock/unlock button, boot opening and exterior light on)

Vodafone stolen vehicle recovery with automatic driver recognition and remote inhibition

Perimeter alarm system including volumetric sensing, anti-lift device and electronic immobiliser

Transmission

ZF 8 speed automatic transmission with tip up/down function from gear knob and fully manual mode

Mechanical limited slip differential

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger sunvisor with mirror and courtesy light

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go tyre sealing compound and electric air compressor

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 238

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 302

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 336

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 219

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 235

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 187

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 205

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 215

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 239

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 239

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 221

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90

CC: 1995

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 21

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 18.9

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 29.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 27.1

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 34

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 31

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 29.7

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 26.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 28.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 26.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 13.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 14.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 9.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 10.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 8.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 9.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 9.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 10.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 9.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.6

General

Coin Series: GT Ultima Sport

Coin Description: Hybrid

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 4

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 98333

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: N

Service Interval Mileage: 9300

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 330

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 6

Top Speed: 152

Engine Power - BHP: 330

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 243

Engine Power - RPM: 5750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 332

Engine Torque - NM: 450

Engine Torque - RPM: 2250

Engine Torque - MKG: 45.9

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 265/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 295/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: N

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: EFESTO

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 5005

Width: 1981

Wheelbase: 3004

Width (including mirrors): 2158

Height: 1693

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2090

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 80

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 580

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1625

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.7

Body Glass

Rear laminated privacy glass with high thermal and noise insulation

Heated windscreen washer nozzles

Embellishment Trims

High gloss carbon fibre interior trim

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

Chrome effect boot sill finishers

Engine badge deletion

Electric panoramic sunroof

Piano black roof rails

Interior Features

Front and rear steel door sills

Nero heated leather sport steering wheel

Packs

Nerissimo pack - Levante/GT Ultima

Easy access pack with easy entry system - Levante

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Nero Assoluto

Metallic - Blu Emozione

Metallic - Grigio Maratea

Paint - Solid

Solid - Bianco

Seats

12 way power front comfort seats with two memory settings for driver side

Easy entry/exit system

Trim - Leather

Full premium fine grain leather - Nero

Full prem fine grain leather - Nero with Rosso stitching, Nero IP pads + cluster brow, Rosso pads + cluster stitch, Nero IP up + door up

Wheels

All season tyres

Wheels - Alloy

21" Anteo dark design staggered alloy wheels