2024 Maserati Levante

A fitting preamble to this review of the 2024 Maserati Levante is a perfect – yes, you read that correctly, perfect – Kelley Blue Book Consumer Review score of 5.0. Our Consumer Review score for the most popular vehicle in the country, the Ford F-150, is 4.2. Typically, readers with a bone to pick comprise at least a portion of the Consumer Reviews. Not for the Levante. This overwhelming tugging of our readers’ heartstrings flies in the face of an SUV that demands a serious loosening of the purse strings. Yet, those who own and drive a Levante swoon over its gorgeous styling, high-performance engines, and gloriously elegant interiors. Despite the shortcomings we see, we do agree that the Levante provides a unique and fulfilling driving experience.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the Maserati Levante.

The only two trim levels carried over from 2023 are the GT and Modena. The Modena S is gone, and Maserati is replacing the top-of-the-range Trofeo with the V8 Ultima grade. In commemoration of the V8’s final year, the V8 Ultima is only available in two unique exterior colors: Nero Absoluto and Blu Royale. The carryover GT and Modena add a grocery list of new standard features.

If you think its price spread places the Levante among the most expensive SUVs in its class, you would be correct. The average starting price in this class is in the mid-50s range. For example, the Land Rover Defender is under $60,000. Although we love the deep-throated growl of the V8 engine, to save $70,000, we’d go with the best-selling Modena grade, which sounds amazing in its own right.

Before buying the Maserati Levante, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

Low Resale Value

To date, the Maserati Levante has the worst track record for holding its value in the midsize luxury SUV segment. With the segment posting an average residual value after five years of 40%, the Levante comes in at 22%. At the top of the segment is the Land Rover Defender at 46%, with the Cadillac XT6 posting the average of 40%.

We rate the 2024 Maserati Levante’s performance among the best SUVs. It uses a 3-engine strategy, with each trim level powered by its own Ferrari-sourced engine variant. Anchoring the powertrain offerings is the GT’s 345-horsepower twin-turbo V6. The most popular Modena grade is armed with a 426-hp version of the twin-turbo V6. This increase in horsepower translates into a quicker zero-to-60 mph sprint of 5.0 seconds compared to the 5.8-second run for the GT. Incidentally, that 5.8-second time is about average for the segment. Every Maserati Levante comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). The Maserati Levante may be part of the Stellantis family, but this is no Jeep. Its architecture is similar to the Maserati Ghibli sedan; therefore, it has real athleticism at its core, thanks to its well-tuned chassis. In our testing, we couldn’t get enough of tossing it around corners. More than just engaging, the Levante is a hoot to pilot.

If your pockets are sufficiently deep and you want the ultimate Levante experience, we point you toward the V8 Ultima. Ponying up that extra $70,000 gains you a 572-hp twin-turbo V8, a zero-to-60 gallop in 3.8 seconds, and what we consider one of the most raucous engine notes in the industry.

Fuel Economy

Easiest on fuel, the Levante GT delivers 18 mpg in mixed city-and-highway driving. This is a bit below average for the segment but the same as the Land Rover Defender. Opting for the higher horsepower Mondena trim doesn’t scrub off any mileage. However, picking the V8 Ultima drops the mixed mileage to 16 mpg. You can check out more fuel-economy information at the EPA website.

If you are considering buying a Maserati Levante, we assume you want the experience of a crafted interior, one of Levante’s strong points. It’s packed with premium materials like available Zegna silk and Pieno Fiore leather. In other words, the Levante’s cabin is luxuriously furnished. However, if over-the-top elegant Italian trappings aren’t for you, we suggest you may be just as pleased with the interiors of less pricey competitors, like the Porsche Cayenne, for example.

The front seats are plenty roomy, but things get a little tight in the second row. You can comfortably fit two average-sized adults in the back, but most rivals in this class are roomier. The same goes for the cargo area, which is among the more modest in the segment.

You will instantly recognize the Levante as a Maserati, thanks in no small measure to the liberal use of the distinctive trident emblem sprinkled around the exterior. In front, a concave grille is flanked by a handsome light signature creating an exotic look. Elegant body lines and a sloping roofline give the Levante a sporty profile.

We applaud the countless options for customizing the look of the Levante. There are several wheel options, and you can even choose between several different brake-caliper colors. You may also pick between a traditional chrome exterior trim or the darker Nerissimo appearance package.

The Levante is on the larger side of the midsize luxury SUV class. Its dimensions are similar to the Audi Q8, and it’s a little bigger than the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Ferrari-Sourced Engines
The stable of twin-turbo V6 and twin-turbo V8 engines breathe life into the Levante with impressive thrust and an intoxicating exhaust note.

Skyhook Suspension
Tuned for performance, this adaptive suspension can not only raise and lower the Levante but minimize dive when braking, body roll in corners, and squatting when accelerating. We found it also smooths out the ride.

Adaptive Matrix Headlights
Automatically adjusting to various conditions, like high-speed driving and rain, these LED headlights also include high-beam assist.

Panoramic Sunroof
A 2-panel sunroof, it spans both rows of seats.

Power-Adjustable Pedals
We were able to find the most comfortable and effective driving position with these pedals that adjust, moving closer or farther away.

Bowers & Wilkins Audio System
Drawing on 1,280 watts, this 17-speaker system delivers you-are-in-the-room sound. Our only complaint: Cranking it up drowns out the vibrant sound of the exhaust.

Maserati powers the Levante with twin-turbo V6 and twin-turbo V8 engines from the performance wizards at Ferrari. Regardless of the engine, however, an 8-speed automatic transmission ushers engine production to all four wheels. The AWD system has a bias to the rear wheels, but it can send up to 50% of the power to the front wheels. Off-roading isn’t the Levante’s specialty, but it can hold its own when the pavement runs out. That’s thanks to an off-road mode and the standard Skyhook adaptive suspension system capable of raising the Levante’s ground clearance.

4-year/50,000-mile Warranty

The 2024 Maserati Levante is protected by a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, including powertrain coverage, plus free roadside service. That coverage is about typical for the segment.

Safety Ratings

No third party has reported crash-test results for the Maserati Levante. Moreover, this SUV is rather short on advanced safety technology. However, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear park assist are standard.