Maserati Levante 2018 Review

The last time a Maserati was this cheap in Australia, acid wash jeans were in fashion and Nirvana was atop the radio charts.

The Italian car-maker’s new entry-level Levante SUV arrives in Australia this month priced from $125,000 (plus on-road costs), making it some $15,000 cheaper than the current diesel entry point.

And if you’re wondering, the BiTurbo 222e released back in 1990 is the closest match in affordability for the new high-rider.

Unlike the forgettable 222e, there is hardly anything downmarket about the entry-level Levante. It borrows heavily (read: it’s a clone) from the much more expensive, $170,000 Levante S with which it shares its twin-turbo six-cylinder engine.

In this entry-level positioning, Maserati offers a 257kW/500Nm tune – which is 60kW and 80Nm down on the S – and a claimed 0-100km/h time of six seconds (compared with 5.2 seconds).

While Maserati argues the two engines are significantly different -- citing different piston coatings – the bore and stroke, turbochargers and basic block are all carry-over. As is the car’s eight-speed automatic transmission, which shuffles drive via all four wheels using a rear limited-slip differential.

Similarly, the new Levante shares the same basic underpinnings as its sportier sibling, comprising the firm’s adaptive air suspension (up to 80mm of travel) with ‘Skyhook’ dampers, and electrically-assisted ‘fly by wire’ steering.

The $125,000 pricing starts with the entry-spec ‘Levante’ variant, which rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features a dual-mode sports exhaust system, dual-zone climate control and hand-stitched leather upholstery covering the steering wheel and seats.

Furthermore, the car’s 12-way power-adjustable front seats are heated, the dash is finished in piano-black trim and the infotainment system features sat-nav, digital radio along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Those features are accentuated on the GranSport and GranLusso optional packs, which bizarrely raise the price of the ‘entry model’ to $169,000 – just shy of the more powerful Levante S.

On the safety front, all Levante models feature automated cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, blind spot alert, and keyless entry. But even at this money, there is no option for a head-up display.

Maserati has also used the upgrade to overhaul some ongoing bugbears such as the automatic gear lever positioning, which previously had its P-R-N-D ratios stacked way too closely together and confused gear choices. Happily, performing three-point turns or tight car park manoeuvres are much more seamless.

Settling into the driver’s seat of the Levante is a pleasant experience. The five-seat cabin is dressed in genuine leather, and the presentation of the displays feels reflective of a $125,000 SUV.

While the Levante’s dimensions immediately feel significant, the driver’s seat is set low down in the cabin, and is afforded an open outward view to the front and rear.

Look closely and there are telltale signs of Fiat Chrysler’s parent ownership of Maserati; the starter button and UConnect centre screen are lifted straight from the Jeep Grand Cherokee, for example.

An accurate counterpoint to this is that the relationship is identical between Audi and its Volkswagen Group parent. Platform and parts sharing is common practice.

Incidental storage is strong across both rows of the cabin, thanks to a selection of cavernous spaces, bottle holders and cubbies. Rear air-vents and two USB points are notable mentions in the second row.

Front-row passengers are dealt generous proportions, however, rear-seat passengers are slightly compromised in terms of space – a result of the car’s sloping roofline and packaging.

This is slightly at odds with the Levante’s five-metre length, as is the lack of a spare wheel, however, the 580-litre boot area helps redeem the car’s everyday amenity.

A quick examination of the car’s internal shut lines reveals consistency throughout, while the cabins of our test cars were devoid of any squeaks or rattles on the road. Interior presentation feels slightly short of Porsche’s immaculate new Cayenne, it must be said, especially at this money.

And then you thumb the starter button and the Levante’s 3.0-litre engine yelps to life, quickly detracting from any thought other than going for a drive.

Maserati is quick to point out that its fleet of vehicles errs towards grand tourer levels of performance rather than all-out supercars.

The Levante certainly subscribes to this brief. The 2.1-tonne SUV offers pleasing levels of performance and surefootedness during our cross-country trek from Sydney to Bathurst, but a supercar-beating high-rider it ain’t.

In regular conveyance, the Levante offers accessible low-range and mid-range performance to make easy work of accelerating in and out of traffic.

The spirited performance is complemented by an audible exhaust note that channels the proper Maserati theme under harder bursts of acceleration.

The steering is lightly weighted and the suspension does an admirable job of suppressing bumps in the road – even on our test car’s optional 20-inch alloys.

Sharper obstacles and road joins are prone to thudding through the cabin, which is otherwise generally well protected from road and wind noise.

Equally, the Levante’s eight-speed automatic gearbox offers an adequate mix of ratios, and works well with the engine to find the right gear for the right occasion.

Up the ante and the Maserati willingly follows – to a point. Under added urgency, there is a tendency for the engine to hesitate under turbo lag and the gearbox isn’t as sharp as rival units.

Once up and running, the engine and gearbox settle into a happy mid-range, the exhaust offering a bassy mechanical note along with a healthy parp under each full-throttle upshift.

The car’s dynamic acumen is mostly unchallenged in sporty driving, with surefooted movements and decent levels of grip.

The Levante doesn’t quite feel as comfortable as Porsche’s Cayenne or BMW’s X5 when hustled along a tight road, with steering that often requires small mid-corner adjustments and body roll that is occasionally unsettled by said adjustments along with undulating surfaces.

These nth-degree characteristics will hardly register for those concerned with badge cachet, the Maserati’s biggest appeal. But in the face of Porsche’s impressive Cayenne – still $10,000 cheaper – it appears the Levante still has some way to go.

How much does the 2018 Maserati Levante cost?
Price: $125,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 257kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 249g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested