The Levante is ....

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
.....an overpriced, not especially good car.

Why do I say that I hear you ask? Over the weekend a few warning lights (ESC, ASR and suspension) popped up on the GT and so I decided to drop it in at the MD as it is pretty close to me, the car is under warranty and it also needed a clean :)

They told me to leave it with them and gave me a 20 plate Levante GS350 to use - and I have had it since Monday (and now look to have for the next 3 weeks as the dealership has closed).

On start up, the valves open and it sounds great. But that's about all there is to like about the interior IMO. It is way too cheap looking and certainly not what I would expect from a £70,000 plus car.

On the move, it is fairly refined on smooth straight roads but the car wallows through corners (even in sport there is way too much body roll) and the steering is vague. I really didn't enjoy driving it. Annoyingly the steering wheel also obscures the speedo (or at least it does when set up for me) and there is no dash repeater that I can find. Although the claimed 0-60 is swift, it bogs down on quick starts until the turbo kicks in.

I have owned a number of SUVs over the years and almost all are better drives than this. Certainly the German offerings I have driven are much better is every respect.

I could probably forgive most of the above if it was a good looking car but I really don't like it. Even the £3000 optional wheels don't help.

IF this is where Maserati is headed, then they will go bankrupt!
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
we have one at home and it is last pick when I choose , but first pick for Anna.
The handling in sport mode is pretty good, considering the masses to be marshalled. The "enhanced by audio" exhaust noise is unpleasant to my ear. Think I am offended because at the dealership I was impressed by the roaring sounds. After only 2 or 3 events I can hear the fake noise layered on the diesel chug, like dogs hit rolled in glitter but for the ears.
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
My wife’s favourite Maserati.
She likes cars big and awkward shaped, that’s why she chose me I guess.
Still, a Trofeo would be entertaining
 

sionie1

Member
Messages
1,310
And the depreciation is truely horrific. I am however waiting patiently for the Trofeo to drop once there’s a few 2nd hand out there. I’ve seen a lot of Levante showing on the auction pages recently.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
My wife’s favourite Maserati.
She likes cars big and awkward shaped, that’s why she chose me I guess.
Still, a Trofeo would be entertaining

Oddly Mrs H rather likes it as well ..... but she agrees it is not a patch on the GLC Coupe she had.
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
I've driven a few, both petrol and diesel and I like them. I'm toying with a fast SUV, I still miss my Pajero Evo, and I am tempted. A 2 year old one is great value for money and if you don't want to own a new one and get killed by the depreciation, I dare say there are some decent lease deals around.
I haven't tried a GTS or Trofeo yet but would like to see what difference the V8 makes. I drove a QP6 with this same V8 and it was a beast so I look forward to seeing what the Levante is like with this lump up front.
I agree it's not the best looking car around but then what SUV is? Living where I do, it would be nice for once to drive in my road & the surrounding villages at something above 15mph!
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
I saw an Uros recently and it sounded epic, I've no idea about these cars but it's certainly a better looker than the Levante. Guess it's an Audi V10?
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
I've driven a few, both petrol and diesel and I like them. I'm toying with a fast SUV, I still miss my Pajero Evo, and I am tempted. A 2 year old one is great value for money and if you don't want to own a new one and get killed by the depreciation, I dare say there are some decent lease deals around.
I haven't tried a GTS or Trofeo yet but would like to see what difference the V8 makes. I drove a QP6 with this same V8 and it was a beast so I look forward to seeing what the Levante is like with this lump up front.
I agree it's not the best looking car around but then what SUV is? Living where I do, it would be nice for once to drive in my road & the surrounding villages at something above 15mph!

Never liked the way it looked and still don't.........Reading this it's not a great ownership proposition either. I'm not a fan of SUV but I think would I would prefer that V6 Ferrari engined Alfa thingy over the Maserati. Suppose to be a bit of a weapon...
 

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
you lot are just mean! to the OP, of course it's going to feel wallowing after a GT :) They are lovely looking, IMHO, have great presence, and a special brand, still. And, the trofeo is just insane to drive. I'll happily buy one post apocalypse. Assuming I still have a business left.

Edit: for sale a dealer, near, me... https://www.chileautos.cl/vehiculos...e-trofeo-v8-biturbo-590hp/CL-AD-8467325/?Cr=6

Of course the German stuff drives better, that's what they do!
 
Last edited:

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Nope can't see it azapa myself still looks ugly. Has a rear that has no identity and has a face only a mother could love. All see something different though I suppose.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
you lot are just mean! to the OP, of course it's going to feel wallowing after a GT :) ........

....... Of course the German stuff drives better, that's what they do!

Just sharing my experience .... and you will note that I make no comparison to the GT - but instead to the multiple SUVs I have owned and driven. Other manufacturers manage to turn a 2 ton barge into something vaguely compliant in sport mode and I don;t understand why Maserati can't.

And to suggest that it's ok that German stuff drives better is plain defeatist.
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
I've driven both, the 500hp Alfa Stelvio is light years head of the Levante, even the 280hp version! and I'm not a SUV fan either

Dave
 
Messages
291
Just sharing my experience .... and you will note that I make no comparison to the GT - but instead to the multiple SUVs I have owned and driven. Other manufacturers manage to turn a 2 ton barge into something vaguely compliant in sport mode and I don;t understand why Maserati can't.

And to suggest that it's ok that German stuff drives better is plain defeatist.

Ask for a QP6 V8 GTS as a loan car next time... if they have one. I've seen a few 2019 QP6 V8 GTS's in Switzerland Maserati dealers.
 
Last edited:

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
I was pretty numb to the Levante and SUV’s in general. This was of course till I got the Evoque and luv it. Small SUV’s work for me as a daily. My only Levante experience was a trip in Merrian’s V8 version, it was lovely with insane sound.

Would I spend all day polishing either and taking them to a show, of course not.

The QP6 GTS is an interesting proposition though albeit humungerous.
 

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
My view on SUV's was forever changed by the Porsche Macan GTS

In the hands of an ex-Stig.
Milford Proving Ground's Alpine Test Track (the one they flipped the Aston for Casino Royale)

Jesus Christ! The speed, handling, I didn't have just one, it was an almost constant brown trouser moment!

I suppose it was in the hands of a racing driver.

But flipping heck, it was good. It wasn't rolling all over the place, it was mighty quick, great brakes etc.

This was also with 4 adults in it.