Maserati Levante SUV in-depth review - Carbuyer

The Maserati Levante is the firm's first ever SUV. It's good to drive, practical and has one of the most evocative badges in motoring stuck on its nose. The interior is as stunning as you'd expect, and a pair of engines will be available. We've tested the diesel here as it'll be the biggest seller in the UK.
Maserati Levante review: carbyr.uk/1LeGbjm
SUBSCRIBE to Carbuyer for new videos every week: bit.ly/17k4fct
Watch our latest video: bit.ly/carbuyer...
Porsche Cayenne review: carbyr.uk/2e7VW0Z
Range Rover Sport review: carbyr.uk/2fFhfV3
BMW X6 review: carbyr.uk/1KjtAoN
Best 4x4s and SUVs: carbyr.uk/1J7XPBZ
4x4 and SUV playlist: carbyr.uk/2alTzoD
Follow us:
/ carbuyeruk
/ carbuyeruk
Subscribe to Auto Express magazine: subscribe.autoe...
Carbuyer makes car buying simple. We're the only automotive brand that's approved by the Plain English Campaign, delivering you clear, concise and easy to understand information about the things that really matter when you're choosing - and buying - your next car.
www.carbuyer.co.uk
Every week, Carbuyer's KZbin channel brings you simple and entertaining reviews on every major make and model that's available for sale in the UK. Plus you'll find frequently-updated top 10 features and the occasional group test for good measure.
If you want even more helpful information, head over to Carbuyer.co.uk where you'll find in-depth reviews of more than 500 cars, alongside the best buying advice and dozens of features helping you to narrow down your car buying shortlist.

[@tolotube4370]

the front looks amazing and very aggressive. it looks outstanding

[@ssingh8166]

Oh.....ok

[@rifqiyudhon313]

What is the point to have a maserati if you get the diesel, you're not buying maserati for it's fuel economy, you buy it for the performance and italiano art

[@moizzkhan7970]

Rifqi Yudho I think meserati made this car because there company is not making enough money so they had to compete.

[@marianirmer4811]

Moizz khan, Maserati made this car because Marchionne is Finance geek who does not like cars/driving

[@zroad96]

Marian Irmer true maserati need to do suv for financial reasons

[@zroad96]

Marian Irmer the same thing who do porsche some years ago but peoples does't attack porsche for this why maserati yes?

[@Supcharged]

the cayenne diesel is the best selling cayenne so......

[@ABCDEF-mf1jl]

maserati, ferrari,lamborghini,pagani, are always the best sport cars in the world. don't never forget it when everybody talk about

[@67claudius]

Obviously, Lamborghini invented the supercars.

[@afrazyousuf8222]

67claudius Lamborghini was invented because of Ferrari so Ferrari is

[@SuperLiammail]

Koenigsegg? McLaren? Porsche? Corvette? Mustang? Prius? Where are those?

[@ABCDEF-mf1jl]

At home to drink coffee

[@underwood9584]

HERO how you went from Koenigsegg to Prius?

[@AlexAlex-Alex]

I like the grills opening up at 0:24 into the video.

[@123macbookair]

Alex Alex how did you notice that 😂

[@ramalingamk297]

The frameless door is amazing

[@PrateekSinghal]

that front is hands down the most beautiful ever

[@obedaljaber409]

I got that car

[@saintetienne755]

James you are an excellent reviewer - well done.

[@trainzandtrombones]

3:26 "pockets on the back of... the doors" xD

[@lovetheroad8111]

Better offerings: Porsche, Range Rover sport, Jaguar F -Pace, Land Rover Discovery 5, Volvo XC90 and Alfa Romeo Stelvia. That's without mentioning the German big three.

[@lovetheroad8111]

And I never thought I would take those brands over a Maserati. They should stick to grand tourers like Aston Martin.

[@toshy]

Sure they are, and your opinion matters a lot. You only seen them in pictures, not to mention two of them aren't even released yet.

[@67claudius]

*Stelvio

[@TheFede8888]

Jaguar and Alfa Romeo are different segments...maybe Porsche...Range Rover is ugly and boring...this car is beatiful

[@ramiroini9504]

Not even mentioning the generalists. The Levante is a terrible looking suv and it lacks of mostly every tchnologic solution offered in ergonomics in every suv available. Man, I think a Skoda Kodiac would beat it!

[@martinkolew2419]

The interior is just perfect.

[@ejjewkasksj4937]

Rims are really unattractive

[@owentreadgold1137]

Bye. Ik they are two small and ugly in general

[@TheFede8888]

Only video with that rims

[@rabi3habach61]

Owen Treadgold a.

[@opulan]

Rims don't matter you can always change them

[@kyleperez5241]

You can get better ones, those are the base rims

[@johnevans6399]

Usual excellent review.

[@OmarG123]

I love this guys reviews

[@gonwan1]

The shape of it makes it looks small, more like x3, macan size. Hard to see it being cayenne size without seeing it next to one.

[@tachankaop5440]

gonwan1 I own it and it looks wider than my 740li. Maybe it's just me

[@AR-zr1om]

I hated this car when it came out but wow its grown on me I want it so bad

[@stickvortex]

As much as i like maserati as a brand, this car kind of underwhelmed me, especially in the interior. It's by no means bad but it doesnt feel special enough with some fca parts bin bits like the window controlls. I drove the 430hp petrol and its great and fun but it's not quite what i wanted it to be.. that said i think it looks great apart from the rear lights

[@milosilic23]

I saw one in Montenegro, a couple of months ago. Looks ok. Cant say i was really blown away. I would take a macan over this or the new alfa.

[@Flyin_k]

the interior is really out of date and i wouldn't say its classic, the large screen is like send me rite back to 2008 ....

[@MMM18092]

It looks small to me, isn't it competing with Macon rather than Cayenne?

[@BM_PAZ]

Saw this guy on a really old Cosworth comparison video, must have been from years ago.

[@markrids7702]

Fiat owned many of the italian's car... so what are you saying guys dont make any sense! ferrari,alfa romeo,pagani all are brilliant cars. Maserati's have their own beauty. Thats why we can discern from which country comes every car.Also maserati built that kind of cars for the first time.(sorry for my english)

[@davidsingleton9864]

Maserati Levante Maserati's first ever SUV WOW.

[@JundaComputersGmbH]

It's gas guzzling, does only 14/20 US MPG, unreliable after 100,000 miles and basically a fancy Jeep Grand Cherokee that cost 3x the price Its originally called the Maserati Kubang, which Jeremy Clarkson said why the name is called Kubang is for the noise the car will make once the warranty runs out.

[@julianlee2]

what are those buttons behind the steering wheel

[@656781g4]

I hate to say this but Volvo/Scania make coach's with a body type called Lavante

[@csnoopy]

What are those on the backside of the steering wheel, behind the left and right spokes? Are they buttons?

[@forestshark59]

so this is a new competitor to range sport and cayanne?

[@bradkelly7622]

@4:31 .... here is my money for that storage ... all my guns go there ....lolz. Brilliantly crafted.

[@rupertdsouza4032]

Maserati Levante 2017 or audi Q8 2018 which is the best buy ...kindly advise

[@konvicted1801]

Depends looks or tech Audi - more roomy and more tech Maserati- *killer* look, nice seats!

[@arivo9062]

i hate the transmission shifter on this one.

[@michelebicc6983]

Ariel Vo true, I often use my dad's one, and it's terrible. Completely has no logic. But the transmission is both rapid and smooth, and the paddles are great

[@johnlu9368]

the front is from infinti FX or QX,

[@irekfilms]

What about the acceleration ?

[@safwanc3043]

Beautiful car, both the interior and exterior in my opinion. But honestly, I'd rather have an X3/X5

[@saibot1221]

cuz that's all you can afford?

[@safwanc3043]

Toby Rig no, coz it's a better car in general

[@Mrm842]

+Saf Hury or an xc90?

[@safwanc3043]

Maurice W That would be second (after the Beamer)

[@Bradman175]

X3 is ugly as. X5 looks good.

[@marko.rankovic]

Wait what is the trouble with a wooden thing for the gearbox, is that not good? What is it that makes BMW's iDrive system better than Fiat's in this car? And why are reviewers constantly complaining about the room for the middle seat? Of course there isn't much space on the middle seat, it's mostly for children not adults!

[@quackcement]

nice! people below the age of 35 worry that they can afford next months rent meanwhile people who buy the Maserati Levante are worried about whether having a silk headliner is worth it.

[@kingofalldoughboys]

It's just a badge engineered Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[@theovanezos3095]

I noticed that the wood (zebrano most probably) in the centre console is very poorly made. No grain matching at all. I expected more accuracy in detail from Maserati.........

[@yuh6466]

At least this production version wasn't called the "Kubang".

[@Eddyalok]

Did you guys saw that slouchy gear change, man that is terrible. No matter how good it looks but the main function of a car is to drive well.

[@time4anewme]

So the front reminds me of an Austin Allegro Vanden Plas

[@Edgedable]

So... why are Maseratis driven by douche bags?

[@Sandouras]

Edgedable sounds like sour grapes.

[@Edgedable]

***** no in general not the host

[@alfisti93]

In general audi is the automotive way to go for douchebags... Maserati attracts an entirely different costumer base, like Jaguar or Aston Martin. They're cars for connaisseurs.

[@cicci0salsicci0]

600 nm of torque??

[@ETr4d3]

Think the Grand Cherokee is the best choice you can make from the Fiat family. And you can also get it the 6.4 petrol engine. And they finally got rid off the plastic gear shifter that was getting stuck or couldnt select the correct gear. Why is the Maserati repeating the same mistake.

[@christophermorley161]

If he's 5 foot 10 why does he have the same driving position as my grandma?

[@alanwayte432]

Why is he so close to the steering wheel....he is also hunched over, it's just distracting

[@motiabegum5844]

Songs used?

[@hein_mcleod]

This SUV looks like it was styled back in 2009.

[@jayashreebadgujar8042]

Best video

[@eddiethecounsel]

My neighbour bought one and I don't envy him. Ugly car

[@ShiftRGaming]

Glad they changed the name Kubang...

[@AM4project]

They say if you have to say something bad don't say nothing at all. With that said this guys really really needs to step up with his haircut and his wardrobe. Good review just distracted but the afore mentioned.

[@AM4project]

James Batchelor No bad intended but it seems car buyer is investing a lot on you

[@WeTubule]

A prospective car buyer is investing $0 in JB's appearance. (That can't be what you meant.) Your shamefully irrelevant and judgemental initial comment both butchered and ignored an age-old maxim. Perhaps the problem here is unfamiliarity with the English language.

[@Treeburnify]

well.... it will have rarity value as I can't imagine anyone would choose one of these above a Porsche, BMW, Range Rover or Jaguar

[@TheFede8888]

Infact Maserati sell this car pretty well...and the rivals, maybe Porsche...but Range Rover?ugly and boring...

[@templar1201]

Julian Parker I did ...

[@thecoolguy775]

Julian Parker don’t think you can compare it with bmw but maybe with Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne

[@nikos-giorgos]

To all italian brands•Enough with the korean designers!!!

[@kickyadick]

Anyone else thinks 20 inches or larger wheels are unnecessary and quite abused by car makers lately? I happen to see sexiness in more rubber(pun not intended), as long as a decent brake can be fitted.

[@thomasjackwigglesworth]

cool

[@eyeballseesaws]

I can't wait for this trend of normal car companies abandoning normal models and building big jeeps like this to end for good.

[@JamesCilia73]

JBOB7810 By the looks of things it's definitely not going to end anytime soon haha

[@JMJoubert]

I'd rather compare it to the Macan.

[@qazxxxzzzpdjd]

He could have mentioned the frameless rear doors. These types of things are what makes this sort of car different.

[@davidduxbury4919]

You mean pillarless

[@aric0913]

Not that I can own a maserati, not by a long shot but damn why they gon make their 1st SUV look like a Nissan Qashqai.

[@richardikin]

ARIC TING That looks nothing like a quashqai!

[@aric0913]

Google Qashqai and Levante, look at them side by side.

[@MrEugenio1994]

they don't want you to buy it, they want rich people who wouldn't buy a qashqai to buy their over other luxury sport SUVs because this one is actually a beast to race AND to go off road with.

[@richardikin]

ARIC TING I see what you mean, it's not a close resemblance though. I can see myself buying one.

[@SuperLiammail]

Nope I don't see the similarities from the exterior sorry. Levante looks much more expensive with a bigger grill and no black plastic bits.

[@user-sg9fj5lm9w]

CUBBY SSSSSSPACES

[@ThexMJT]

Alloys are disgusting, needs something bigger to fill the wheel well.

[@richardikin]

That's just beautiful! Gimme!

[@sarifuchs]

Doesn't look Italian for some reason.

[@bimosalexandres]

i love this car, it looks like it's on the same class with the bentley bentagya while your park it at the hotel lobby (due to the huge maserati logo at the front and awkward styling just like bentagya)...meanwhile in fact it's a much affordable suv compared to that bentley's suv

[@Edumt91]

"There's FIAT group's latest infotainment system" Do you SERIOUSLY see no problem with that sentence in a Maserati review?

[@ScottPC]

Eduardo de Montenegro that's what I thought..

[@ScottPC]

***** still not the best in the world... Porsche is part of VAG and they don't use VW Entertainment systems...

[@Edumt91]

You don't see VAG using VW infotainment in Bentleys and Porsches if I'm not mistaken

[@ScottPC]

Eduardo de Montenegro Bentley is a VW system actually.

[@mattrussell250]

ThatGuyNamedScott. Bentleys use the VW system as it's bloody good!

[@Highlander_142]

It is beautiful! The best looking SUV at the moment...

[@andreialexandru7311]

The Levante is a competitor for the Jaguar F-Pace, the Porsche Macan, Audi SQ5, etc....NOT The Range Rover Sport, NOT The Porsche Cayenne....

[@toshy]

No, it's not. Neither by size or by price. Alfa Stelvio is a competitor for F-Pace, Macan and Q5.

[@Highlander_142]

This car is much bigger than above mentioned models. Levante is 5m long, it is longer than X5,6, GLE, Cayenne, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport etc. Regards

[@a.lange.]

The car is 5m long! What the fuck you talking about?

[@noreworks]

pay italian price for an suv that 99% people you know would think its korean.

[@Highlander_142]

Actually, it looks similar to Infiniti FX/QX70 Other design elements are pure Maserati language. Regards

[@jordanl1578]

Perfect! Bow!

[@runnyeggyolk6347]

Alright, I'll say it. it's fuck ugly. They shouldn't have built an SUV, they completely sold out. The only actual Maserati trait it's going to inherit is their legendary reliability, I didn't think they could be THAT bad, but I know someone who bought a Quattroporte and he HATES that car, it's absolutely riddled with problems. What a horrible, useless, souless, sad excuse for an Italian car. I don't think that a person who's even remotely smart would choose it over a Cayenne, an XC90, a Q7 or an X5.

[@VoloKinProject]

The new Alfa looks way better.

[@moizzkhan7970]

VoloKin Project WAY

[@SuperLiammail]

Nah, I like this better. Looks more expensive imo.

[@SavioureG]

I'm an Alfa fan and i strong disagree, the Levante looks better than the Stelvio, and more practically as an SUV.

[@911Shac]

i was just thinking exactly the same

[@aleksandrasvarec8563]

Just shut the **** up!

[@thokozanigab]

I like fact that the Levante has that Tesla SUV vibe with having frameless windows. More SUVs should have that I think.

[@conorjackson5360]

front is amazing but the rear is fucken uglier than an ugly duck wtf way to ruin a nice car maserati design team!

[@mendistudio]

Conor Jackson I agree. The interior also looks dated and boring.

[@appelpower1]

I was sceptical at first, but judging by the camera footage, this will be much prettier in person. Good.

[@emotionscomeandgo]

Got a Cayenne Reasons 1) Levante is smaller. Back seat is cramped compared to Cayenne 2) Cheaply built car. Alot of the electronics outdated. Chrysler parts like on the buttons 3) Drive is "heavier" more "rough" compared to Cayenne Maybe next years model can correct some flaws. Dissapointment since Maserati released an SUV so late

[@peaceandjustice3575]

They've failed to get some buyers for the quattroporte and ghibli, I don't think this car will have good sales either.

[@toshy]

Increasing their sale figures by 10 times in the past 4 years is a big fail, indeed.

[@senseihEnRY16]

looks great but in my opinion Jaguar F-Pace is still the most handsome suv today, followed closely by Volvo XC90

[@senseihEnRY16]

Firemarioflower lol, idk, there's something about that simple swedish design and that mjolnir led headlamps that make me love it so much

[@mikee6220]

What a thorough review. Excellent job!

[@sufrihadi]

Bloody hell. Levante is using the old rear lights of the granturismo. Fast forward to the next face lift, this old rear light will look like crap compared to the next version.

[@kuddin9021]

Very strange colours and wheels for a press car.

[@alirezazadeh]

the rear looks like a cross between a Hyundai ix35 and a Nissan qashqai

[@amitmarchelli1864]

A-m-a-z-i-n-g !!!!!!🤩🤩🤩

[@Fuegolino]

Tired of seeing the steering wheel on the wrong side 😕

[@greaser3069]

Drove this car and it was fucking atrocious

[@brianthomas1923]

Looks like shitty cheap hyundai

[@florianhaffner3910]

Sorry, but it just looks odd and ugly

[@g00dfeeling]

I want this car.

[@nazhif1]

I just can't see who this Maserati for. The SUV market is saturated enough with the Range Rover, Cayenne & Macan, F-Pace & Benteyga. They should go back to making GT Cars

[@milosilic23]

nazhif1 the bentayga and rhe cayenne are in a different class. This goes head to head with the macan, maybe the disco, the new alfa... There is enough buyers for this, trust me

[@67claudius]

they never stopped, and in 2018 will come the new Maserati Granturismo.

[@Highlander_142]

Levante is 5m long, much longer than majority SUVs...

[@TheFede8888]

+milosilic23 ehm...no...the competitor of this car is cayenne...for size, power and price maybe the absurd bentayga...the others are Alfa Romeo, Macan, jaguar, Audi q5...

[@BartTibia]

It's not saturated at all. They're aiming for the premium class SUV sector. And putting Bentayga in this group is very stupid. Levante competes with RR Sport, Lincoln and perhaps Cayenne. Bentayga doesn't compete or try to compete in this sector at all. Bentayga is a luxury SUV. It competes with the yet-nonexistent Lamborghini Urus, AlfaRomeo/Ferarri Stelvio and the Rolls Royce Cullinan.

[@Bortham7]

I'm sorry but a car like this deserves to be reviewed by a man not this

[@StephenHitchens]

Is your masculinity that fragile you have trouble with watching a video that shows a guy who is slightly feminine? Oh dear poor you, you have to go through live with such suffering that this is what you have problems with. Did mummy and daddy not love you enough as a child? Or did ypu read a fictional story book called the bible that is made up stories.

[@lilyiris9253]

Nice interior, but I think a cloth option for the seats because leather doesn't suit all climates, only European climates. I think there are much better SUVs on the market as the fiat group doesn't have a great track record of reliability.

[@matnowak4797]

2:07, it's pronounced Zenya not Zegna, lol brits

[@fearfactz1]

Who the hell designed those boring bland ass daytime running lights. Its 2017....

[@openbabel]

The concept looked great, the production version less so...landrover transition from design to production made a far better job in doing that with the new discovery....

[@zaidtareen3982]

Nice review man.

[@dr-gb3tq]

ok we understand you have omega seamaster like james bond. and also same jamesbond hair and jacket combo either.

[@AHCy0]

Front looks ugly, but the back isn't bad.

[@ramiroini9504]

I´ll stand up and say it is entirely ugly :)

[@94mikyyy]

blooper "pockets on the back of the doors" at 3:25

[@armingholami28]

exterior looks like dog shit. trying to be a more premium Nissan. it is no match for any porsche cayenne, maccan or Range rover or anything of that type. looks like they've stole the design of the new alpha romeo Suv that looks better than this

[@Benjamin-sn5cw]

This guy has to be related to Quentin Wilson somehow right!?

[@vitobabic4448]

I have seen this car two times and i'm glad because of it

[@wjmba]

Looks like chinese car, bue...

[@jimmyzhou475]

Really? Which Chinese car are you talking about? I want one....

[@bpali2001]

Xingyi Zhou Nissan quashqai

[@bpali2001]

Not "chinese" but close enough

[@jimmyzhou475]

PaulBeats .......I don't see anything close enough....