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The Maserati Levante Trofeo is all about performance, but where does it sit with the latest generation of super SUVs.
With the evolution of the SUV, we are now witnessing some of the most remarkable technological advancements in the auto industry. The fact that every major supercar brand offers an SUV now, including Ferrari, which is on the verge of revealing its own version of the SUV, we are indeed going to see a radical shift in the way we look at these vehicles. Aston Martin has the insane DBX707, which is also the self-proclaimed fastest SUV in the world. Porsche has the Cayenne Turbo and Lamborghini has the Urus – and let’s not forget the American-made Jeep Trackhawk as well. It seems that the SUV craze is only just beginning.
The underdog of these insane, albeit brilliant, performance SUVs is Maserati’s best-selling model – the Levante. Now, the normal trim models of the Maserati Levante are your basic high-end luxury SUVs, but once you see a Trofeo badge on one of these bad boys, you should know that it’s more wild Italian stallion than it is a luxury people carrier. The Maserati brand in itself is no stranger to high-performance cars, and when the Levante first came out in 2016, I got to drive it and was mighty impressed. The Maserati Levante featured Ferrari’s 3.0-liter V6 that came with either 350hp or 430hp. This Italian SUV was no slouch, and it could pick up speed pretty well. However, the performance of other SUVs was getting out of hand, and while the Levante was very successful for the Italian car manufacturer, Maserati needed to up the ante. Enter the Maserati Levante Trofeo!
In 2018, Maserati decided to bring in Ferrari’s 3.8-liter V8 engine to do justice to the higher spec versions of the Levante, and it was the Trofeo that got the highest power output with 580hp and 538lb-ft of torque. We already know the immense capabilities of this engine, but in a world where big and burly SUVs are racing from 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds, it would be interesting to see how the Maserati Levante Trofeo stacks up against them.
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Let’s face it! Italian design is always attractive. The Germans focus a lot more on efficiency and purpose, the Americans focus on muscle and dimensions, while the Japanese pay attention to practicality. The Italians though seem to have a lot more emotion and passion in their design. While Lamborghini does have a German at the helm of its design center, the philosophy remains the same and true to the brand. For me, the Urus is undoubtedly the best-looking SUV on the market right now. It’s sleek with an athletic stance, and it’s got the muscle in all the right places. The Maserati Levante comes in a very close second.
What stands out the most for me in the Levante is its large grille, which gives it a powerful face. Even the elongated, slim headlights add a touch of sporty character. Where the Urus has sharper lines, the Levante has more curves and circular strokes along its silhouette. The hood is long but swoops down to show the aerodynamic prowess, and there are two well-placed heat extractors, which are not just functional but add a nice touch of sportiness. Carbon fiber elements on the front splitter and the side skirts add sporty elements. The other little details that distinguish the Trofeo from the other models is the red accents on the unmistakable side air vents, and the Saetta (Trident) logo, and the Italian flag on the B-pillar.
The Levante Trofeo looks beautiful on the road. It’s got dominating road presence, and the bright green paint job on our test car made it scream for attention, and boy did it get plenty! The Levante Trofeo sits on massive 22-inch wheels, and the brake calipers with red paint once again show off the sporty attributes of this super SUV.
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A Maserati is supposed to make you feel special, and the Levante Trofeo does a pretty good job at doing that. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Maserati hasn’t really made too many updates for the 2022 model, and so the Levante is still a little outdated when you compare it to the competition. While there is a lot in favor of the Levante when it comes to the Italian styling of the car, once you step inside the vehicle it might seem a little too familiar. There are plenty of components borrowed over from other Stellantis brands, and there is nothing quite unique about the dash setup. It’s a simple design without anything extra special. The 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system definitely feels outdated. The quality of the switchgear is also not what I would expect to find in a high-caliber luxury SUV. The Maserati Levante is a luxury SUV, after all, but I was expecting to see a little more than just carbon fiber elements in the cabin to make the Trofeo version stand out.
But it’s not all bad. The build quality of the Maserati Levante is pretty good. While some people might complain about the aging dashboard, I actually prefer the analog dials, and I also really love the seating comfort. The seats are beautifully designed and super comfortable. I was driving all day long in the Levante and had plenty of back and under-thigh support. The seats do a nice job of keeping you tucked in when you take on curves, and the 14-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system was legit. You can also upgrade to a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins.
The rear seats are very nice as well. There is plenty of legroom and headroom, and this super SUV could easily haul your family across the country in style and comfort. While, the interiors might not be a deal-breaker for some people, it’s important to keep in mind that the Levante Trofeo still offers a luxurious environment in the cabin.
Well, the Levante Trofeo does get Ferrari’s incredible 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, so we could theoretically consider the Levante Trofeo to be the first ever Ferrari SUV. Ok, maybe not, but the Maserati Levante Trofeo has some serious performance, and it is the most powerful Maserati ever. Once you start the engine, you will hear a slight growl from the quad exhaust pipes. The car is set to Normal mode by default, so everything is a little tame and the Levante Trofeo keeps its manners. Throttle response is gentle if you are cruising around town, but if you need the power to perform overtaking maneuvers, it’s always on tap. Switch to Sport mode and everything becomes livelier. If you demand all the power for quick acceleration, the Levante Trofeo blasts forward effortlessly. It's very impressive for a 5,000 lb SUV.
If you want the full Trofeo experience, switch to Corsa and the Levante turns into an untamed beast and unleashes the full 538 lb-ft of torque at will. The exhaust noise levels increase significantly, and it sounds like a raging thunder god. Now, if you want neck-breaking acceleration, the Levante will be able to sprint from 0-60mph in just 3.8-seconds. It’s an incredible feeling when the car surges forward. Power delivery is instant and continues to keep on going. The Maserati Levante Trofeo never runs out of breath, and before you know it, you will be at triple-digit speeds. In a controlled setting, you could reach 180mph easily, which is no joke.
While the ride quality is great throughout, thanks to the adaptive electronic suspension, the Levante Trofeo also excels in the handling department. This is a big and heavy car, and it shows when you try to turn into corners, but the Levante Trofeo can better itself thanks to the adjustable ride height and the stiffer suspension setup when in Corsa. The steering becomes a lot more direct, and it amazed me at how well the Levante could attack corners with speed. Body roll is still present, but it doesn’t offset the manner in which the car stays planted. The drive experience is immersive, and the 8-speed AT transmission holds the gears correctly at all times. Not once did I feel the need for the paddle shifters. Maserati had done an amazing job to allow the Levante Trofeo to go from a calm luxury SUV to a full-blown sports car in the blink of an eye.
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While the engine and handling of the Maserati Levante Trofeo are incredible, it still doesn’t stand up well enough to the newer super SUVs on the market. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo for example handles as well as a proper track tool. The Lamborghini Urus has much more athletic attributes and the interiors are set up for pure sports driving. The Levante Trofeo still feels more like a luxury barge, but with a Ferrari heart under the hood. Move on to luxury itself, and Mercedes-Benz and BMW beat Maserati there too. The BMW X5 M for example gets much more room and storage space. The Maserati Levante Trofeo does get an Off-Road mode as well, but I doubt that any Maserati owner would need that. You’d be better off with the Range Rover SVR if you dared to take an expensive SUV off the tarmac.
The Maserati Levante Trofeo is a beautiful SUV, and it can definitely set your heart racing with its performance, but the fact is for a price of $154,959 that can go all the way up to over $175,000 with all the options, you could get far better SUVs. The Audi RSQ8 and the Aston Martin DBX immediately come to mind.
Buying a super SUV at this price point comes down to an emotional and sentimental decision. Fans of the brand, or someone who likes the style of the Levante, might find this car to be a fantastic purchase, and they would have a great time with the Levante Trofeo. It’s certainly no game-changer, though. If you want an all-around SUV with full sports capability, the Porsche is the clear winner here. If you want luxury and practicality with sport driving attributes, I would opt for the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. But, if you want the total package, my money is on the BMW X6M.
Jared Solomon is a top automotive journalist who has spent the last 12 years covering the Asian and European markets. Having worked as an editor for many leading publications across the world, Jared also offers his services as a consultant in new product development for auto makers. However, it's hardcore 4x4s and dirt bikes that really sets his heart racing.