The Maserati Levante sits in an interesting spot in the luxury SUV market. It delivers genuine Italian performance and a cabin that feels genuinely special, all wrapped in a body that turns heads without trying too hard. But it is not for everyone, and the price point alone is enough to send plenty of shoppers looking at what else is out there.
Whether you want something with comparable performance, a similar luxury feel, or a price tag that does not require a second mortgage, there are strong alternatives worth knowing about. This list covers twelve of them, compared across price, horsepower, acceleration, top speed, and what actually makes each one worth considering.
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A Quick Look at the 2022 Maserati Levante
Before getting into the alternatives, it helps to understand exactly what you are measuring against.
The 2022 Levante starts at $51,295 and comes in three trim levels: the GT at the base, the Modena in the middle, and the Trofeo at the top. The standard powertrain is a twin-turbocharged V-6. Step up to the Trofeo and you get a twin-turbo V-8 pumping out 580 horsepower, with a 0-to-60 time of just 3.6 seconds.
Fuel economy is not a selling point here. The V-6 gets 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The V-8 drops to 13 city and 20 highway. Inside, the Levante comes with an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, navigation, and a voice-activated assistant across all trims. The Modena trim adds paddle shifters, leather upholstery, and 20-inch wheels, which makes it the sweet spot in the lineup for most buyers.
The Levante is genuinely quick, properly luxurious, and unmistakably Italian. But it is also a niche vehicle, and that exclusivity comes with some trade-offs in practicality, running costs, and dealer network coverage. That is exactly why many shoppers cross-shop it against the vehicles below.
Top 3 Picks Most Similar to the Maserati Levante
- Genesis GV80 — Best value at a comparable starting price
- Porsche Cayenne — Best performance and driving dynamics in the class
- BMW X5 — Best all-around balance of performance, luxury, and technology
12 Cars Worth Considering If You Like the Maserati Levante
1. 2022 Genesis GV80
The GV80 is arguably the best kept secret in the luxury SUV segment. Genesis has built something that punches well above its price tag, with a cabin that genuinely competes with European rivals that cost significantly more. The moment you sit inside, the quality of materials and the level of refinement makes the price feel like a bargain.
It starts at $51,295, which puts it right alongside the base Levante. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four, but the optional 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 is the one worth having. With that engine, the GV80 reaches 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and tops out at 147 mph.
Even the base trim comes standard with heated front seats, a 14.5-inch touchscreen, and a motorized liftgate. Towing capacity is rated at 6,000 pounds. The four-cylinder model returns 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while the V-6 version gets 18 city and 23 highway.
If the Levante’s badge is not something you are paying for specifically, the GV80 delivers a comparable luxury experience for a very similar entry price.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $51,295 |
| Top Speed | 147 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 5.3 seconds (V-6) |
| Towing Capacity | 6,000 lbs |
| Fuel Economy | 18 city / 23 highway (V-6) |
2. 2023 Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne is what happens when a sports car company decides to build an SUV and refuses to compromise on driving dynamics. It is genuinely surprising how something this large and heavy can handle with the confidence and precision it does. This is a real sports car with five seats and cargo space.
The 2023 model starts around $70,000, but the range extends well past $181,000 if you work your way up to the Turbo GT Coupe. For 2023, Porsche gave the Cayenne a mild refresh with new wheels, a redesigned front grille, and revised headlights and taillights.
Engine options range from a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 producing 335 horsepower all the way up to the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 in multiple states of tune. The hybrid model pairs the base V-6 with an electric motor to push combined output to 455 horsepower, with around 17 kilometers of all-electric range. The Cayenne Turbo tops the non-Coupe lineup at 541 horsepower.
If straight-line performance paired with genuinely engaging driving dynamics is what draws you to the Levante, the Cayenne is the strongest direct competitor on this list.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~$70,000 |
| Max Horsepower | 541 hp (Turbo), 591 hp (Turbo GT) |
| Notable Competitors | Lamborghini Urus, BMW X5, Maserati Levante |
| Powertrain Options | V-6, V-8, hybrid |
3. 2023 BMW X5
The X5 has been a benchmark in the luxury midsize SUV segment for over two decades, and the 2023 model continues to justify that reputation. Three powertrain choices, a genuinely impressive cabin, and some of the best in-vehicle technology available in the class make this an easy recommendation for most buyers cross-shopping the Levante.
It starts at $60,600 and seats five. The sDrive40i and xDrive40i use turbocharged inline-six engines. The xDrive45e plug-in hybrid adds an electric motor for a combined 389 horsepower, can reach a top speed of 173 mph, and runs 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds while returning 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The M50i goes further with a twin-turbo V-8 making 523 horsepower and hitting 60 mph in under four seconds.
Every drivetrain pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid can cover short distances purely on electricity, which is a practical benefit for city drivers. Towing capacity reaches 6,603 pounds with the right configuration.
The X5 is the all-rounder on this list. It does performance, luxury, technology, efficiency, and practicality all at once without sacrificing any of them significantly.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $60,600 |
| Top Speed | 173 mph (xDrive45e) |
| 0-60 mph | 4.7 seconds (xDrive45e) / under 4 seconds (M50i) |
| Towing Capacity | 6,603 lbs |
| Fuel Economy | 21 city / 25 highway |
4. 2022 Volvo XC90
The XC90 takes a different approach to luxury than most vehicles on this list. Where the Levante leads with performance drama and Italian styling, the XC90 leads with sophisticated Scandinavian design and an interior that manages to feel both premium and genuinely family-friendly at the same time.
It starts at $50,900 and comes in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The plug-in hybrid powertrain produces 400 horsepower, and the 0-60 mph run takes 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 143 mph. Towing capacity ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds depending on configuration. Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
The 2022 XC90 brought updates including a modernized air filtration system, a head-up display in the Advance package, and a heated steering wheel in the Climate package. It is a three-row vehicle, which immediately sets it apart from the Levante’s two-row layout. If you are regularly carrying more than five people, the XC90 is worth serious consideration.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $50,900 |
| Top Speed | 143 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 6.5 seconds |
| Towing Capacity | 4,000 to 5,000 lbs |
| Fuel Economy | 21 city / 30 highway |
5. 2023 Audi RS Q8
The RS Q8 is not trying to be subtle. This is a full-on performance statement in the shape of a large luxury SUV, and it delivers on that promise in every way that matters.
Under the hood sits a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 producing 591 horsepower. The 0-60 mph run takes just 3.2 seconds. Top speed is 189 mph. Those are numbers that make even the Levante Trofeo look over its shoulder.
For 2023, the RS Q8 added electrically powered rear window sunshades, upgraded Nappa leather throughout the cabin, and an optional Executive package with a parking assistance system. Standard equipment on every RS Q8 includes 22-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, heated and cooled front seats, and a 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system.
There is a real cost to all of that performance. The EPA rates the RS Q8 at just 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Passenger space is genuinely good in both rows, and the cargo area is as practical as the standard Q8. But fuel costs will be a conversation you need to have with yourself before signing anything.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 591 hp |
| Top Speed | 189 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 3.2 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 13 city / 19 highway |
| Standard Equipment | 22-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, Bang and Olufsen audio |
6. 2023 BMW X6
The X6 is the coupe-styled sibling of the X5, and it is a vehicle that splits opinion cleanly. Some people find the sloped roofline and wide stance genuinely striking. Others find the proportions a bit awkward. What nobody argues about is the performance.
The 40i variant uses a 335-horsepower turbocharged inline-six. The M50i steps up to a 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 that gets the X6 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. That said, the extra $20,000 the M50i commands over the 40i is a harder sell when the base engine already delivers effortlessly strong performance in real-world conditions.
For most buyers, the all-wheel-drive X6 40i with the M Sport package is the sweet spot. That combination brings a more aggressive body kit, a tuned suspension, a sport exhaust, and a unique steering wheel. The X6 also offers legitimate towing capability, rated at 7,200 pounds with the optional tow package, which is notable for a vehicle in this class.
The sloped roofline does reduce rear headroom and cargo space compared to the X5, but the cabin is still attractive and well-appointed. The 40i returns 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The M50i drops to 16 city and 22 highway.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 335 hp (40i) / 523 hp (M50i) |
| 0-60 mph | 3.8 seconds (M50i) |
| Towing Capacity | 7,200 lbs (with tow package) |
| Fuel Economy | 21 city / 25 highway (40i) |
7. 2022 Audi Q7
The Q7 is Audi’s three-row luxury SUV, and it does a lot of things really well. The cabin is spacious across the first two rows, technology integration is excellent, and it drives with a sense of composure and refinement that makes longer drives genuinely enjoyable.
It starts at $57,500 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 248 horsepower and all-wheel drive as standard. The better choice for most buyers is the turbocharged V-6 producing 335 horsepower, which also boosts towing capacity significantly. The Q7 can tow up to 7,700 pounds in properly equipped configurations.
Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The 0-60 mph time is 6.2 seconds with the base engine. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Optional adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering are available and meaningfully improve both ride quality and handling precision, making the Q7 feel smaller than it actually is when navigating tighter roads.
The third row is there, but like most three-row SUVs in this class, it is best reserved for shorter passengers. As a practical family luxury vehicle with genuine towing capability, the Q7 makes a strong case for itself.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $57,500 |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 6.2 seconds |
| Towing Capacity | 7,700 lbs |
| Fuel Economy | 20 city / 25 highway |
8. 2023 Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery occupies a unique position in this segment. It is a polished, capable, and genuinely modern interpretation of the Land Rover heritage, capable of serious off-road work while being perfectly comfortable on the daily commute. Think of it as the sophisticated alternative to the Jeep Wrangler for buyers who want that level of capability but are not willing to sacrifice refinement.
The 2023 Discovery starts at $55,000 and comes in three trims: SE, HSE, and HSE Luxury. It seats seven and can tow between 6,613 and 8,200 pounds depending on the powertrain. The base engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 296 horsepower. An optional turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower is available for those who want more muscle.
The 0-60 mph time is 6.9 seconds and top speed is 125 mph. Fuel economy comes in at 19 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The third row is functional but honest: it is best suited for smaller passengers or shorter trips.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $55,000 |
| Top Speed | 125 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 6.9 seconds |
| Towing Capacity | 6,613 to 8,200 lbs |
| Fuel Economy | 19 city / 22 highway |
9. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The GLE brings Mercedes-Benz engineering and cabin technology to a size that works for families without feeling bloated or unwieldy. The interior is one of the highlights here. A wall of screens across the dashboard puts driver information and infotainment controls front and center, and the first and second-row passenger space is genuinely comfortable.
The GLE starts at $57,200 with a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 255 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. The GLE 450 steps up to a turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system for a combined 362 horsepower. Towing capacity is rated at 7,700 pounds.
The most surprising number here is the 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph, which places this squarely in performance SUV territory. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Five trims are available, but the base GLE 350 is the most balanced choice for most buyers.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $57,200 |
| Top Speed | 174 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 3.6 seconds |
| Towing Capacity | 7,700 lbs |
| Fuel Economy | 20 city / 25 highway |
10. 2022 Lamborghini Urus
If the Levante’s performance figures are what excite you, the Urus takes everything to another level entirely. This is a supercar with seats for five and enough cargo space to be genuinely usable as a daily vehicle. The cabin materials are not quite at the level of Lamborghini’s pure sports cars, but the driving experience absolutely is.
A 641-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 powers all four wheels through an eight-speed transmission. The 0-60 mph run takes 3.1 seconds. Top speed is 190 mph. Lamborghini keeps the Urus largely unchanged for 2022, though special editions and appearance packages appear throughout the year to keep things fresh.
The EPA rates the Urus at 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. The cabin pulls its infotainment system and instrument cluster directly from Audi, which gives it good technology but removes some of the uniqueness you might expect from a vehicle at this price point. The jet-throttle-style shifter and red flip covers over the start button and shifter are theatrical touches that remind you what kind of vehicle this is.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 641 hp |
| Top Speed | 190 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 3.1 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 12 city / 17 highway |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic |
11. 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport is one of the most recognizable luxury SUVs in the world, and the 2023 generation is a meaningful step forward without abandoning what made the previous versions so desirable. The silhouette is immediately recognizable, but everything underneath has been updated.
Prices range from $104,500 to $218,300 across twelve trim levels. Both short and long wheelbase variants are available, with the long wheelbase finally adding a third row of seats. The cabin air filtration system Land Rover developed reportedly removes odors and airborne pathogens, and it works even while the vehicle is parked.
The P400 powertrain uses a supercharged and turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Top speed in the best performance setting is 176 mph. Land Rover claims the long wheelbase version reaches 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
If the Levante’s Italian prestige is part of the appeal, the Range Rover Sport matches that with its own unmistakable British character and a level of off-road capability that no Italian SUV can touch.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Range | $104,500 to $218,300 |
| Top Speed | 176 mph |
| 0-60 mph | 5.8 seconds (LWB) |
| Engine | 3.0-liter inline-six, 395 hp |
| Seating | Up to 7 (LWB) |
12. Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 is the practical value pick on this list. It does not compete with the Levante on outright performance or exotic appeal, but it offers a genuinely attractive exterior, a well-appointed interior, and a list of technology features that holds its own against more expensive alternatives, all at a price that undercuts most of the competition significantly.
The base price is $49,740, which makes it one of the most affordable options on this list. The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, with an optional 3.0-liter V-6 available for buyers who want more pull. Both engines pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
The four-cylinder model returns 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The V-6 drops slightly to 19 city and 26 highway. Top speed is 144 mph. The V-6 equipped XT6 has a towing capacity of 4,100 pounds. Two trim levels are available: Premium Luxury and Sport, with each offering its own distinct character.
For a buyer who wants the presence of a luxury three-row SUV without the price premium of European or Italian brands, the XT6 is a logical conversation starter.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49,740 |
| Top Speed | 144 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 4,100 lbs (V-6) |
| Fuel Economy | 21 city / 27 highway (turbo-four) |
| Trim Levels | Premium Luxury, Sport |
Side-by-Side Comparison: How These 12 Vehicles Stack Up
| Vehicle | Starting Price | Max Horsepower | 0-60 mph | Top Speed | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Maserati Levante | $51,295 | 580 hp (Trofeo) | 3.6 sec | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 Genesis GV80 | $51,295 | 375 hp (V-6) | 5.3 sec | 147 mph | 6,000 lbs |
| 2023 Porsche Cayenne | ~$70,000 | 541 hp (Turbo) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 BMW X5 | $60,600 | 523 hp (M50i) | Under 4 sec | 173 mph | 6,603 lbs |
| 2022 Volvo XC90 | $50,900 | 400 hp (PHEV) | 6.5 sec | 143 mph | 5,000 lbs |
| 2023 Audi RS Q8 | N/A | 591 hp | 3.2 sec | 189 mph | N/A |
| 2023 BMW X6 | N/A | 523 hp (M50i) | 3.8 sec | N/A | 7,200 lbs |
| 2022 Audi Q7 | $57,500 | 335 hp (V-6) | 6.2 sec | 155 mph | 7,700 lbs |
| 2023 Land Rover Discovery | $55,000 | 355 hp (inline-six) | 6.9 sec | 125 mph | 8,200 lbs |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class | $57,200 | 362 hp (GLE 450) | 3.6 sec | 174 mph | 7,700 lbs |
| 2022 Lamborghini Urus | N/A | 641 hp | 3.1 sec | 190 mph | N/A |
| 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport | $104,500 | 395 hp (P400) | 5.8 sec | 176 mph | N/A |
| Cadillac XT6 | $49,740 | 310 hp (V-6) | N/A | 144 mph | 4,100 lbs |
Which One Should You Actually Buy?
That depends entirely on what drew you to the Levante in the first place.
If the Italian brand and performance drama are the main pull, the Levante itself remains the most direct answer to that specific desire. Nothing else on this list delivers the same combination of Maserati exclusivity and V-8 urgency at a comparable price point.
But if you are more interested in what the Levante delivers as a vehicle rather than what badge is on the hood, the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne are the strongest all-around alternatives. The Genesis GV80 offers the most luxury for the money if value matters. The Lamborghini Urus and Audi RS Q8 are for buyers who want to push performance even further. And the Land Rover Discovery or Audi Q7 are the better calls if towing capacity and practicality are part of the decision.
The Maserati Levante is a genuinely compelling vehicle, but it is also one that asks you to accept some compromises around practicality, running costs, and dealer accessibility. Several vehicles on this list eliminate those compromises without giving up much in return. The real question is whether the Maserati name is part of what you are actually buying.