Since its production launch in 2016 as a 2017 model year, it is clear that the Maserati Levante has carved out an enviable place for itself among premium intermediate SUVs. With its lines all in very Latin curves, its high performance and its very modern equipment, the opposite would have been surprising. However, in this segment, the competition has never been tougher. There are many equally serious rivals, including the Porsche Cayenne, which is even considered one of the benchmarks in its class. Thus, the following questions arise: is the Levante capable of taking the crown from the Porsche Cayenne? If so, should you pick this one over German? Porsche Quebec, your reference Porsche dealer in the Capitale-Nationale region, including Ste-Foy, measures below two of the most representative versions for each, in this comparison Porsche Cayenne S 2022 vs Maserati Levante GT 2022, in order to help choose.

First for this Maserati Levante vs Porsche Cayenne face-off, let's compare their body designs. This will, in fact, be the very first aspect you will see of each of them.

Paradoxically, these two SUVs have things in common, since each puts forward the curves. However, the similarities end there. Indeed, on the Maserati side, these are much more pronounced: tapered headlights but with rounded corners, round lights just below them, grille with very curvilinear peaks, or even very curved fenders (especially at the rear ). If it first highlights its Italian origins through its profile, with all its curves, the 2022 Maserati Levante may give the impression of lacking stylistic dynamism in the eyes of some.

Faced with this, the Porsche premium intermediate SUV is more measured on this side: very airy front bumper, larger headlights but in the shape of an inverted drop of water and housed in the extension of the front fenders as in the case of a 911, wide wheel arches without going overboard, hollowed sides elegantly highlighting all the athleticism of a muscular profile, and ultra-sharp rear lights linked together by a headlight strip like on the 964s of yesteryear. If we add to all this its increased ground clearance, the 2022 Cayenne S is like a force of nature whose both sporty and elegant line seems to have been dictated by the laws of aerodynamics. The result is a svelte yet athletic design that commands respect on the road and will never feel the effects of time.

So, if you want a sporty premium SUV whose body features are both elegant and discreet but highly sporty, only one choice is available to you from Ste-Foy to Trois-Rivières: the 2022 Porsche Cayenne S and not the 2022 Maserati Levante GT.

Exterior design verdict: 2022 Porsche Cayenne S advantage.