Which one to choose?
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.
However, you know it as we do: a sporty premium SUV, like our two title contenders in this 2022 Cayenne S vs 2022 Levante GT match, is judged much more on its capabilities than on its exterior appearance. Our two sport utility vehicles are, of course, no exception to the rule.
However, each of these is more than worthy of its coat of arms, starting with the Maserati. The Italian SUV is powered, in its GT version, by a 6-cylinder turbocharged V cubic with 3.0 liters of displacement. This engine is in good health, as it delivers no less than 345 horsepower for 369 lb-ft of maximum torque.
Associated with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a very good all-wheel drive, this unit allows the Maserati Levante GT 2022 to shoot down the 0-100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds according to Maserati Canada, and to hang a maximum speed of 251 km/h.
However, is that enough to get the better of the 2022 Porsche Cayenne S? Unfortunately not, since the latter is powered by a strong 434-hp 2.9 Turbo V6 for a maximum torque of 406 lb-ft. Also associated with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it offers the Porsche SUV performance really above that of the Italian with, as a result, a 0-100 sprayed in just 5.3 seconds and all, for a top speed of 265 km/h, according to Porsche Canada. The Cayenne also has standard all-wheel drive; but the similarities end there, since that of the Porsche is far above the Maserati system in terms of efficiency.
However, the most impressive thing is that these capacities are obtained by the Cayenne while remaining more frugal at the pump. While the Levante GT needs 15.1/10.9/13.2 L/100km in the City/Highway/Combined cycle, the Cayenne is much more fuel-efficient in the same conditions (13.1/10, 5/11.9L/100km).
We could, however, expect less good data in terms of towing capacities and, yet, it is quite the opposite! The Cayenne can tow up to 7,716 lbs, compared to just 5,952 lbs for the Levante. Despite all this prowess, the biggest surprise is Porsche's asking price for its vehicle, whose MSRP starts at $96,800. That of the Maserati premium midsize SUV, on the other hand, starts at $102,250!
Thus, the Cayenne S is less expensive, while being more efficient on all fronts and more fuel efficient. It is therefore logical that this one wins this second round of technical specifications, in this Maserati Levante/Porsche Cayenne comparison.
Verdict technical specifications: advantage Porsche Cayenne S 2022.
Interiors: more space in the Cayenne, as well as a better finish.
Now let's move on to the icing on the cake, in this comparison between the Maserati Levante and the Porsche Cayenne: the duel of the interiors! Here, the SUVs have in common that they both offer very well designed and assembled cockpits. However, if the Levante GT 2022 has a very high level of finish quality, it simply cannot compete with the Cayenne S. Indeed, for this one, Porsche highlights all its years of experience and n used only the highest quality materials to dress the cabin of his favorite SUV. Likewise, the assemblies are adjusted to the millimeter and are ultra-strong.
In terms of interior versatility, the Porsche also takes the upper hand, with a 27 cu. ft. trunk capacity, compared to only 20 cu. ft. for the Levante. In addition, the Porsche offers simply perfect ergonomics, so that you can be one with your machine in sporty driving. It's very simple: all the controls fall to hand with disconcerting ease!
However, it is really at the level of the on-board equipment that the Porsche impresses the most: electric front seats adjustable in 18 positions, premium Club leather upholstery, heads-up display type display, intelligent cruise control, induction charger for your smartphone, multimedia system for the rear seats, or even a premium sound system by Burmester. Depending on the model of Cayenne S you choose, you will benefit from a level of luxury and technology that has nothing to envy to the best luxury limousines in the Quebec region today!
Interior verdict: 2022 Porsche Cayenne S advantage.
Conclusion: although the Levante GT is an excellent alternative, the Cayenne S remains THE benchmark.
It is in these terms that we would summarize our opinion at the end of this comparison between the Cayenne S 2022 and the Levante GT 2022. More dynamic in its exterior lines, more efficient and frugal in fuel while being less expensive and, in addition, more spacious, the 2022 Cayenne S logically wins this confrontation to remain the king of its category against a Maserati SUV that still offers very high level services.
Still undecided? Contact one of our specialists at Porsche Quebec, your Porsche dealer of choice from Trois-Rivières to Ste-Foy! We will make you discover all the advantages of the Porsche SUV in its S version, so much so that the Levante will only be a distant memory. We will also take this opportunity to let you know about Porsche offers as well as Porsche leasing/financing programs that will allow you to get behind the wheel of YOUR Cayenne.
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