- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.8TT, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
441kW, 730Nm
- Fuel
Petrol 10.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo Launch Edition review
Is the Maserati Levante Trofeo the apex of performance SUVs?
- Features a truly exotic engine
- Amazing performance
- It just makes you feel great
- Crazy expensive
- Interior tech is lacking
- People will go for the Urus
How does this compare on price?
Maserati’s Levante Trofeo is one of the most expensive sports SUVs on the market. The Trofeo model starts from $330,000 before on roads and luxury car tax.
As tested however, in launch edition specification and finished in the stunning Giallo Modenese paint option, the price continues to rise.
Our test car was priced at $395,000 before on roads, making it astronomically expensive by the time you drive it out of the dealership.
You do get a lot of gear for your money, including a Ferrari-built twin-turbo V8 engine, complete with red valve covers and carbon fibre covering.
If you’re shopping in this realm of performance and price, there are most certainly other options worth considering.
First is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, which kicks off from $288,000 before on roads.
Alternatively, the Bentley Bentayga may represent another choice. Not as sporting as the Maserati, but superior in terms of luxury and quality, the British SUV in V8 guise starts from $334,700, again before on road costs and fees.
Depending on exactly what you’re after, there are a number of high-class options on offer at this price point.
What is it like inside?
Inside, the materials are exotic as the powertrain and paintwork, but some of the technology does feel outdated.
Firstly, there’s a rather small 8.4” touch screen, which employs a classic Fiat Chrysler interface. The user experience feels prehistoric when compared to others in the segment, namely Porsche and Bentley, and brings down the overall cabin vibe.
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However, the materials make up for the infotainment shortcomings. Maserati use Pieno Fiore type leather in the interior of the Trofeo. As the brochure promises, it truly lives up to being some of the most supple and plush hide that you’ll ever come across.
This stunning leather trim is contrasted against genuine, uncoated carbon fibre trim. It’s rough to the touch and very textural, which keeps the expensive feel and sense of craft to the cabin flowing.
The second row is sizable, with plenty of room for adults and children. Its cargo area measures up to hold 580 litres, which places it firmly in the middle of the pack. It beats the offering from Bentley, as their SUV only has 430 litres of storage behind the rear seats.
However, the Maserati does fall short when compared to the Porsche Cayenne, which can offer up to 770 litres, depending on the version chosen.
Is it a safe car in this segment?
The Maserati Levante range has not been subjected to any form of crash test scrutiny here in Australia, therefore has no official rating.
However, on board advanced driver assist systems include active blind spot monitoring, which not only notifies you of an obstacle in your rear three quarter area, but also steers away if you approach it, forward collision warning and braking, rear traffic alert, lane keeping assist, as well as traffic sign recognition.
This makes its safety suite on-par with what’s expected from the segment.
Neither the Porsche Cayenne nor Bentley Bentayga feature an ANCAP rating, either. The Cayenne was tested by Euro NCAP, where it received a high five-star rating.
How much does it cost to maintain?
As an SUV with the heart of a Ferrari, expect maintenance costs to somewhat reflect this notion.
Three years of worth of servicing for the Levante Trofeo will cost $2637. This is broken down into service one costing, $685, service two costing $1027, and service three costing $950.
That’s a yearly average of $879. Set intervals for servicing are 12 months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first.
A Porsche Cayenne will cost $2240 over the same period, with service one and three setting you back $695, and service two $850.
When averaged out, the Porsche’s bill comes in at $746. However, their intervals are slightly shorter, at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Consider the Maserati a little pricey to maintain when compared to others.
What does it have under the bonnet?
The main reason for opting for the Levante Trofeo is to access that glorious engine. It is a twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre V8, that’s built by Ferrari for the application.
It’s quite an incredible engine, sounding expensive upon first start up. It manages to retain the supercar trait of shifting its pitch dramatically with every small increase in RPM.
Compared to the regular model, the Trofeo’s engine has been heavily revised. There are new pistons, a whole new oiling system, improved hardware in the engine’s head, as well as a pair of unique turbochargers.
All of this culminates in the Trofeo producing 440 kilowatts of power and 730 newton metres of torque.
Out back, a variable exhaust truly gives the V8 the ability to sing its song. It isn’t overly loud or obnoxious, more organic, and sounding like a highly tuned instrument.
It gets from 0 to 100 kilometres an hour in just 3.9 seconds, which is quite a feat for something that weighs 2170 kilograms.
Performance on the move continues to be frightening.
Its rear-wheel drive biased all-wheel drive system will ask the front wheels to do some moving once traction becomes slim on the ground, but this is not a bad thing, nor does it feel unorthodox.
It retains a sense of dynamism because of this point, feeling rear driven most of the time.
It also means it just hooks up and goes, generally in all conditions. Due to the large torque figure, you certainly feel the physicality of its performance as an occupant, notably by a strong press into the seat as the V8 comes on song.
It’s powerband is intoxicating, which is half the charm with this car.
The ZF 8-speed transmission is an excellent unit, never bothered or worried about your next input, and always remaining as smooth as can possibly be. It’s shifting program is sharp and taut, meaning there’s no delay between picking gears.
Due to utilising a torque converter, it feels superior compared to most of the dual-clutch alternatives out there on offer.
Some of those systems can feel jerky, clunky, and lurch a lot during operation; such traits that are avoided when using a fluid coupling transmission as the Maserati does.
If you’re after some heat with your SUV, expect the Levante Trofeo to be absolutely sizzling in this regard.
What is its economy like?
Fuel consumption isn’t the Trofeo’s main area of expertise. Officially, the combined cycle fuel claim is 13.5 litres per 100km.
During testing, we achieved a figure of 18.5 litres per 100km travelled. If you decide to lean on its performance here and there, expect that figure to rise deep into the 20s.
Pay to play seems to be the rule, here. But it’s worth every penny.
What else should I consider in this segment?
The two likely contenders for your cash will be either the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, or the Bentley Bentayga V8.
The Cayenne represents the likely performance match, with 500 Kilowatts of combined power on board. If optioned with the sports chrono package, it’ll complete the 0 to 100 kilometre dash in 3.9 seconds.
The Bentayga represents the more premium choice. It still has 404 Kilowatts of power, which is mighty in its own right.
However, reasons for opting for the Brit over the Italian will likely come down to the luxury experience that the cabin and drive offers, in lieu of raw performance.
Think genuine wood trims offset by brushed stainless steel, and incredibly supple ride quality.
An outlier, that may be too overt, is the Lamborghini Urus. With 478 kilowatts, and a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.6 sections, it remains the ultimate high-performance SUV.
At $390,000 before on roads, it's similarly priced to a highly specified Levante Trofeo.
However, it’s exterior visual treatment may be a bit too out there for those seeking something svelte and understated.
Any problems I should look out for?
The Maserati Levante has a good reputation, with only small, fiddley issues being reported.
Those concerns are situated around exterior rubber trims around the windows and doors being incorrectly fitted, and some minor electrical gremlins, such as faulty USB ports.
As with any high-performance vehicle, ensure you maintain the vehicle as to the standard expected in order to help prevent problems from arising.
Should I buy it?
If money is no object, and you’re a fan of purely exotic hardware, then the Maserati will definitely appeal to you.
It’s charismatic Ferrari-assembled engine is the main draw card here. Not only does it sound expensive, but it feels it too. The savage performance is as expected from a brand that produces supercars as a main form of trade.
Then there’s the unique factor, which is dialled-up to the maximum when the car is finished in a striking colour, such as the Giallo Modenese as seen here.
It stands out compared to much more common Cayenne, but not in a manner that is gaudy or vulgar. Don’t expect to find yourself parking next to another one at your local rugby club’s car park, either.
The technology found in the cabin is a letdown however. On top of that, there are other options with more boot space, or even seven seats, which may be a nice to have for those with multiple offspring.
If you’re after a true, Italian thoroughbred with room for friends or a small family, then the Maserati ticks all of those boxes.
If you’re also interested in standing apart, then I’d recommend getting behind the wheel to see if that infection powertrain grabs you by the heart.