Compare the2022 BMW X5VS 2021 Maserati Levante

The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Levante doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Levante doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Levante doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Levante doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Levante.

The X5’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Levante doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 and the Levante have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 103 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Levante has not been tested, yet.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Levante’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Maserati doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Levante.

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X5’s reliability 36 points higher than the Levante.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Levante isn’t in the top three in its category.

The X5 M50i’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 538) than the Levante Trofeo’s optional 3.8 turbo V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X5 6 cyl. hybrid gas is faster than the Maserati Levante turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Levante:

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Levante doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW X5 as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Maserati Levante is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Levante:

For better traction, the X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Levante (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:265/50R19 & R:295/45R19).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Levante doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Levante doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Maserati doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Levante.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.1 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Levante.

The X5 xDrive handles at .84 G’s, while the Levante pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Levante (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X5 xDrive40i is quieter than the Levante S:

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Levante can only carry 5.

The X5 has .5 inches more front headroom, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Levante.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Levante with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 20.5 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Levante with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 57.3 cubic feet).

The X5’s cargo area is larger than the Levante’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Levante doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Levante’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Levante’s (6122 vs. 5952 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Maserati Levante is only 5952 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Levante GTS can only tow 3306, any X5 can tow a minimum of 6122 pounds.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Levante, the X5 M50i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Levante doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Levante.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Levante doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Levante doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Levante isn’t in the top three.