Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Audi Q7

The Levante has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Q7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Levante and the Q7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The battery on the Levante is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Levante’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Q7’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Levante has more powerful engines than the Q7:

The Levante Trofeo’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Q7 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Levante S/GTS/Trofeo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Q7:

The Levante stops much shorter than the Q7:

For better traction, the Levante has larger standard tires than the Q7 (265/45R20 vs. 255/55R19).

The Levante’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q7’s standard 55 series tires. The Levante’s optional 295/30R22 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Q7 Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Q7.

The Levante has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Q7; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the Q7 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Q7, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Levante has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Levante’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Q7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Levante’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Q7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the Q7 Prestige pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Q7 Prestige (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q7 (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Levante uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Levante has .3 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Q7.

The Levante has a much larger cargo volume than the Q7 with its rear seat up (20.5 vs. 14.8 cubic feet).

The Levante’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q7’s (5952 vs. 4400 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the Levante uses the Maserati Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q7 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Levante’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Q7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Levante to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Levante has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Levante offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Q7 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Levante has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Q7.