Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 BMW X3 M

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Maserati Levante are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Levante and the X3 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 X3 M’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Levante has more powerful engines than the X3 M:

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the X3 M:

The Levante has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 M (21.1 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Levante has larger standard tires than the X3 M (265/45R20 vs. 255/45R20). The Levante Modena/S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 M (F:265/45R20 & R:295/40R20 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:265/45R20).

The Levante’s optional 265/35R22 front and 295/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 M Competition’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X3 M’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X3 M, 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 X3 M 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 X3 M doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Levante’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the X3 M (118.3 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Levante is .3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the X3 M.

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 M (9.7 vs. 8.1 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 X3 M doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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 X3 M doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Levante’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 M doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 M 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 X3 M 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 X3 M only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Levante offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X3 M doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 X3 M.