Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 BMW X5 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 X5 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Levante and the X5 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X5 M’s largest wheels are only 21-inches in the front and 22-inches in the rear.

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X5 M, which uses coil springs in front. 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 X5 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 X5 M doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Levante’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the X5 M (118.3 inches vs. 117 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Levante’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the X5 M’s (41.2 feet vs. 42 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 M (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Levante’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the X5 M Competition (9.7 vs. 8.4 inches).

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 800 pounds less than the BMW X5 M.

The Levante’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 M’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Levante has a 5952 lbs. towing capacity. The X5 M has no towing capacity.

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 X5 M 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 X5 M does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 X5 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 X5 M doesn’t offer headlight washers.