Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Cadillac Escalade

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 Escalade doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Levante. But it costs extra on the Escalade.

The Levante has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Levante has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport has a rear cross-path warning system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Levante uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Escalade uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Levante and the Escalade 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, around view monitors, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Levante have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade.

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 Escalade’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Levante Modena’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 4 more horsepower (424 vs. 420) than the Escalade’s 6.2 V8. The Levante Modena S’ standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 130 more horsepower (550 vs. 420) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 460) than the Escalade’s 6.2 V8. The Levante Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 152 more horsepower (572 vs. 420) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 460) than the Escalade’s 6.2 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Maserati Levante is faster than the Cadillac Escalade:

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

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 Escalade doesn’t offer launch control.

The Levante stops much shorter than the Escalade:

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 Escalade’s standard 50 series tires. The Levante’s optional 265/35R22 front and 295/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Escalade’s 50 series tires.

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

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 Escalade doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 4.6 seconds quicker than the Escalade Sport 4WD (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 30.1 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Escalade (9.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1000 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade.

The Levante is 1 foot, 2.9 inches shorter than the Escalade, making the Levante easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Levante is 10.6 inches shorter in height than the Escalade, making the Levante much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Levante’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Escalade uses body-on-frame design instead.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Levante easier. The Levante’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.7 inches, while the Escalade’s liftover is 37 inches.

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 Escalade doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 Escalade doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Levante to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escalade doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.