Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Dodge Durango SRT

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Levante’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Levante has a standard Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Durango SRT only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Levante and the Durango SRT 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 Levante comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Durango SRT’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

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 Durango SRT.

The Levante Modena S’ standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 75 more horsepower (550 vs. 475) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 470) than the Durango SRT’s 6.4 V8. The Levante Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 97 more horsepower (572 vs. 475) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 470) than the Durango SRT’s 6.4 V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the Durango SRT:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Levante’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Levante stops much shorter than the Durango SRT:

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 Durango SRT’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Durango SRT’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Levante is 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Durango SRT.

The Levante’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Durango SRT’s (51.6% to 48.4%). This gives the Levante more stable handling and braking.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the Durango SRT pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Durango SRT (9.7 vs. 7.8 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 650 to 750 pounds less than the Dodge Durango SRT.

The Levante is 3.8 inches shorter than the Durango SRT 392, making the Levante easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Durango SRT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Levante Modena is quieter than the Durango SRT 392:

The Levante has a much larger cargo volume than the Durango SRT with its rear seat up (20.5 vs. 17.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Levante’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Levante’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Durango SRT’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Levante’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Durango SRT’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Durango SRT 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 Durango SRT doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 Durango SRT doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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