Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Lexus GX

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 GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Levante and the GX 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.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Levante’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 GX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Levante GT’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 44 more horsepower (345 vs. 301) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Levante Modena’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 123 more horsepower (424 vs. 301) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Levante Modena S’ standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 249 more horsepower (550 vs. 301) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Levante Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 271 more horsepower (572 vs. 301) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Maserati Levante is faster than the Lexus GX:

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

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 GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Maserati Levante, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

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 GX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Levante’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

The Levante stops much shorter than the GX:

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 GX’s standard 60 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 GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX. The Levante’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX.

For superior ride and handling, the Maserati Levante has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Levante’s wheelbase is 8.5 inches longer than on the GX (118.3 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Levante is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX.

The Levante’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the GX’s (52% to 48%). This gives the Levante more stable handling and braking.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the GX (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.7 vs. 8.1 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 100 to 500 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The Levante is 7.7 inches shorter in height than the GX, 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 GX uses body-on-frame design instead.

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 GX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Levante has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear legroom than the GX.

The Levante has a much larger cargo volume than the GX with its rear seat up (20.5 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

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 GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

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 GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Levante’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

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 GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

The Levante’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Levante’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 GX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Levante’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

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 GX.