Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Mercedes GLE

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 GLE 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 GLE.

Both the Levante and the GLE 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The Levante has more powerful engines than the GLE:

As tested in Motor Trend the Levante GT 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

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 GLE doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Levante’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the GLE 350 are solid, not vented.

The Levante stops much shorter than the GLE:

For better traction, the Levante has larger standard tires than the GLE (265/45R20 vs. 255/50R19).

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 GLE’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 GLE 450’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the GLE.

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

The Levante’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the GLE’s (53.5% to 46.5%). This gives the Levante more stable handling and braking.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the GLE 450 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (9.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Levante’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the GLE Airmatic (9.7 vs. 9.2 inches).

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 GLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Trailer Sway Mitigation is standard on the Levante, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLE.

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 GLE 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 GLE 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 GLE 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 GLE.