Compare the2023 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V

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-V doesn’t offer a whiplash protection 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-V uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Levante and the Escalade-V 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, 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-V.

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-V’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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

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 Escalade-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the Levante S/GTS/Trofeo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Escalade-V:

The Levante stops much shorter than the Escalade-V:

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-V’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-V’s 50 series tires.

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-V doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the Escalade-V pulls only .69 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1350 to 1550 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade-V.

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

The Levante is 10.3 inches shorter in height than the Escalade-V, 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-V uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Levante Modena is quieter than the Escalade-V:

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-V’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-V 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-V 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-V doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.