Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Maserati Levante

The Porsche Cayenne has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Levante doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Cayenne has a standard Multi-collision Brake System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Levante doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Levante doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the Levante have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Cayenne’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Levante’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 67 percent more Porsche dealers than there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cayenne’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Cayenne’s reliability 20 points higher than the Levante.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Maserati vehicles. With 55 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Maserati.

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the Levante:

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Levante GT 3.0 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the Levante:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Levante:

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The Levante can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Levante doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Levante (23.7 vs. 21.1 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Porsche Cayenne higher (3 to 5 out of 10) than the Maserati Levante (1 to 3). This means the Cayenne produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Levante every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Porsche Cayenne as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Maserati Levante is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

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

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Levante doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The Levante doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the Levante:

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Levante (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:265/45R20 & R:295/40R20).

The Cayenne offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Levante doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Maserati doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Levante.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 2.1 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Levante.

The Cayenne handles at .96 G’s, while the Levante Modena pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Levante GT (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 6.1 feet tighter than the Levante’s (35.1 feet vs. 41.2 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Levante’s (39.8 feet vs. 41.2 feet).

The Cayenne is 3.3 inches shorter than the Levante, making the Cayenne easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Cayenne has 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 5.7 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Levante.

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Levante with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 20.5 cubic feet). The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Levante with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 57.3 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Levante’s (7700 vs. 5952 pounds).

While the Levante Modena S can only tow 3306, any Cayenne can tow a minimum of 7700 pounds.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Levante, the Cayenne offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Cayenne offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Levante doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Cayenne’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Levante’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Levante doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Levante doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Cayenne offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Levante.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Cayenne offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Levante doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Cayenne’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Levante doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Levante isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Maserati Levante by almost four to one during 2022.