Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2024 Audi RS Q8

Both the Levante and the RS Q8 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.

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 RS Q8’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Maserati vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the RS Q8:

The Levante’s optional 295/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RS Q8’s 35 series tires.

The Levante has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the RS Q8; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 RS Q8 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Levante’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the RS Q8’s (41.2 feet vs. 43.5 feet).

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 500 pounds less than the Audi RS Q8.

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 RS Q8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Levante has 3.1 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more rear headroom than the RS Q8.

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 RS Q8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the Levante uses 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. The RS Q8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 RS Q8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 RS Q8 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The RS Q8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Levante’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.