Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2024 Infiniti QX80

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Levante. But it costs extra on the QX80.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Levante’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

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 QX80 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Levante and the QX80 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, 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 QX80’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 Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is rated below average.

The Levante Modena’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 24 more horsepower (424 vs. 400) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Levante Modena S’ standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 150 more horsepower (550 vs. 400) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Levante Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 180 more horsepower (580 vs. 400) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Maserati Levante is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the QX80:

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 QX80 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 seven-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Levante’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

The Levante stops much shorter than the QX80:

The Levante Modena/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 QX80 Luxe’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 QX80 Premium Select/Sensory’s 50 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the QX80, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Levante has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX80’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the QX80 AWD (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX80 (9.7 vs. 9.2 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 700 to 1000 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The Levante is 1 foot, 1.2 inches shorter than the QX80, making the Levante easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Levante is 9.7 inches shorter in height than the QX80, 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 QX80 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Levante has a much larger cargo volume than the QX80 with its rear seat up (20.5 vs. 16.6 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 QX80’s liftover is 35.8 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Levante’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The QX80 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Levante has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The QX80 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The Levante’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The QX80’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Levante and the QX80 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Levante is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX80 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Levante to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX80 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.