Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2024 Mercedes GLS

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 GLS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Levante and the GLS 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.

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Levante Trofeo’s 3.8 turbo V8 produces 30 more horsepower (580 vs. 550) than the Maybach GLS 600’s optional 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Levante Modena 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

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

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 GLS doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Levante stops much shorter than the GLS:

The Levante’s optional 265/35R22 front and 295/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLS’ optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the GLS 580 pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the GLS 580 (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1000 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The Levante is 7.9 inches shorter than the GLS 450, making the Levante easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 GLS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Levante has a much larger cargo volume than the GLS with its rear seat up (20.5 vs. 17.4 cubic feet).

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 GLS.

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 GLS 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 GLS 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 GLS 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 GLS.