Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2024 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Maserati Levante are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Levante. But it costs extra on the X5.

Both the Levante and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

The Levante has more powerful engines than the X5:

For better stopping power the Levante’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X5:

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 X5’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the X5.

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

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 X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Levante’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the X5 (118.3 inches vs. 117.1 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (9.7 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Levante’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

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 X5.

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 X5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 X5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 X5 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 X5 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 X5.