Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Mercedes G-Class

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 G-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Levante has a standard Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The G-Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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

Both the Levante and the G-Class 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

Reliability

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.

Engine

The Levante Trofeo’s 3.8 turbo V8 produces 3 more horsepower (580 vs. 577) than the AMG G 63’s optional 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Levante Modena 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the G 550:

	Levante	G-Class
Zero to 60 MPH	4.9 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.5 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101.9 MPH	98.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the G-Class:

			MPG
Levante
	AWD	GT 3.0 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy
		Modena 3.0 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy
		Modena S 3.8 turbo V8	13 city/20 hwy
		Trofeo 3.8 turbo V8	13 city/20 hwy
G-Class
	AWD	550 4.0 turbo V8	13 city/16 hwy
		63 4.0 turbo V8	13 city/16 hwy

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Levante	G 550	AMG G 63
Front Rotors	15 inches	13.9 inches	14.8 inches

The Levante stops much shorter than the G-Class:

	Levante	G-Class
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	161 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	105 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 G 550’s standard 55 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 G-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Levante has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the G 550.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Maserati Levante has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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

The Levante has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Levante’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Levante’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the G-Class (118.3 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Levante is 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The Levante’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the G-Class’ (53% to 47%). This gives the Levante more stable handling and braking.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the AMG G 63 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 5.2 seconds quicker than the G 550 (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 30.7 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Levante’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41.2 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a greater minimum ground clearance than the G-Class (9.7 vs. 9.5 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 750 pounds less than the Mercedes G-Class.

The Levante is 11.3 inches shorter in height than the G-Class, 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 G-Class doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Levante has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

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 G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Levante’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Ergonomics

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 G-Class 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 G-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Levante has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

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 G-Class.

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