2019 Maserati Levante S GranSport Review

The mid-size luxury SUV market has always been a highly competitive battleground for various brands. Consumers desire the status symbol of a luxury brand while expecting the practicality and driving pleasure of an SUV. This has made models like the Maserati Levante S GranSport, which combines performance and luxury, garner more attention. As the core SUV model under Maserati, the Levante S GranSport features key selling points such as a 3.0T V6 twin-turbo engine, all-wheel drive system, and Italian design. In this test drive, we explore whether it can strike a precise balance between luxury and performance while meeting daily usage needs.

From the exterior, the design of the Levante S GranSport continues the sporty genes of the Maserati family. With dimensions of 5003mm×1968mm×1679mm and a wheelbase of 3004mm, the overall profile is sleek and muscular. The front face features a vertical slatted grille paired with the trident emblem, making it highly recognizable. Two raised lines on the hood extend from the grille to the A-pillar, enhancing the visual tension of a performance vehicle. The side of the body adopts a flowing waistline design, running from the fender to the rear, and paired with 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, it maintains the stability of an SUV without losing its sporty vibe. The rear LED taillights adopt the family-styled trident design, which is clearly identifiable when illuminated. The quad-outlet exhaust layout at the rear directly underscores its performance positioning. In terms of lighting systems, automatic headlights come as standard, and the illumination range and brightness at night are sufficient for daily needs.

Sitting inside, the interior of the Levante S GranSport features black leather as the main color tone, paired with silver trims and carbon fiber panels, creating an ambiance that combines luxury and sportiness. The center console has a simple layout. The standard touchscreen infotainment display is moderately sized with decent responsiveness. While it lacks the large intelligent screens of some new-age models, the combination of physical buttons and touch operations retains the traditional luxury car’s operational logic. The seats are wrapped in genuine leather, with the front seats offering power adjustment and good lateral support, ensuring comfort even during long drives. In terms of features, besides the basic ABS anti-lock braking and front/rear airbags, practical features like automatic air conditioning and an electric tailgate are also included. However, compared to luxury SUVs of the same class from German brands, its technological configurations are not particularly abundant, instead focusing more on mechanical texture and brand ethos.

As for space, the 3004mm wheelbase provides ample room for both front and rear passengers. Front passengers enjoy about a fist-width and two fingers of headroom, with generous legroom. In the rear, even with three adult passengers, there remains around two fists of legroom and about a fist of headroom, avoiding any sense of confinement. The rear floor has a slight hump in the center, but it does not significantly affect the comfort of the middle passenger. Regarding storage capability, the trunk offers a capacity of 580 liters, which is sufficient for storing three 20-inch suitcases. Folding down the rear seats further increases the capacity, meeting the needs of family trips or transporting large items. The interior storage compartments are designed reasonably, with door panel storage slots, a central armrest box, and more, accommodating everyday small items. The front row is also equipped with USB ports for convenient phone charging.

In terms of dynamic driving, the Levante S GranSport is equipped with a 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine, producing a maximum horsepower of 350PS, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. In standard driving mode, the power delivery is smooth when starting, without sudden thrust, making it suitable for daily commutes; when switched to sport mode, the throttle response becomes noticeably quicker, the turbo engages earlier, and stepping hard on the accelerator delivers a strong push-back feel. Although the 0-100km/h acceleration data is not officially provided, in actual experience, overtaking or cruising at high speed is effortless. The transmission's shift logic is clear, upshifts are smooth, and downshifts can quickly respond to the driver's input, especially in sport mode where the shift speed is further enhanced.

The Levante S GranSport’s handling and chassis performance are its highlights. The combination of double-wishbone front independent suspension and multi-link rear independent suspension balances sportiness and comfort. During daily driving, the suspension can filter out most minor road imperfections, maintaining interior comfort; when encountering speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension provides sufficient support without significant residual bouncing. The steering system feels heavier, with precise directional control, and when cornering, body roll is well-contained. Even with an SUV body, it gives the driver enough confidence. The all-wheel-drive system ensures stable traction on slippery roads or during mild off-road conditions, but as a luxury city SUV, it is better suited for paved road driving.

As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel efficiency is 12L/100km. During the test drive, fuel consumption was approximately 14-15L/100km in congested urban areas and could drop to 9-10L/100km during highway cruising, overall aligning with the performance level of the 3.0T V6 engine. Regarding noise control, there is some wind and tire noise at high speeds, but it is within an acceptable range; engine noise becomes more prominent in sport mode, which aligns with the tuning logic of a performance car, enhancing the driving atmosphere.

Overall, the core strengths of the Maserati Levante S GranSport lie in its unique Italian design, the performance of its 3.0T V6 engine, and the handling quality of its chassis. Compared to German luxury SUVs in the same class, its brand personality is more distinctive, and the driving pleasure is more pronounced, though it lags slightly in technology features and fuel efficiency. This car is best suited for consumers who value brand recognition, enjoy driving, and require the practicality of an SUV—such as 30-45-year-old business owners or high-income individuals who need the trident logo to reflect their status but also want to enjoy driving on weekends while meeting family needs for daily commutes.

In conclusion, the 2019 Maserati Levante S GranSport is a luxury SUV that is "not so compromised." It does not sacrifice performance for the sake of comfort, nor does it give up the essence of Italian luxury for technology. If you’re looking for a luxury SUV that satisfies daily usability while delivering passion during driving, the Levante S GranSport is a worthy choice to consider.