Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2023 Porsche Cayenne

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 Cayenne doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Levante has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Cayenne’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Levante’s standard Rear Cross Path uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Levante and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

As tested in Motor Trend the Levante Modena 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

The Levante has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Levante has a standard Brake Assist System to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Levante stops shorter than the Cayenne:

For better traction, the Levante has larger standard tires than the Cayenne (265/45R20 vs. 255/55R19).

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 Cayenne’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

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

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Cayenne, 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 Cayenne doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Levante’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Cayenne (118.3 inches vs. 114 inches).

The Levante’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Cayenne’s (53.6% to 46.4%). This gives the Levante more stable handling and braking.

The Levante Modena handles at .88 G’s, while the Cayenne E-Hybrid pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cayenne (9.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Levante’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Cayenne Air Suspension (9.7 vs. 9.6 inches).

The Levante has 1.2 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the Cayenne.

The Levante has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Levante’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Cayenne.

On a hot day the Levante’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Levante’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Cayenne 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 Cayenne 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 Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 Cayenne.