Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2025 Infiniti QX80

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 QX80 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Levante. But it costs extra on the QX80.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Levante’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

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 QX80 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Levante and the QX80 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, 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.

The battery on the Levante is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Levante’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The QX80’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Levante Modena S’ standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 100 more horsepower (550 vs. 450) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 516) than the QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6. The Levante Trofeo’s standard 3.8 turbo V8 produces 130 more horsepower (580 vs. 450) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 516) than the QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Maserati Levante is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the QX80:

The Levante has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX80. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Levante’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

The Levante stops much shorter than the QX80:

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 QX80’s standard 60 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 QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the QX80 Pure, 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 QX80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Levante Modena handles at .91 G’s, while the QX80 Autograph AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Levante Modena executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the QX80 Autograph AWD (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX80 Pure (9.7 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1000 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The Levante is 1 foot, 2.2 inches shorter than the QX80, making the Levante easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Levante is 5.8 inches narrower on average than the QX80, making the Levante easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Levante is 10.5 inches shorter in height than the QX80, 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 QX80 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Levante has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 1.3 inches more rear headroom than the QX80.

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 QX80 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 QX80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Levante offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The QX80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Levante also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Levante to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX80 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.