Maserati’s new SUV, the Grecale, has been postponed until 2022. As a plaster on the wound, the larger Levante has recently become available as a Hybrid and therefore more affordable than ever. Is an entry-level Levante a sensible alternative?
Maserati Levante GT Hybrid – €116,523
You see: at AutoWeek we are never afraid to provide well-intentioned and well-thought-out advice, even if that advice is only interesting for a microscopic target group. Still, it’s interesting to see that the SUV situation at Maserati is currently in full swing. The Grecale has been in the barrel for a while and, according to the latest reports, will remain in it until 2022. Meanwhile, the rest of the range was overhauled, while the Levante became the second model after the Ghibli with a two-liter four-cylinder and a mild-hybrid assistant on board.
That 48V system gets from Maserati the somewhat optimistic name ‘Hybrid’ and immediately swears loyalty to the GT equipment level, which is only available in combination with this powertrain. This creates a new basic model that is actually cheaper than the Levantes that preceded it, at least in the bpm-ravaged Netherlands.
Don’t slow down
What do you get for that? First of all, the four-cylinder, which propels the Levante with 330 hp to 100 km/h exactly as fast as the 350 hp V6 in the Levante Modena. On the outside, the Levante Hybrid can be recognized by some subtle blue accents, for example in the front screen and in the Maserati trident next to the side window. As befits a real basic model, the car is finished in uni-white, which of course nobody is going to order on this model. However, if you want something different, you have to make the cut anyway.
We also do not expect to encounter the 18-inch wheels on a Levante very often, unless it has to be in the winter. The Borea alloy is the only wheel available in this size, the rest is at least one size larger. Behind the double spokes we see gray brake calipers. Blue, red, yellow or black is also possible, but for good reason. Other features of a basic Levante: xenon headlights, because adaptive LED copies cost no less than €2,783 extra.
Three colors of leather
There is good news for the interior. Of course, Maserati does not reduce itself to assembling upholstery in a civilian fabric, but you can also choose from three leather colors at no extra cost. In addition to the ‘default’ black, there is a choice of brown or beige, in particular the brown colors well with the refrigerator white exterior. The ceiling is not black, but gray.
By the way, don’t think that you can’t pay extra for Levante upholstery. The basic leather is leather, but there is also such a thing as a ‘full premium’ leather package and many other types of upholstery, the surcharge of which can amount to almost €10,000. Like Porsche, Maserati also asks for extra money for a stitched logo in the headrests, although the damage is limited here with €350.
‘Black Plastic’
The interior trim, in the form of the well-known trim, is done on the standard Levante with a shiny black material called ‘Black Piano Plastic Interior Trim’. Well, as a potential buyer you run very quickly into the arms of one of the alternatives, which, however, cost at least €908 extra. Fortunately, sitting down to relax is free, because 12-way electrically adjustable seats and an electrically adjustable steering wheel are standard. There are cruise control buttons on that steering wheel, but for adaptive cruise control – nota bene standard on a Yaris – you have to pay extra. It comes in a package that includes blind spot warning and an automatic emergency braking system, which are also not standard.
No navigation
That also applies to a panoramic roof, paddle shifters, premium audio, heated seats and even a reversing camera, although parking sensors are again standard. An electric tailgate is present, but a foot sensor under the rear bumper costs extra. The infotainment system makes it even more colorful: the screen is of course standard, but no less than €2,360 must be paid for navigation software. The basic Levante is therefore really a basic version and begs to add options, as often and a lot will happen with a brand like this. By way of illustration: we recently had the opportunity to set out on such a hybrid Levante, a tastefully decorated specimen that was priced at a total of €149,624. That is secretly not that much for a premium SUV in this segment, but it is considerably more than the base price. Just a Grecale, then?
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl