• P11D Value: £61,425
• BIK band 2018/19: 37%
• SUV
• 3.0-litre V6 275hp/300Nm
• Performance: 6.0/156mph
• Economy (On test) 16.4mpg
• CO2: 278g/km

What is it?

It’s an SUV that carries one of the most iconic names in automotive world.

Maserati – it’s up there with Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin etc.

While it’s unlikely there will be too many of these on the SME fleets, it might be something the boss could think about – after all, £60K is nothing, right?

The Italian marque’s first SUV was launched in 2016 and there have been a few changes for the 2019 model, notably a new, Ferrari-developed, 3.0-litre, twin turbo, V6 engine.

There have also been some design tweaks which add to the Levante’s already formidable looks.

Its imposing grille can now be finished in piano black, as can  the front splitter and rear diffuser.

The latest 2019 model has also received some upgrades and a a redesigned automatic gearshift lever to free up space on the centre console.

Why would I want a Maserati Levante?

• The name, Maserati. Enough said.
• Lots of fun with a power output of 350hp, plus 369lb ft of torque.
• Zero to 62mph takes 6.0 seconds, with a top speed of 156mph.
• Those red-painted brake calipers
• The sporty feel of the interior with its carbon fibre and leather plus sports seats with 12-way electric adjustment.
• 4-inch multimedia touchscreen, not the biggest around, but it comes with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity as standard.

What might put you off?

• Fuel consumption – eye watering
• Even in the sportiest of suspension settings, there is still a degree of body-roll, and the sheer mass of the Levante is inescapable.
• A single column stalk for wipers and indicators, not ideal, and you have to fight your way past a gearchange paddle to reach it.
• Chimes – a bit of a bugbear for me. The Levante felt a bit over-sensored. Plus, I couldn’t find a way to switch off the speed camera warning chime which started a good half a mile before the event. (There probably is a way).
• Auto gear selector, not the most intuitive around.

Verdict on the Maserati Levante

Well, it’s a real head turner and when you push to ignition button the Levante kicks-off with a growly over-rev, just so you know it can do the business.

That growl continues to rumble and gets more aggressive the harder you press on the loud pedal. It really does sound the business however a glance at the average fuel consumption indicator tends to make you somewhat more circumspect.

The 3.0-litre engine is thirsty to say the least. Over a couple of hundred miles of mixed driving it returned 16.4 miles to the gallon although the best achieved was 24.2mpg on a motorway stretch.

Maserati, like Alfa Romeo, believes engine noise is part of its USP. Who needs a radio with this music to the ears?

You can twiddle about between driving modes and the ride height can also be changed

The Levante has air springs as standard, combined with Maserati’s Skyhook electronic dampers. This provides a choice of suspension stiffness, and six settings for ride height.

It will go off road, if you are prepared to risk your £60K paintwork and the system will allow you an extra 40mm of ground clearance.

In standard driving model the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox doesn’t always fully understand what you require of it although it really gets the plot on sports mode, hanging on to the gears for longer – and anyway, you can do-it-yourself by using the steering wheel mounted paddles.

Riding on 20-inch wheels, the Levante still felt very smooth and only really picked up intrusive road noise on some of the rougher patches of motorway.

Steering feels light at low speed but weight gets added as the power builds so you can make assured progressed round the country lanes.

All round comfort is good both in front and in the rear which can easily accommodate adult passengers who also get their own USB sockets for connecting devices.

Boot space is good at 580 litres, and a power tailgate included.

What else should you know?

• The Q4 all-wheel-drive system can send up to 50% of the torque to the front axle. Most of the time, 100% goes to the rear wheels.
• While standard specification is high, there’s still plenty more you can add. The brand’s new Blu Nobile paint, for example, cost well in excess of £2,000 as does an upgrades sound system.
• There are 14 different alloy wheel options for the Levante and the 22-inch Orione rims are the largest ever fitted to a Maserati.
• The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine is only an entry level power unit in the Levante range. It’s derived from the higher-powered, 430hp unit used in the Levante S.