Imagine the scene: you're on a classified ads website, you search for "Maserati Levante", and sorting by increasing price... and there, shock. Levante SUVs from around €25,000, the price of a new Renault Captur SUV. In the photos, cream leather, wood, large screen, steering wheel paddles, V6 under the hood, trident logo on the steering wheel. On the "mileage" line, however, we read 190,000, 220,000, 280,000, sometimes over 300,000 km. So, good deal or future source of anguish at your garage? To get to the bottom of this, you need to understand two things: why this luxury SUV has lost so much of its value, and above all which engines are hiding under the hood, because on the Levante, the choice between V6 diesel, V6 petrol or V8 petrol completely changes the story.
A luxury SUV that discounts like a generalist
The Levante is the first SUV in the company's history. Maserati. Produced at Mirafiori in Turin from 2016 to 2024, it shares its technical base with the Ghibli and Quattroporte VI. 5-meter SUV, V6 or V8, four-wheel drive, 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, positioned opposite the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, Range Rover Sport.
New, we were talking about €80,000 to over €150,000, depending on version and country. Today, the majority of "sound" used car ads are between €40,000 and €70,000 for cars with between 40,000 and 140,000 km. And then there's the basement of the market: those Levante for less than €25,000, often diesel, with mileage worthy of a German cab. What's worth remembering is that the Levante does not behave like a future "collector" in the manner of a V8 Granturismo. The results of recent auctions make this clear: Trofeo, GTS, Modena, GT sell in a wide range from around $27,000 to $88,000 depending on year, mileage and version, but we're not seeing a speculative surge. It's a luxury SUV that's going down, not a work of art that's going up.
In other words: you buy a Levante for pleasure and image, not for capital gains. Which brings us to the real question: for the price of a Renault, is it better to buy a Renault... or a Maserati Levante? The answer lies largely in the engine.
Under the hood: three engines that tell the story of three Maseratis
Over the years, the Levante range has featured a number of powertrains: V6 diesel, V6 petrol, V8 petrol, then a 330 hp 2.L 4-cylinder hybrid at the end of its career. But for a "passion" pre-owned purchase, it's the V6 diesel, V6 petrol and V8 petrol engines that really count.
The V6 3.0L diesel: king of the long haul... and champion of mileage
The most common engine to appear in European ads is this one: the 3.0 V6 diesel with 250 or 275 hp, signed VM Motori and already known on the Ghibli and Quattroporte. On the road, it's a beautiful engine. Torque everywhere, a sound that's discreet but not devoid of character, and low fuel consumption for an SUV weighing over two tons. It's this engine that has enabled the Levante to live its life as a heavy-duty tourer: on Italian and German freeways, in corporate fleets and on private roads... And it shows today: most of the less expensive Levante models have more than 200,000 km, sometimes 300,000 km.
This proves one thing: well used, this V6 diesel can take a lot of mileage. Many owners report a solid car, with no major glitches, provided they stick to maintenance and do what it was designed to do: long journeys rather than constant city driving. But there's another side to the coin. Like many modern diesels, this engine accumulates a number of points of vigilance: FAP (particulate filter) and EGR sensitive to urban journeys, turbos under strain. So, if you're tempted by an inexpensive Levante diesel, you need to see it for what it is: a large SUV that's already well-damped, that has often lived on the freeway and that will require scrupulous attention. The good news is that the 8-speed ZF gearbox is reputed to be very robust, provided it receives regular oil changes and not just "for life" as some manufacturers claim.
In short, diesel is the choice of the pragmatic heavy-duty driver, not the collector. At low prices and high mileage, it can still be very useful.
The 3.0L twin-turbo petrol V6: the real heart of the Levante
If you're looking for the "Maserati experience", look no further than the V6 petrol engine. The 3.0 twin-turbo, codenamed F160, is a V6 designed by Maserati, but assembled by Ferrari. The engine is in aluminum, with two turbos, direct injection and power ratings ranging from 350 hp to 430 hp. A nice touch: the engines were cast and machined in Chrysler factories in the USA, before being sent to Italy for final assembly at Ferrari. On the road, the V6 petrol engine completely changes the Levante's character. Quieter at idle than a diesel, it's much more melodious once you switch to sport mode, with a livelier rev-up and a truly noble engine feel. The car feels lighter and more purposeful, even if its mass remains high. The sound of this V6 is excellent.
As far as reliability is concerned, overall feedback on this V6 is rather good: no major chronic weaknesses in the engine itself, but possible minor worries on the peripheral side (coils, injectors, sensors), as with many modern powertrains. The key, as always, is history: regular oil changes, quality oil, respect for warm-up times. On the other hand, you have to accept the logical trade-off: fuel consumption rises sharply if you take advantage of performance, taxes are higher in some countries, and maintenance costs remain those of a luxury SUV, not a Clio. However, compared with a diesel engine that is beginning to require a succession of FAP, EGR and turbo interventions, the V6 petrol engine may prove "easier" to live with over the long term, especially if you don't drive much.
For a passion purchase, a Levante V6 petrol engine with around 60,000 - 80,000 km on the clock could represent a very good compromise: still relatively fresh, noble engine, good sound, strong image, while remaining accessible at prices that are already well below new.
The 3.8L twin-turbo V8: the "Ferrari in sneakers" option
At the top of the range is the Levante Trofeo, powered by the 3.8 twin-turbo V8 from the Ferrari F154 family. This is the same engine found in some modern Ferraris (California, 488, Portofino, Roma), adapted here for SUV use. It's even the same engine that was upgraded to 6 cylinders for the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio. The power output sets the tone: 580 hp with over 700 Nm of torque, all sent to all four wheels. In concrete terms, a well-launched Levante Trofeo is a catapult capable of keeping up with many "pure" sports cars, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 sec, while remaining a five-seater wagon with boot.
On the second-hand market, these versions remain logically more expensive and rarer. Recent auctions show that they are often resold at still solid prices, but without a runaway success. In the USA, they start at €55,000 $, and in Europe at €60,000. In other words, it's the Levante that will hold its value best, but don't think of them as a speculative investment: they're first and foremost objects of pleasure. In terms of reliability, this V8 is generally robust when serviced in the network or by competent specialists. But everything is more expensive: parts, labor, tires, brakes, insurance. It's all part of the "Ferrari daily" logic.
If you're looking for a Levante for the price of a Renault, let's be honest, it's best to avoid the Trofeo. On the other hand, if you have a larger budget and are aiming for a truly exceptional SUV, it's these V8s that will probably have the most cachet in the long run.
And the 4-cylinder hybrid?
At the end of its career, Maserati offered a hybrid Levante with a 4-cylinder 2.0 turbo GME combined with a lightweight 48V hybrid. On paper, this is the most rational engine: decent power, low fuel consumption, smoother taxation. In reality, it takes away much of the charm that makes a Maserati so interesting.
Reliability: Levante at 300,000 km... and even a V6 petrol at 780,000 km
When you look at the most mileage-laden ads, the "fragile Maserati" image takes a hit. There's a 2017 Levante V6 petrol with a mileage of... 780,000 km, and several V6 diesels with mileage ranging from 250,000 to 335,000 km. Clearly, these aren't SUVs that have been in and out of the bakery: these are cars that have lived on the freeway, often chauffeur-driven, fleet or heavy-duty. Does this mean that a Levante is a Toyota? No. But it does show that, properly maintained, V6 diesel and petrol models can cope with very high mileage.
Who is a used Levante really for?
Overall, the Levante platform is solid: rigorous chassis, Q4 all-wheel drive, 8-speed ZF gearbox that has proved its worth on countless premium and luxury models. Recurring problems are to be found more in the electronics and, of course, in the engines when they have been abused or poorly maintained.
There's one thing to bear in mind: a Levante is still a luxury Maserati. Maintenance through the dealer network or by a good specialist costs hundreds, often thousands of euros. Tires, brakes, body parts, everything is calibrated for a car costing over €100,000 new. The real trap is to be hypnotized by the purchase price and forget the rest. A diesel at €19,000 and 260,000 km that requires a new DPFS, a turbo and four shock absorbers can be very expensive. On the other hand, a well-maintained V6 petrol car with fewer kilometers, purchased at a higher initial price, can offer a much more serene experience.
In short, yes, driving a Maserati Levante "for the price of a Renault" is possible. But that's more of a teasing comparison than a real rational choice. It's the choice of an enthusiast, of someone who knows exactly what he's getting into... and who's ready to line up the bills, not only on the day of purchase, but every year thereafter.
The essential checklist before buying a used Maserati Levante
- Full service history: logbook and invoices essential, ideally from the Maserati network or an Italian specialist. A Levante without service history is to be avoided.
- ZF automatic gearbox: smooth gear changes both hot and cold. An oil change every 60-80,000 km is a big plus, despite the "lubricated for life" feature.
- Controlled suspension/air suspension: no dashboard warnings, no rattling on rough roads, even ride height.
- Engine (cold start): Stable idle, no abnormal knocking, no suspicious exhaust smoke. For petrol, watch the revs. For diesel, listen to the turbo.
- Diesel: FAP & EGR: Ask if any operations have already been carried out. Pay attention to the engine warning lights or anti-pollution message.
- Leaks and engine peripherals: Look under the hood and under the car: oil, coolant, hoses, seepage.
- Transmission Q4: Steer hard at low speed: no suspicious noises or jerks.
- Braking and steering: No vibrations when braking, firm pedal, precise, quiet steering.
- Electronics to be fully tested: Display, GPS, Bluetooth, camera, radars, driving aids, power seats, air conditioning, sunroof, tailgate.
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