2020 Maserati Levante

Maserati has an eclectic lineup. Its SUVs are positioned as alternatives to Audi, BMW, and Porsche for luxury car buyers, while the MC20 and GT2 Stradale are low-volume supercars that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In between those, there’s the Quattroporte sedan, GranTurismo coupe, and GranCabrio convertible, cars that any Beverly Hills or Miami hotspot would valet out front. In the past, many Maserati vehicles had engines co-developed with Ferrari, but that partnership is no longer. Consumer Reports has only tested the Grecale, an SUV that competes with similarly sized models from Audi, BMW, and Porsche. We enjoyed its sports-car engine note and agile handling, but ended up aggravated by its many quirks.

The Levante is Maserati's first-ever SUV, built on the same platform as the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans. Engine choices are 345-hp, V6 on the base model, 424-hp for the S version, and up to 590-hp for the Trofeo. The Levante delivers a thrilling sound from the Ferrari-developed engine, with nimble, athletic handling and, courtesy of the standard air suspension, a steady ride. Interior features include a version of Chrysler's Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touch screen and a stunning cabin that's wrapped in leather, suede, and wood, with comfortable seats and nice detailed stitching. However, the shifter is unintuitive to use. Safety gear includes forward-collision warning with brake assist and lane-departure warning.