2019 Maserati Levante Base

The Levante is Maserati's first SUV, a stylish alternative to the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. It drives with a sporty edge, thanks to a low seating position and responsive steering that belie its size. The ride is firm but controlled, and the cabin stays quiet at highway speeds. Inside, you get rich leather and a well-built feel, though rear legroom is a bit tight for the class. With 345 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque routed through the eight-speed automatic, the Levante Base feels eager off the line and sounds fantastic doing it, though you'll see 17 mpg combined around town. The Base's standard air suspension gives you a controlled ride that firms up nicely in Sport mode, a feature that costs extra on many rivals.