2020 Maserati Levante

The Levante is Maserati's luxury SUV, the one that brings Italian flair to the segment and competes with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. It drives with a sporting character that's rare in an SUV, with sharp steering and a chassis that feels eager through corners. The ride is on the firm side, which is the trade for how well it handles, but it settles down nicely on the highway. Inside, you get a handsome cabin with quality materials, though the rear seat and cargo area are a bit snug for the class. If you want the Levante experience without the V8's fuel bills, the base model delivers the same Italian character for a lower entry price. The 3.0L V6 makes 345 horsepower and pairs with a eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, good for a 0-60 time around six seconds. Fuel economy is a real-world 17 mpg combined, which is typical for a heavy, powerful SUV at 4,650 pounds.