What Makes Maserati Levante Hybrid SUV Suitable Match For Indian Roads — Detailed Review
The total power on offer is a robust 330bhp and 450Nm while the 8-speed auto does a nice job of letting the Levante play the role of a luxury SUV.
Maserati is known for making cars with style and with its cars, performance matters more than anything else. In its range, the Levante SUV is their best-selling model and that is not hard to see why since India is an SUV-obsessed market and it also makes sense for our roads. With electrification being the talk of the town, Maserati also had to adapt and along with a proper electric vehicle being available globally, the Levante also got a hybrid option.
The powertrain here is a mild-hybrid unit that comes with a 2.0 litre turbo petrol along with a 48V mild hybrid system. The total power on offer is a robust 330bhp and 450Nm while the 8-speed auto does a nice job of letting the Levante play the role of a luxury SUV.
0-100 km/h takes place in 6 seconds while it goes onto a top speed of 240 km/h. However, the question is whether it is a real Maserati or not.
It starts quietly and is refined with a focus on efficiency while you can play around with the modes which alter the performance delivery. For stop-go traffic, the Levante Hybrid is quiet and easy to drive while the gearbox is smooth too. What also felt surprising is that despite those huge 21-inch wheels and the obvious sporty nature, the Levante rides very well along with coping with our roads.
That said, we were keen to see whether the Levante is a true Maserati and took it across a set of twisty roads. To get the best out of the Levante Hybrid, you need to select Sport and that is where it becomes a true Maserati. The power delivery becomes urgent and the exhaust note becomes louder- it feels as if it is a V6. Power is ample and when you push hard, those lovely paddle shifters are also a crucial part of the driving experience as the car enthusiastically enters into a corner. The Levante feels sportier and more of a performance car than its rivals with Sport mode making it feel like it is worthy of the badge.
You also sit lower and feel like driving a sports car while the leather-covered cabin is all about style with a proper old-school look. The Levante is comfortable and spacious while being well equipped but it is not about the tech on offer but the emotional side of things.
With the hybrid, you also get double digital mileage and it is quiet and refined while the air suspension makes it capable on our roads too.
The Hybrid then is a Maserati when you want it to be but is also a silent, capable luxury SUV otherwise. The cool looks and the driving experience make it different from rivals and then there is that badge that makes it stand out- all of which matters when you are spending Rs 1.5 cr on an SUV.
What we like- Performance, looks, driving experience, quality
What we do not- Expensive
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