Compare the2024 Maserati LevanteVS 2024 BMW XM

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Maserati Levante are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW XM doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Levante and the XM have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Maserati vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Maserati above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Levante gets better mileage than the XM running its gasoline engine:

The Levante has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XM (21.1 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Levante stops shorter than the XM:

The front and rear suspension of the Levante uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XM, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Levante has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Levante’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XM doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Levante’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The XM doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Levante’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the XM’s (48.9% to 51.1%). This gives the Levante more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Levante has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XM (9.7 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Levante to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Maserati Levante may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 to 1100 pounds less than the BMW XM.

The Levante is 4.2 inches shorter than the XM, making the Levante easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Levante Modena is quieter than the XM (79 vs. 83 dB).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Levante’s rear seats recline. The XM’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Levante has a much larger cargo volume than the XM with its rear seat up (20.5 vs. 18.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Levante easier. The Levante’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.7 inches, while the XM’s liftover is 32.8 inches.

The Levante’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The XM’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Levante’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The XM doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Levante’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XM does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Levante to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XM doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Levante has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the XM only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Levante to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XM doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.