There are luxury SUVs, and then there are ultra-premium, high-performance luxury SUVs. Care to guess which one of these categories the Maserati Levante is a member? The new Maserati Levante is named, aptly, after a Mediterranean wind that can change from calm to raging in nearly no time at all. The Maserati Levante luxury SUV features a similar capability for Newton and Norwood drivers, but without the unpredictability quotient of the weather.

The Maserati Levante switches from pampering luxury SUV to scorching high-performance SUV whenever you say it's time. Don't you long for an SUV with such power? We thought so. If you want to learn all about this Maserati SUV, read on, dear drivers from Boston, Quincy, and Providence, RI. We'll fill you in on all the details of this Maserati SUV's defining characteristics.

PERFORMANCE

The Maserati Levante is, after all, a Maserati. That means it offers dynamic driving and powerful performance capabilities. Advanced Maserati Q4 all-wheel-drive, an active air suspension with six settings, and a limited slip-differential make the Levante both off-road-ready and fun-to-drive.

Under the Levante's hood packs your choice of two 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines, producing 345 or 424 hp, or a new-for-2019 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 -- equipped on the Levante GTS and Trofeo -- producing 550 or 590 hp, respectively.

TECHNOLOGY & INFOTAINMENT

Because modern drivers require modern technology, the Levante comes equipped with a 7-inch TFT display along with the intuitive Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC+) system.

This system is equipped with a large 8.4-inch touchscreen but also features a prominent rotary control and voice commands for alternative methods of control. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are also supported by the MTC+ system on the Maserati Levante for seamless smartphone integration.

EXTERIOR STYLING

The Maserati Levante boasts the trademark "Trident of Neptune" up front, surrounded by a glistening, sculptural grille and two-part headlamps.

Muscular arched fenders and a high beltline that elegantly tapers from back to front near the rear quarter panels and second-row doors hint at the performance capability and prowess of which this Maserati is capable.

Maserati signature triple air vents on the front fenders and Saetta logo in the rear section make the fact that this is a Maserati absolutely undeniable.

SAFETY FEATURES

The Maserati Levante is as safe as it is capable and powerful thanks to advanced safety engineering and many active advanced safety features, including:

• Highway Assist System (HAS)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Forward Collision Warning Plus
• Active Blind Spot Assist and Rear Cross Path function
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function