Used Maserati Levante review and buying guide (2016 to 2024): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Maserati Levante should you buy?

There's no year of Levante to single out, because no known fault is tied to early or late cars and nothing separates the first 2016 examples from the last ones sold in 2024. That's a gap in the evidence, not a clean bill of health, so the condition and paperwork of the car in front of you matter far more than its age.

What decides it is whether you get on with how the Levante drives. The steering's heavy when you're parking yet tells you little in bends, and that doesn't change from one year to the next. If it bothers you on the test drive, don't expect a newer or older Levante to feel any different, because it's how the car's set up.

Which Levante engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

No Levante engine can be singled out as the safe one, since there are no known faults or service intervals to go on for any of them. The diesel only comes up for how it sounds in Sport mode, not how it holds up, so treat that silence as missing evidence rather than proof it's trouble-free.

The gear selector is the part that draws criticism. It's clunky to move, and it's easy to land in P when you meant to pick R, which you'll notice every time you reverse into a space. Try it several times on the viewing, going from D to R and back, and make sure you can find reverse first time.

What should you check when viewing a used Levante?

Listen for a knock from the nearside rear. One owner who bought a Levante in December 2017 heard one within a week and was told every Levante does it, and that Maserati wasn't prioritising a fix because it isn't a safety issue and doesn't affect the drive. Go slowly over a broken surface with the radio off, and if the car's had a rear knock looked at, ask for the paperwork showing what was found and done.

If you drive briskly, try a firm stop on the test drive. The brakes are fine at a normal pace but don't have much in reserve when you push on, so decide whether that's enough for the way you drive before you hand over any money.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Maserati Levante cost to run?

What do Levante owners like about them?

The Levante's appeal is that it doesn't look like every other premium SUV. It's sophisticated and stylish, with enough presence to stand apart in a car park full of rivals, and that's the main reason to pick one over a more obvious choice.

The ride's very comfortable, thanks to the air suspension. Press Sport mode and the diesel takes on a harder, more aggressive note, which gives it some character when you're in the mood. The boot's big, so it isn't short of space for luggage.

• The Levante offers a sophisticated and stylish appearance, distinguishing it from other SUVs on the market.
• Air suspension provides exceptional comfort during journeys, making the car incredibly smooth on the move.
• Engaging Sport mode enhances the diesel engine's sound, giving it a more aggressive and engaging tone.
• The spacious boot features an electric tailgate as a standard inclusion, offering convenience for owners.