Maserati is a magical name in Italian car culture. Founded by the Maserati Brothers on the 1st December 1914, at N° 1 Via de’ Pepoli in Bologna, the Italian marque has always produced cars that have style, class and a sporting pedigree.

The Levante, named after the Mediterranean wind, has a mix that is new for Maserati; luxurious, but also adventurous. All versions of the Levante have an eight-speed gearbox and intelligent Q4 All Wheel Driver with a torque vectoring system to move power around the wheels where it is needed. There are dynamic five ride heights to choose from via advanced active air suspension. This is a Maserati that is equally happy both on and off the road.

Luxury leather fits in with the Italian bespoke feel
The model Maserati loaned me was sporting a very striking Blu Emozione paint colour, which suited the lines of the Levante so well. Inside it had the luxury leather you expect from an Italian sports car, in the colour of Cuoio. It’s the sort of tobacco colour that suits Italian car interiors so well. The trim had been finished with High Gloss Ebano Wood that had a beautiful grain – just think of the wood finish you might see on a vintage Riva Boat and you are in that territory. It felt so luxurious and fitted in with the Italian bespoke feel.

It was reassuring to see the traditional Maserati clock in place, the iconic oval, proudly sporting the Maserati Trident logo. The Silver Trident also features at the heart of the perfectly shaped steering wheel and displays on the Touch Control 8.4” media screen. The driving position in the Levante feels like you are in a Maserati sports car and not a Sports Utility Vehicle. The 3.0 litre V6 Turbo Diesel power plant (with 275 bhp) started with a press of the stop/start button, and the automatic box can be driven normally or, when you are after a more sporty experience, you can use the shift paddles.

There is a sport button on the Levante that, pressed once, prepares the SUV for those curvy English B-roads, and when pressed again adapts the dampers for spirited driving. The handling of the Maserati was sublime due to a low centre of gravity and perfect 50-50 weight distribution.

Advanced safety features
The Levante also has advanced safety features – reassuring for the family driver – including six dual-stage airbags, active headrests and a tyre pressure monitoring system, as well as optional ‘active’ safety technology designed to help prevent collisions. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Alert, Rear Cross Path detection, and Lane Departure and Forward Collision warning systems.

For someone who wants Italian elegance, a bespoke feel and a capable vehicle for many situations, the new Maserati Levante is a perfect choice. The 3.0 litre V6 Turbo Diesel Levante starts at £54,335 on the road.