Classic Maserati with a pinch of Chrysler: The Levante S GranSport, reviewed

Review cars long enough and a pattern emerges. Car is dropped off, people find out what you're driving, ask a couple of cursory questions, and that's it. That's because while most of the crossovers and SUVs I review are compelling in their own way, they are still yet-another SUV.

Not so with the Maserati Levante S GranSport. No car that I've driven has garnered as many looks and questions as Maserati's $80,000+ SUV, and for good reason. It's a stunner.

Maserati has a long and storied history. Founded in 1914, the company is probably best known these days for making fast, expensive, and luxurious cars that are easy on the eyes. The Levante is no exception. It's all sleek, gentle curves on the outside with the hood in perfect proportion to the cabin. Although it's a two-row SUV, it's only 2 inches (5cm) shorter than three-row SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Mazda CX-9 and about 5 inches (12.5cm) longer than a Q5 or BMW X5. From the side, the exterior is adorned only with the iconic trident on the C pillar and three vents right as the hood slopes into the windshield. From the front, the trident sits dead center in the large grille with a large air intake below.

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