Whenever the term luxury is thrown around, people expect to see more zeros at the end of the tag. When it comes to cars, luxury manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz hold the biggest market shares and are expected to have expensive cars. However, when comparing two luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Maserati Levante, you may be better off saving $30,000 by going for the former given the Mercedes-Benz GLE price point.

Mercedes-Benz GLE vs. Maserati Levante: price comparison

The Mercedes-Benz GLE and Maserati Levante go toe-to-toe in the luxury SUV comparison, but one vehicle comes out ahead. The GLE comes in three trims: GLE350, GLE450, and GLE580. The base trim GLE350 has a starting MSRP of $58,850, which is much cheaper than a Levante. The GLE450 costs $67,600, while the GLE580 costs $85,000.

While this is still a high price tag for an SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLE prices don’t match Levante prices. The Levante is available in four trims: GT, Modena, Modena S, and Trofeo. The base trim, the GT, has a starting MSRP of $92,195. Upgrading to a Modena will cost you $102,895, while a Modena costs $129,095. The Trofeo will set you back a whopping $168,495.

The Levante is one of the most expensive SUVs on the market, costing over $30,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLE. With the amount you’ll pay for a base trim Levante model, you may be better off getting a higher GLE trim and more features for an even lower price. If you have the money to spend on the Levante, then go for it, but if you’re looking to save money while still cruising around in a luxury SUV, the GLE makes much more sense.

The GLE is higher rated than the Levante

Brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche seem to have figured out the luxury SUV market segment, but Maserati seems to have struggled with the concept with the Levante. The vehicle was introduced in 2017 and hasn’t had any refreshes, but the automaker doesn’t seem to mind. Sure, it’s spacious, fast, and handles well, but for that price, car owners may find more benefits from other luxury SUV contenders like the GLE, and the statistics show just that.

When U.S. News ranked the best luxury midsize SUVs for 2023 and 2024, the GLE took the top spot with an 8.6 score. The publication cited its high-class interior, hefty cargo space, and handling as advantages. The car’s 16-20 mpg fuel economy on city roads and 21-25 mpg on the highway also helped catapult the GLE to No. 1.

However, the Levante came 20th on the list with a 7.0 score, which isn’t too shabby, but for the price, you’d expect it to be among the top contenders. The Levante’s EPA-estimated fuel economy is 13-16 mpg in the city and 20-22 mpg on the highway. The publication complained about the Levante’s high pricing, small cargo area, and underwhelming interior.

Edmunds gave the GLE an 8.4 out of 10 score, ranking it first in its midsize luxury SUVs category, and just like in the U.S. News ranking, the Levante came last with a 7.3 out of 10 score in 11th place. With the Mercedes-Benz GLE price being way less, that’s not good for the Levante.

Mercedes-Benz GLE price: value for money

Luxury cars usually carry a higher price tag, and while the Mercedes-Benz GLE price is still relatively costly, it provides a balance of technology, performance, and premium features that justifies its price. The car’s interior is made from fine materials such as wood, genuine leather, and metal, giving it a luxurious look and feel.

It has a 12.3-inch touchscreen that allows you to interact with the system in various ways, including the MBUX voice recognition system. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard. On the other hand, the Levante has an 8.4-inch touchscreen and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay but has no mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.