SUVs have proven to be a cash cow for nearly every performance brand. Their extra versatility makes them far more appealing to a wider audience than low-slung sports cars, which is why even a supercar maker like Lamborghini finds its SUV, the Urus, far outselling its exotic two-doors. The combination of performance, practicality, and comfort has turned high-riding machines into profit powerhouses, reshaping the economics of premium automakers.Somehow, the magic never quite happened for Maserati, even with two SUVs in the lineup: the midsize Levante and compact Grecale. The Levante is now gone, having bowed out after the 2024 model year without a successor. Early quality issues, obvious parts sharing with Stellantis’ volume brands, and brutal depreciation sealed the model's fate – we’re talking 50% in three years. For the used buyer, that means you can snag one at a bargain.Pricing was accurate at the time of writing, but the Levante’s depreciation is savage, and actual figures can shift quickly. Maserati Levante: A Mixed Bag Maserati Porsche led the way for performance brands offering SUVs when the first Cayenne was launched in 2002. Poignantly, Maserati could have shared much of that same early-mover advantage, as the Italian marque rolled out its original Kubang SUV concept just one year after the Cayenne’s debut. However, plenty of dilly-dallying, including presenting another, more polished Kubang concept in 2011, meant Maserati didn't get around to launching the Levante until 2016.Strangely, that long gestation didn’t result in a refined, well-crafted powerhouse of an SUV. Quite the opposite. Contrary to popular belief, the Levante didn’t borrow its platform from the previous-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. Instead, it rode on Maserati’s own architecture, shared with the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans.However, in an obvious cost-cutting move, the infotainment system, engine starter button, and bits like the window and wiper controls were lifted straight from the Grand Cherokee and many other Stellantis vehicles. Considering the Levante sold for six figures, it’s easy to see why some owners may have felt shortchanged.But Maserati's mistakes didn't end there. Despite being such an important model, Maserati didn’t lead with the most potent variant to curry favor with the media and early adopters, unlike Porsche, which launched the Cayenne in V8-powered S and Turbo guises. Instead, the Levante arrived initially with a gas V6 and – in Europe – a diesel V6 that one would consider an odd powertrain choice for a Maserati.None of the V6 models feel particularly fast or sounded especially good, and to make matters worse, the diesel – with its unmistakable clatter – is the same unit found in several Ram trucks and Jeeps, further tarnishing the luster of the Maserati marque.And that luster was one of the Levante’s main selling points, because, by most objective measures, it trailed the Cayenne while costing more. Take the 2024 Levante: the base model packed 345 horsepower and started at $102,000. You could get similar performance from the Porsche for $22,800 less – and not have to brace for steep depreciation. Heck, you could have even opted for the V8-powered Cayenne S with 468 hp and still have $6,300 left over.Maserati One bright spot in the Levante lineup was the V8, a Ferrari-built unit that became available in 2019. It makes the Levante sound like what you expect a Maserati to sound like and gives the SUV some serious pace. After a spirited drive, you’ll swear you’ve been hustling a V8-powered hot hatch rather than a midsize SUV. Better still, the V8 Levante backs up its straight-line punch with sharp, composed handling, staying impressively flat through corners and delivering steering that feels precise and genuinely engaging for a vehicle of its size. How Much To Pay Today Maserati The Levante never made a ton of sense at full retail, but on the used market, it suddenly becomes a lot more tempting. Three-year-old examples can go for half their original MSRP, and five-year-old Levantes sometimes drop as much as 70%. Even better, most of these SUVs have shockingly low mileage.The 2024 model was the Levante’s swansong, and cars from that year are just hitting the three-year mark, which means they still carry Maserati’s four-year/50,000-mile factory warranty. In the classifieds, 2024 Levantes start around $55,000 for the base GT version, and even at this price, many examples have under 20,000 miles, and some with fewer than 10,000 miles, making them nearly like new. If you want to step up to the more powerful Modena trim, expect to spend at least $65,000.Maserati The V8-powered Trofeo and V8 Ultima trims still command a steep premium, as they are among Maserati’s last V8 models. Prices for these start around $120,000. Of course, looking at earlier model years can yield more affordable options. For example, 2023 V8 Levantes can be found starting from as low as $50,000. These Alternative SUVs May Be Better Buys Porsche Maseratis have long carried a reputation for poor reliability and high maintenance and repair costs, which likely contributes to their steep depreciation. Independent data on the Levante is limited due to low sales volume, but CarEdge, a website that analyzes likely maintenance and repair costs for individual vehicles, estimates a 27% chance of the Levante needing a major repair in its first five years, which is better than the class average. The site also projects that total maintenance and repair costs over the same period are below average for the segment.If you're concerned, the Porsche Cayenne is arguably a better buy than the Levante in almost every way, apart from, perhaps, exclusivity. You may also want to consider the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – if you can live with its slightly smaller footprint. The Alfa is also a product of Stellantis, and although it shares interior parts with some high-volume models, Alfa’s designers did a much better job of integrating them in a way that you barely notice.Alfa Romeo The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is also one of the best-handling SUVs on the market. We're talking truly supercar-like, thanks to a well-tuned chassis and a precise, perfectly weighted steering system that delivers excellent feedback. Its Ferrari-built twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is also a firecracker of an engine. It produces 505 hp, enough to make the Stelvio Quadrifoglio just as quick as the V8 Levante. You'll find 2024 examples starting around $70,000, while 2023 models are currently available for about $50 k. A Decent SUV With Some Rough Edges Maserati In the end, the Levante isn’t a bad vehicle, so long as you recalibrate your expectations of what a Maserati should be and shop smart on the used market, where heavy depreciation works in your favor. As a comfortable daily driver with striking Italian styling, it’s easy to live with and even easier to admire in your driveway. That trident badge up front still carries weight and will undoubtedly impress the neighbors. Then again, so will some of the better-rounded alternatives that manage to deliver more substance along with the style.