Maserati Levante vs MG ZST
What's the difference?

Maserati Levante

—

2021 price

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MG ZST

$14,000 - $24,990

2024 price

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Summary

2021 Maserati Levante

2024 MG ZST

By Stephen Corby

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 3.8L

Turbo 3, 1.3L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

That engine
Surprisingly capable on track
Rear-biased AWD

Happy little price tag
Good features list
Nice kerb-side presence

Dislikes

Not the prettiest Maserati
Seems strange to want to track one
Expensive

Tech needs improving
Upholstery/trims feel plasticky
Rivals have brand new five-star ANCAP ratings

2021 Maserati Levante Summary

Driving a whopping great SUV down the straight on a race track at more than 200km/h sounds like fun, but it actually feels a bit wrong, like entering a baby elephant in a dog show.

These are strange times, of course, and the Maserati Trofeo Levante is a suitably strange vehicle - stylish, classy, expensively appointed family hauler that also has the heart and soul of a race car.

Indeed, while performance SUVs are an increasingly commonplace vehicle, the Levante - which was actually getting along in the tooth as a model before this significant upgrade - has higher performance credibility than most.

That's because it has a big Ferrari V8 driving all four of its wheels and delivering a properly supercar-like 433kW and 730Nm.

It's not what you might call a typical Maserati buyer's car, but then only those who know what the Trofeo badge stands for - shouty insanity, basically - will be interested in this end of town. It is a lot of car, but is it worth the large load of money on the sticker ($330,000)?

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2024 MG ZST Summary

The ZST is essentially an upgraded version of MG's popular small SUV, the ZS.

The ZST sees some tweaks to the overall design and some added standard safety features. So, if you like the original, there's a good chance you'll like the ZST and I've been driving the top-grade Essence variant with my family of three.

The ZST Essence has some stiff competition from similarly specified rivals like the GWM Haval Jolion Lux and Chery Omoda 5 EX offering affordable packages and similar driving experiences. So, what makes the ZST stand out?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Maserati Levante 2024 MG ZST

Verdict

Maseratis are built for a fairly specific niche buyer; someone with a lot of money, someone slightly older and certainly someone who likes the finer things in life and appreciates Italian style, quality and heritage.

They are not, typically, the kind of buyers who want to tear around race tracks like fiends in big, shouty SUVs. But apparently there is a niche within the niche of Maserati fans who do, and they are willing to invest big dollars in vehicles wearing the Trofeo badge, like this Levante.

It might seem a slightly strange creation, a track-mad SUV with a screaming Ferrari engine, but surprisingly, it really does work.

Verdict

Will the MG ZST Essence fit a small family? Absolutely, and all but the middle seat passenger will be comfortable but there are areas open for improvement. Like it's safety, laggy tech and adding a few extra items in the back seat.

Yet, it still offers a good host of features and an attractive package for a reasonable price tag. Unfortunately, my son missed having the basic amenities but did like the sun roof.

Maserati Levante vs MG ZST What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Maserati Levante vs MG ZST
What's the difference?