Finding a good Italian restaurant in North Carolina is no easy feat. You’ve got to wade through piles of Stromboli and deep-dish pizza before you finally get to the crispy bruschetta and pasta e fagioli.

And until just recently, finding a good Italian SUV in North Carolina wasn’t easy either. But fear not, for the Maserati Levante has just rolled into Maserati of Raleigh, and this SUV is the cavallo di battaglia (or, pièce de résistance).

2017 Maserati Levante

Named after a western Mediterranean wind that blows through the Strait of Gibraltar, the Levante is every bit as beautiful as it sounds. All-wheel drive comes standard, as does an eight speed automatic transmission, and you’re given the choice of a 345hp or 424hp V-6 engine.

Either of those engines will blast you from 0-60 in under 6 seconds, and both are capable of towing nearly 6000lbs. There’s also a sport mode that livens up the throttle response and stiffens the suspension for improved cornering that’ll make you feel like you bought a GrandTurismo. In fact, the cornering is so good, Car and Driver writes that it rivals the Ghibli in terms of handling.

Maserati Reveal Video

Numbers and features don’t do it justice, though. The Levante’s mystique can’t be explained through a spec sheet. The only way to really experience it is to sit behind the wheel and drive it for yourself. If that’s something you’d like to do, the good people at Maserati of Raleigh can definitely help make that happen.

For those who don’t have time to make it out to the dealership, we’d encourage you to check out the Maserati Levante reveal event video:

So if you’ve been looking at the BMW X6, the Porsche Cayenne, or the Mercedes-Benz GLE, we’d encourage you not to overlook the Maserati Levante. It’s one of the most unique, and advanced SUVs on the road.

Until next time, arrivederci!

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