MASERATI’s first SUV, which went on sale two years ago, has been updated to make it fighting fit to battle rivals such as the latest Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne.

The facelifted Levante has been given new bumpers, trims and, perhaps most importantly, a new engine variant.

Last week, motoring journalists were invited to the north-east of England to test the new 350bhp version of the 3.0-litre petrol unit on the area’s open and undulating roads.

The Ferrari-built twin-turbo V6, with its beautiful soundtrack, makes a compelling case for choosing Maserati’s SUV.

The engine is muscular, happy to rev, and especially potent at the higher end of the rev range.

It offers the luxury and comfort that you’d expect of a Maserati grand tourer, but is then capable of effortless performance, surging from 0-62mph in just 6.0 seconds onto a theoretical top speed of 156mph.

While the automatic box is responsive to throttle inputs, the Levante really comes into its own when the driver takes control of the ratio changes by using the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.

At that point, it’s possible to use the car’s 500Nm of torque to its full potential to pull you out of corners with great poise and balance.

When you reach higher speeds, the Levante is stable and quiet as it goes along the road, with the suspension striking a nice balance between comfort and a feeling of contact with the road. That means that, when the time comes to test its handling capabilities, it feels fairly agile, crisp and trustworthy.

Engage sport mode and things become more taut and eager, with the ‘feel’ provided through the weighty steering and the relative absence of body roll inspiring great confidence.

In terms of its design concept, the Levante combines coupé lines with interior space for five people. The vehicle is instantly recognisable from a distance, thanks to its imposing grille and a silhouette that flows along the side of the car from the feline headlights to the characteristic Maserati rear pillar.

The car’s character is enhanced by frameless doors – a feature of modern Maserati cars.

The muscular shape of the rear haunches underscores the car’s genuinely Italian style.

Once you’re inside, the cabin has the elegant and sophisticated feel that you come to expect of Maserati.

The interior design is focused either on luxury or sportiness, respectively in the GranLusso and GranSport trims.

The state-of-the art infotainment system is blended nicely with precious materials like the newly introduced full-grain Pieno Fiore natural leather.

The dashboard is designed around the 8.4” Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC+) display, which features updated graphics and improved air conditioning functions.

The central console hosts the new gearshift lever and a revised button cluster for the driving modes, the characteristic double rotary knob for basic infotainment functions and the air suspension height setup switch.

The instrument panel is backlit with white light that contrasts beautifully with the warm cabin lighting.

In the centre of the dashboard is the classic Maserati analogue clock with black background dial, white backlighting, aluminium interior finish and chrome surround.

There’s certainly no shortage of space in the cabin, with the rear seats comfortably accommodating three passengers providing them generous headroom. The luggage compartment has a versatile load space of 580 litres, which is ideal for large items.

The name Maserati will always have a certain emotional appeal, but this vehicle - especially with its new engine – adds an large dollop of practicality.