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The SUV’s appeal seemingly knows no bounds. Auto-makers who have never dabbled in anything that vaguely resembles an off-roader are forced to plunge into the segment headfirst to remain competitive.
The market is flooded with virtually every type of SUV. There are basic models with mountain goat-like rock-crawling ability like the Suzuki Jimny, palaces on wheels fit for a sultan like the Mercedes-Maybach G650 and dozens of varieties in between. Several SUVs fit the bill if it’s performance you’re after. Here are the models that emphasize the ‘sport’ in sport utility vehicle.
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Mazda CX-5 – 187hp
Responsive steering and a buttoned-down chassis make the Mazda CX-5 the driver’s choice in its segment. Engineers clearly injected some of the chromosomes that make the MX-5 great into this Honda CR-V-fighting SUV. It remains a mainstream model that needs to appeal to a wide selection of buyers so it’s not a powerhouse, but its superb driving dynamics are nicely complemented by a handsome design and an upmarket interior. It’s a well-rounded package for US$24,095.
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Mini John Cooper Works Countryman – 228hp
With the John Cooper Works Countryman, Mini aims to demonstrate good things come in relatively small packages. Its 228hp rating makes it one of the least powerful cars on our list but it was born with the genes that make the Mini hatchback a hoot to drive. The so-called ‘big Mini’ accelerates like a Volkswagen GTI, but our road testers noted it might not be worth the hefty price premium over the Countryman S. Mini asks US$37,800 for the John Cooper Works versus US$31,200 for the S.
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Subaru Forester 2.0XT – 250hp
It’s not a WRX STI by any means, but the 2.0XT variant of the Subaru Forester packs a 250hp punch from a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine. It’s one of the quickest models in its competitive set, and all-wheel drive helps it deliver sharp, precise handling. It’s proof you don’t need a thirsty V8 or a rock star paycheck to have fun behind the wheel of an SUV. It’s generously equipped at US$29,495.
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Porsche Macan GTS – 355hp
Billed as the Porsche Macan for driving enthusiasts, the GTS neatly occupies the space between the S and Turbo models in terms of performance and price. The 355hp V6 makes the GTS impressive on paper, but it stands out even more on a winding road thanks to a well-balanced chassis and rear-biased power distribution. We concluded it’s one of the most entertaining SUVs out there, especially given its relatively reasonable price tag of US$68,900.
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Jaguar F-Pace S – 380hp
The quickest F-Pace Jaguar currently offers is the S, which posts a 5.1-second 0-60mph time. It handles more like a sedan than an SUV, which was Jaguar’s intent all along, and the firm has plans to pelt it deeper yet into sports car territory. The F-Pace is in line to receive a 5.0-liter V8 transplant that will bestow 570hp upon it. We expect to see the model break cover in the coming months. In the meantime, the F-Pace S can be yours for US$59,775.
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Cadillac Escalade – 420hp
The minibus-sized, truck-derived Cadillac Escalade doesn’t seem like a serious contender for the high-performance label, but hear us out. Its 6.2-liter V8 allows it to take off from a standing start and reach 60 mph just six seconds later, a figure that comfortably places it in Volkswagen GTI territory. Just don’t try to hit an apex with it. At US$73,395 it’s one of the most expensive members of the Cadillac line-up.
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Maserati Levante S – 424hp
After the Porsche of SUVs, the BMW of SUVs and the AMG of SUVs comes the Maserati of SUVs. Entering the segment is a no-brainer for a small Italian firm whose top executives set lofty sales goals. There’s no V8 available yet so the top-spec engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developed with input from former sister company Ferrari to deliver 424hp. You’ll need to wait a few more years if it’s the Ferrari badge, not the engine, that you’re after. It will cost considerably more than the Levante S, which starts at US$85,250.
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Dodge Durango SRT – 475hp
The specifications sheet is spectacular: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, 475hp, a 0-60mph time of 4.4sec and available Pirelli P Zero tires. It sounds like a muscle car until you get to the part that lists seating for seven passengers, 84.5 cubic feet of trunk space and an 8,700lb towing capacity. With the Durango SRT, Dodge unleashed a drag racer for the entire family. Its US$64,090 price tag places it on luxury car soil, an ambitious move on Dodge’s part.
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Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – 505hp
The Stelvio isn’t Alfa Romeo’s first off-roader. That honor goes to the Matta, a Jeep-aping vehicle designed at the request of the Italian government. However, it’s the first Alfa-badged SUV built around performance, not off-pavement shenanigans. The Rubicon Trail be damned; it’s not by chance that the Stelvio is named after a mountain pass, not a peak, in the Alps.
The Quadrifoglio variant receives the same Ferrari-calibrated 2.9-liter V6 as the Giulia of the same name. It’s a model the Germans can’t afford to ignore, especially if it’s priced competitively. Alfa Romeo hasn’t released pricing yet, however.
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Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S 4Matic+ – 510hp
Mercedes-Benz never stuffed a V8 engine into the GLK, at least not for public consumption. The demand wasn’t there. Times change, markets evolve and it’s now a lot easier to make a sound business case for such a model. The GLC63 S Coupe shares its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with the C63 S. If you’re routinely late taking your kids to school, a people-mover with over 500hp might solve your problem. Look for a pricing announcement in the coming months.
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Porsche Cayenne Turbo – 550hp
15 years ago, who would have thought we’d see not one but two Porsche models in a group like this? Porsche surprised the entire industry by introducing the original Cayenne in 2002 and it has perfected the recipe over the course of three generations. The brand-new third-generation model remains the SUV that drives most like a sports car, especially in Turbo guise. You’ll need to spend at least US$116,500 to put a Cayenne Turbo in your garage.
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BMW X5 M – 567hp
There’s no unwritten rule that claims BMW’s ‘ultimate driving machine’ tagline only applies to passenger cars. The auto-maker jumped into the SUV segment before its rivals so it has had plenty of time to ensure the X5 credibly lists ‘road-hugging’ on its resume. As its name implies, the X5 M is to the standard X5 what the M5 is to the 5 Series. It benefits from a 567hp V8 plus comprehensive braking, steering and chassis upgrades that elevate its handling to world-class status. The long list of tweaks helps justify its US$100,700 price tag.
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BMW X6 M – 567hp
The BMW X6 M is identical to the X5 M on paper, but it turns up the crazy with a sleek, fastback-like body that product planners in Munich insist on calling a coupe. Once a unique proposition on the market, the X6 has spawned a growing panoply of competitors in Germany and abroad. Several more rivals will arrive in the coming years. The swoopy design commands US$104,100.
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Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR – 575hp
Should a Range Rover be capable of keeping up with a Porsche 911 down a drag strip? The answer is a resounding yes. Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport SVR is another puzzling concoction that somehow works very, very well and we rate this car a 5-star hit. It receives a supercharged 575hp evolution of the 5.0-liter V8 that’s ubiquitous across the Jaguar and Land Rover line-ups. Its air suspension delivers a flat and firm ride, especially with the Dynamic setting engaged. US$113,600 puts you in the driver’s seat.
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Mercedes-AMG GLS63 – 577hp
Unlike many other 63-badged members of the Mercedes-AMG family, the GLS has resisted the inclination to downsize and retained its twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. The 577hp eight moves the 5900lb GLS with surprising ease, if not grace. It’s the biggest Mercedes money can buy so don’t expect it to take a corner like a Caterham Seven. It’s a lot of car for the money, even at US$125,300.
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Bentley Bentayga – 600hp
Performance is one of the Bentley Bentayga’s numerous facets. It’s big, bulky and so lavish we’re surprised it doesn’t offer a sauna, but it makes up for its weight with a 600hp W12 engine fed by a pair of turbochargers and backed up by an eight-speed gearbox. Push the throttle pedal down to the floor and the Bentayga defies the laws of physics with a growl that could only come from a 12-cylinder.
As if that weren’t impressive enough, we hear Bentley is developing an even quicker model worthy of the coveted Speed nameplate. The investment is understandable; the Bentayga has been a huge hit for Bentley in spite of its US$230,000 base price and now accounts for 1-in-3 of its US sales.
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Tesla Model X – 603hp
The Tesla Model X’s nerve center is a massive, 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack stuffed under the passenger compartment. The two motors draw electricity from the pack to zap the four wheels with 603hp and 713lb ft of torque, which translates to a 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds. With Ludicrous Mode engaged, the X silently keeps up with impossibly fast machines like the Lamborghini Aventador S, the Ferrari F12tdf and the Porsche 911 Turbo S. Gull-wing rear doors ensures every journey is an occasion. Set aside US$140,000 for your very own Model X.
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Mercedes-AMG G65 – 621hp
The Mercedes-AMG G65 breaks all the rules of aerodynamics. Highly resistant to change since 1979, the squared-off body hides a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that places 621hp under the driver’s right foot. The current G-Class is not long for this world, but an all-new model is right around the corner. AMG’s alchemists are already looking at ways to ratchet up its performance quotient. At US$220,400, the G65 is one of the most expensive SUVs on the market.
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Lamborghini Urus – 650hp
Scheduled to make its debut in early December, the Urus will inaugurate Lamborghini’s first-ever turbocharged engine. The unit in question is a 4.0-liter V8 rated at 650hp in its most basic state of tune. Lamborghini designed the Urus to effortlessly plough through mud, sand, snow or gravel, but R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani told us it will exhibit supercar-like prowess on the track. We can’t wait to see it. Pricing information hasn’t been released yet. This picture is of the preview concept car from 2012. In platform terms it will be a sister vehicle to the Audi SQ7, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne.
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Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk – 707hp
Chrysler product planners must have received a memo that reads “Hellcat everything!” After powering the Dodge Challenger and Charger, the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 re-located to the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s engine bay. Its 707hp output remains un-changed but it’s hooked up to an all-wheel drive system for the first time. The Trackhawk performs the benchmark 0-60mph sprint in 3.5 seconds. That’s impressive for any car, let alone one that tips the scale at about 5300lb. Pricing starts at US$85,900.
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