SUVs sure are popular. They have many appealing features: power, cargo capacity, passenger carrying capacity, speed, intimidating looks, go-anywhere attitude, and make their drivers feeling commanding and powerful. Many of the SUVs on this list deliver on those. They sit high, giving their drivers a commanding view of the road. They have big V8 engines that pump out high amounts of horsepower. They can tow all of your big toys, with some of the SUVs on this list having the ability to tow upwards of 8,000 pounds. Some of the SUVs are even faster than many sports cars available on the market.

However, many of these SUVs fall short. They are piddly 4-cylinders. They have cheap, plastic interiors that many luxury SUVs on this list trounce with ease. Some of them even come in FWD, which is not something you want in a big, bad, and intimidating SUV. Nothing says unintimidating like being stuck in a snowbank or spinning out on a rainy road. Especially when some of the SUVs on this list can get from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, the bar has been raised incredibly high in the SUV segment. While it's not realistic to expect all SUVs on the market to achieve this, many of these cost over $50,000 and for that money, solid performance is expected. Read on to find the best (and worst) of powerful and imposing SUVs.

20 Big and Bad: Toyota Sequoia

This behemoth of an SUV is due for a refresh but still delivers on what a big SUV should give to drivers.

It has a burly V8 engine that pumps out 381 horsepower, but that only gets the SUV to 60 in 6.7 seconds. However, the Sequoia can carry 8 people and tow 7,400 pounds, so it’s unlikely that you’ll care too much about the slower ride.

You’ll feel incredibly commanding from the driver’s seat, and this feeling is one that can only be acquired by having a truly large ride. With plenty of space for friends and the capacity to tow your toys, the Sequoia is a catalyst for a good time.

19 Big and Bad: Chevrolet Tahoe

This choice is obvious. Like the Sequoia, the Chevrolet Tahoe is good at towing big toys, carrying people, and plowing through whatever obstacles are placed in its path. The lumbering SUV is 81 inches wide and 204 inches long, making for a spacious cabin and lots of cargo room.

At $47,500, the Tahoe is reasonably priced for the package. Fuel efficiency is less than ideal at 16 miles per gallon during city driving, but when you’re taking friends and a boat to the lake you won’t care too much. According to Car and Driver, the Tahoe has a stiff and rough ride when traversing broken pavement, but makes up for it when it comes to performing the duties of large SUVs.

18 Big and Bad: GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon is a drivable large SUV with a relatively upscale cabin that sets it apart from its competition. It handles well for its size, increasing the bold factor. You’ll feel confident driving this down the street, peering out at everyone else in their tiny cars.

Unfortunately, the base engine has a dull throttle response, but with the highest trim, your engine will make 420 horsepower.

This is enough to be considered a big and bad SUV, and with a smooth upgraded suspension, you’ll ride around with power and in comfort. A below-average reliability rating is not ideal, but this SUV will make you feel great and subsequently ignore that little tidbit.

17 Big and Bad: Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is an incredibly solid member of the large SUV market segment. The big, three-row SUV has a commanding presence on the road and dwarfs smaller cars with ease.

The powerful engine can make anywhere from 375 to 400 horsepower, making for solid towing capacity. Bold styling gives the Expedition an intimidating look, moving it up on our list. Lots of cargo space and good reliability make this a good all-rounder, capable of delivering were expected. With AWD, bold looks, and a go-anywhere attitude, the Expedition is an aggressive and beefy SUV that easily entices buyers.

16 Big and Bad: Dodge Durango SRT

The Dodge Durango is big and powerful, but surprisingly quick. It sprints to 60 at 4.7 seconds.

A 475-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 makes this feat possible, and weight-saving measures coupled with clever engineering make this SUV quicker than foreign competition.

This ride makes its driver look like the coolest dad on the block, and your kid can bring all of his friends home–quite literally, as the Durango has fold-away third-row seating. Despite the strong sporting capabilities of the Durango, it falls short in luxuries when compared to its competitors. Car and Driver cite that a firm suspension, a fuel-inefficient powertrain, and less-than-adequate warranty coverage make the Dodge look less appealing than its competitors–unless you’re looking for speed.

15 Big and Bad: Acura MDX

Starting at $44,000, the Acura MDX is a big value in a big package. Aggressive and modern styling make for a great-looking ride that intimidates and awes pedestrians.

A 0 to 60 mph time of 5.7 isn’t bad either, making for an exciting ride even if you have to take the kids to school. A comfortable ride, a nicely equipped interior, and good technology offerings blend refinement and power. The MDX relies on its styling to make it aggressive rather than just its size, and it’s safe to say that this is one of the better-looking rides on this list.

14 Big and Bad: Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is an affordable competitor, cheaper than many options on this list.

It starts at just $30,000, but you still get a sizable and intimidating SUV for that price. The Atlas is still capable of towing 5,000 pounds, which is quite reasonable.

The new Atlas is designed to look imposing, with a big grille that makes the SUV appear much wider. It is fairly dialed in and drives smaller than its size, which is much more than can be said of many of the other SUVs on this list. Volkswagen has come a long way in terms of their interior design, and the Atlas is a testament to that.

13 Big and Bad: Infiniti QX80

The Infiniti QX80 is large and in charge, with an imposing boxy body and commanding driving position. The driving experience is relaxed, with a soft suspension that easily absorbs bumps from the road.

Car and Driver reports that the QX80’s engine is powerful and responsive, pumping out 400 horsepower that gets the SUV to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The quiet and luxuriously-equipped cabin is a good place to sit as you observe the road ahead. The biggest downside to the Infiniti, however, is its $66,000 starting price. For just a bit more, you can get into a fully loaded GMC Denali or a Mercedes GLS450.

12 Big and Bad: Bentley Bentayga

Bentley claims that the Bentayga, with a top speed of 187 mph, is the fastest SUV in the world. The Bentayga’s style is big and in-your-face, and its numbers are massive as well.

The Bentley’s massive W-12 engine pumps out an astounding 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, which send it flying down the street to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

The big engine and luxury amenities weigh the poor Bentayga down, however; Car and Driver reports that the extra weight messes with the SUV’s handling. Bentley does also make a V8-powered Bentayga that's lighter and nimbler, although its weight will certainly be felt in corners. However, if you’re going for the biggest and baddest SUV, why settle for the lower trim?

11 Big and Bad: Jaguar F-Pace S

Looking for a handsome, refined SUV that'll be the envy of every other parent waiting to pick up their kid from school? Look no further than the Jaguar F-Pace S. The F-Pace drives well, although Car and Driver notes that a detached-feeling brake pedal seems amiss, but the SUV delivers an otherwise satisfying driving experience.

A 380-horsepower supercharged V-6 contributes to that experience, moving the driver from a stop to 60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds. To top it all off, the F-Pace puts forth the euphoric crackling exhaust note that we all know and love. Rich, premium leather and a chunky steering wheel contribute to a solid driving feel, adding refinement to the experience of driving this SUV. A long hood and sufficiently raised seats make the driver feel powerful and commanding, holding authority over the road in front of him. This British muscle car (or muscle SUV, rather) is big and imposing, and will surely make other drivers get out of your way.

10 Big and Bad: Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is essentially a cheaper Infinity QX80. It has the same 400 horsepower V8 engine that is just as responsive, and an equally comfortable ride, according to Car and Driver.

The Armada is much cheaper than the QX80, coming in at $47,000.

The Armada looks powerful and fancy, punching above its weight class. As seen with its comparison to the Infiniti, it is just as nice of a ride and an imposing SUV that looks boxy, well-designed, and has accents that set it apart from others on the road. With plenty of active (and passive) driver aids, you can confidently roll down the streets.

9 Big and Bad: Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is no slouch, getting up to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. For about $80,000, you get a big, burly SUV that drives right over the competition. The top speed of this SUV is 180 mph, which isn’t too far behind the Bentayga. The Jeep only gets 11 mpg during city driving, but you won’t mind.

Your worries will be left far behind as soon as you press the gas pedal. The Jeep does have a luxurious interior, with comfortable leather and solid technology options. While there are certainly more refined vehicles available for the money, the Trackhawk does its job of being quick better than most of them.

8 Big and Bad: Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is one of the quintessential large SUVs. It is the brand’s flagship SUV, and its chassis is the base for the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

At $50,000, it sits in the middle of the price range for this segment. It can tow 8,000 pounds and has an incredible amount of cargo space. However, a fully loaded Suburban can surpass $70,000, which is quite a lot for one of these cars.

While there are performance variants that run that much, the Suburban is not focused on performance, just on being a big and bad SUV.

7 Big and Bad: Cadillac Escalade

When you think of large and imposing SUVs, the Cadillac Escalade springs to mind. Starting at $74,000, it runs a bit more expensive than the rest of these large SUVs, but with that price tag comes capability and luxury.

The Escalade can tow up to 8,300 pounds, which is no small feat. It also builds speed quickly, getting up to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Its visual presence is quite striking too, making for an eye-catching ride. A beautifully crafted, high-quality interior makes the Escalade much more appealing than its competitors, as Cadillac is known for setting the tone when it comes to domestic luxury.

6 Big and Bad: Mercedes G63 AMG 6X6

The Mercedes G63 AMG 6 x 6 is the biggest and baddest SUV on the road. This may surpass SUV territory and go into “vehicle” territory because there isn’t anything else like it. Nothing says badass like a six-wheeled monstrosity trundling down the road with a big Mercedes badge on the front. It's 83 inches wide and a whopping 231 inches long – huge, by any standards. It's at home off-road and drifting through sand dunes, as Mercedes loves to advertise. The only thing small about the 6 x 6 is its fuel economy – 9 miles per gallon during city driving.

The biggest thing about it might be the price tag – roughly $525,000, according to Motor Trend.

0 to 60 takes 5.8 seconds, but the slower speed doesn’t matter when you’re behind the wheel of this massive ride.

5 Wimpy: Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is not a bad SUV, per se. However, it is not a big, bad, imposing tank like the rest of these rides. After all, the older model starred in The Walking Dead and helped many people escape the jaws of the walkers… but since we don’t live in a TV show, it needs to be judged by other criteria.

Car and Driver cites poor fuel efficiency, a meager number of USB ports, and mediocre performance as the main problems with the Santa Fe. Slow acceleration at 7.3 seconds to 60 is a fault of its somewhat underpowered V6 engine, and its towing capacity struggles as well.

4 Wimpy: Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade could certainly be worse, but it could also be a lot better.

This tiny compact SUV starts at around $19,000, one of the cheapest on this list. That gets you a 4-cylinder engine, Jeep looks, and FWD standard (AWD is optional).

While this SUV may have off-road capability, it is nowhere near that of the bigger and more powerful Wrangler. Although Car and Driver says that it is deserving of the Jeep badge, it’s not a true off-road beast. Instead, it’s a sluggish commuter that doesn’t inspire much confidence, be that from the driver or from pedestrians.

3 Wimpy: Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is a modern take on an old classic, station wagons. Its… interesting styling is certainly unique, and it’s definitely a love it or hate it look. The Flex comes in an FWD variant, which is not what you want in an SUV. With 15 mpg during city driving, the Flex doesn’t deliver much in the way of fuel economy.

According to Car and Driver, the plastic interior looks cheap and doesn’t make you feel as though you are in that nice of an SUV. The Flex may fit a niche market, but that’s for good reason.

2 Wimpy: Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is probably one of the last options you’d consider if you’re looking for a big and bad SUV, and for good reason. The Outlander’s lazy 4-cylinder engine is not exactly confidence inspiring, which doesn’t make for a great driving experience. The big SUVs on this list have powerful V6’s and V8’s, not 4-cylinders.

According to Motor Trend, the interior lacks the build quality and finish of other competitors, making it easy to look elsewhere. Even the third-row seat is cramped.

More towing power, better interiors, and more curb appeal can easily be found in just about any SUV on this list.

1 Wimpy: Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet

Perhaps the worst of all SUVs is the Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet. A convertible SUV is truly an abomination, and is too much a combination of everything, and doesn’t do any of those things well. As an SUV, the convertible top robs rear seat headroom, visibility, trunk space, and passenger space.

As a convertible, the Murano is big, bulky, and does not deliver a sporty driving experience. Only a limited number exist in the U.S. and that’s for good reason. Literally, any other SUV would be a better choice. Even the Mitsubishi Outlander is better than this. That’s something you don’t hear too often… or at all.

Sources: Car and Driver, Motor Trend