There was a time when the world of SUVs was dominated by V8-powered vehicles that boasted loads of horsepower; enough grunt to tow heavy objects like a boat or weekend trailer without fuss. Today though, the scenario is quite different as carmakers are gradually making the shift to fewer cylinders aided by turbochargers. A notable example is Ford that’s now completely dropped the V8 engine from its SUV lineup.
However, there are still some carmakers out there that rely on the V8 powerplant to get the best performances out of their SUVs, either in terms of speed, towing prowess, or off-road capabilities.
10 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
This was one time, the most powerful production SUV ever and for good measure, one of the fastest too. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in stock form, is able to accelerate to 60 mph in a scant 3.5 seconds and then power on to a 180 mph top speed.
That performance is made possible by a hulking 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that cranks out an impressive 707 hp and 645 pound-feet of torque. It is the same powerplant used in insane muscle cars like the insane Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.
9 Dodge Durango R/T
The base model of the Durango comes with a V6 but the real drama begins with the R/T model trim that’s available with a beefy HEMI V8 powerplant. That engine provides up to 360 hp and 390 pound-feet of torque.
The Durango is a heavy beast with a curb weight in excess of 5,300 pounds and so the extra V8 power comes in really handy indeed. For one, it helps boost the towing capacity of the Durango R/T to 8,700 pounds, about 2,500 pounds more than what the V6 base models can lug.
8 Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban is the longest-running nameplate in automotive history. The SUV was first introduced in the mid-1930s and is now in its twelfth generation with no signs of slowing down. The full-size SUV is built on a truck platform and relies on a V8 engine setup to get the job done.
The base models come with a 5.3-liter V8 that can generate 355hp. That power increases significantly when you opt for the 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out 420hp and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Chevy Suburban is a rugged SUV with an established reputation for reliability; one of the reasons it’s a popular workhorse of the US Government services.
7 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid
This luxury SUV weighs all of 5,623 pounds - that’s a lot especially as far as performance vehicles are concerned. It is also the reason why the Cayenne’s stats are all the more impressive.
It can blast to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and complete the quarter-mile dash in 11.5 seconds at 121 mph. As the name implies, the Porsche Cayenne relies on a 134 hp electric motor but the main punch is provided by a 4.0-liter V8 that puts out a meaty 541hp and 568 pound-feet of torque.
6 Mercedes-AMG GLS63
The German carmaker did not hold back when kitting out this full-size SUV; with niceties such as a 26-speaker sound system and a built-in air fragrance system. It is a full-blown 7-seater luxury yacht-on-wheels but this boat can rocket to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds thanks to the AMG-built engine under the hood.
That engine is a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that spews out 603hp and 627 pound-feet of torque. The GLS63 will not stop accelerating until it maxes out at an electronically-limited top speed of 174 mph.
5 Land Rover Range Rover
Land Rover’s flagship continues to offer a sublime blend of luxury, performance and off-road capability. It may not be at the same level compared to its Mercedes Benz rivals but there’s enough technology packed within that frame for an engaging driving experience.
There’s also a V8 engine option that adds considerable power to the mix as well. The P525 HSE trim is powered by a supercharged V8 engine that generates 518hp and 461 pound-feet of torque. That power is fed to all 4 wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
4 Lexus LX570
The first Lexus LX570 had its debut in 2007 at the New York International Auto Show, as a replacement for the outgoing LX470. It continues to be a flagship offering for the carmaker and comes loaded with tech goodies like the innovative ‘Crawl Control’ system.
The latest models are easily recognizable with what has to be one of the largest grilles ever fitted on an automobile. That grille hides a 5.7-liter V8 engine that is capable of whipping up 383hp at 5,600rpm and 403 pound-feet of torque.
3 Lamborghini Urus
Lamborghini decided to buck the trend with their SUV baby, ditching the traditional naturally aspirated V12 engine in favor of a turbocharged V8. Customers did not seem to mind much though considering the fact that over 10,000 units of the Urus have rolled off the production line so far.
The Urus may lack the drama of a raucous V12 but its performance is certainly top-notch, with a 3.1-second sprint to 60 mph and a power run all the way to the 190 mph mark.
2 Infiniti QX80
In December 2017, Infiniti unveiled the 2018 model year QX80 with a new facelift that made it significantly more appealing than in the days when it was known as the QX56. It retained the 5.6-liter V8 engine though and with the new model, the powerplant now produces 400 hp.
That power, fed to all 4 wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission is enough to get the 3-ton SUV to 60 mph in an impressive 5.9 seconds. It is still slower than some of its competitors but speed is not the QX80’s strength; rather, it relies on qualities such as a comfortable ride and top-in-class interior space.
1 Toyota Landcruiser
The Toyota Landcruiser is one of the world’s most popular SUVs; still going strong after its debut almost 70 years ago. The SUV is known for its durability and off-road prowess; factors that boost its appeal.
The Landcruiser has also stayed true to its tried and tested V8 engine formula. For the 2021 model, the SUV has a 5.7-liter V8 engine that’s hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission. That engine generates 381 hp and 401 pound-feet of torque; enough for the Landcruiser to get the job done without fuss or drama.