The SUV has almost completely taken over the automotive world and any automaker which doesn’t produce a big, lumbering, family-orientated vehicle is in for a difficult time. There are still some smaller manufacturers such as Morgan and Caterham which stick to their original ideals, but in a world where Lotus is almost launching their first SUV, it is only a matter of time before they are forced to conform.
The SUV was originally designed to be a more practical alternative to the wagon, offering a heightened ride to easily traverse rough ground and explore the great outdoors. The SUV gained popularity in the 1990s and steamed ahead in the 2000s, leading to many companies either replacing their models with SUV versions or discontinuing the sedan or hatchback altogether. Mitsubishi even changed one of its most popular sports cars into a crossover! Carmakers then went ahead and started making faster versions of the SUVs, resulting in a whole horde of powerful vehicles which even infected the Prancing Horse.
One of the most ridiculous of the fast SUVs is the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, featuring the monster engine from the Challenger Hellcat. The 5,700 lb seven-seater completes the 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds, making the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat one of the quickest and fastest SUVs out there. It is also a bargain compared to anything with nearly the same performance. While it is great, there are some other super SUVs to consider instead.
10 Jaguar F-Pace SVR
The Jaguar F-Pace was the brand’s first SUV and was built on the same platform as the XE, XF, and Range Rover Velar. The F-Pace got the same engines as most other Jaguar-Land Rover products, including a few 4- and 6-cylinder diesels and 4- and 6-cylinder gasoline engines.
The top-spec is the F-Pace SVR – a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 model with 542 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The F-Pace SVR is one of the coolest of the current super SUVs, mostly because of the insane exhaust sound.
9 Lamborghini Urus
The Lamborghini Urus holds the record for being the second SUV Lamborghini ever made – just behind the LM002 of the 1980s. It is based on the same platform as the Bentley Bentayga, VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and the Audi Q7 and Q8.
Like many of those, the Urus is fitted with the fantastic 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The Urus produces 640 hp and sends all the rampaging bulls to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic. The Urus Performante was announced in 2022 and will feature more aggressive styling and performance.
8 Aston Martin DBX
The Aston Martin DBX is the British brand’s first SUV and so far, one of the best in the business. The regular DBX is fitted with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 borrowed from Mercedes-AMG and produces 540 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.
To make the model more interesting, Aston Martin created the DBX707 – a 697 hp and 664 lb-ft monster which is now among the quickest and fastest SUVs on the planet – not to mention gorgeous. Unlike the normal DBX, the 707 features launch control.
7 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is a popular vehicle among the likes of actors, singers, and sports stars. Mercedes introduced an almost entirely new G-Wagon in 2018 after the previous version was in production since 1979.
The new G63 AMG features the standard 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from other AMGs but produces 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The G-Wagon is still capable of the off-road stuff – even in AMG trim – and rivals the Range Rover.
6 Cadillac Escalade-V
The Cadillac Escalade-V is the first high-performance version of the Escalade made from the factory, and will unfortunately be the last gasoline-powered one. The Escalade-V features the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 as the CT5-V Blackwing, but completely ignores the ‘Blackwing’ badging system.
The Escalade-V produces an incredible 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. This is still less than the Dodge Durango Hellcat, but the Caddy is more luxurious in every way. The Escalade is the go-to American luxury SUV and thanks to the current styling, it is more eye-catching than ever.
5 BMW X7 M60i
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The BMW X7 is the larger, seven-seat equivalent to the already brilliant X5, but with some more opulence. The X7 is designed to be the 7-Series of the SUV world – much like the Mercedes GLS is supposed to be the S-Class.
The X7 doesn’t have a full M-version, but the new X7 M60i gets mighty close. It is the first vehicle to feature BMW M’s new S68 V8, a version 2.0 of the S63. It is still a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 but will replace the non-M V8 engine in the line-up. The M60i produces 530 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
4 Range Rover P530
The Range Rover is one of the most popular vehicles on the planet. In the past, it was designed as a go-anywhere, capable 4x4 which also happens to be quite luxurious. Today, this is switched around as the modern version is luxurious first before capability is considered.
The Range Rover can still do the rough stuff, but it is now on par with the Bentley Bentayga in fanciness, and rather used in cities than in the countryside. The P530 model produces 530 hp from a borrowed BMW 4.4-liter V8.
3 Ferrari Purosangue
The Ferrari Purosangue hasn’t quite been tested yet, but it will – no doubt – be the best sounding of the super SUVs currently on the market. Unlike Lamborghini which uses a twin-turbo V8 in their super SUV, Ferrari decided to do things right, so they fit the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 in their vehicle.
The Purosangue uses the same weird all-wheel-drive system as the FF and GTC4Lusso did, meaning two gearboxes and the front wheels disconnecting above 5th gear. The Purosangue will reportedly produce 715 hp and could well be in the running for the fastest production SUV ever made.
2 Bentley Bentayga Speed
The Bentley Bentayga Speed is the fastest and more powerful version of the now legendary SUV. While the styling may be a bit on the weird side – especially so after the update – the big Bentley is a fantastic luxury car.
The Speed is fitted with the same 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 as the normal W12 model, but produces 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful Bentleys ever.
1 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is probably the best of the super SUVs currently on sale. It packs a punch more powerful than the Lamborghini Urus and BMW X6M but does so in a more subtle style. The Turbo GT, while noticeable, will blend into the background behind a Urus.
The Turbo GT is basically the Turbo S e-Hybrid, but without the hybrid parts. It produces just 631 hp – most likely underrated – but accelerates to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. This makes it the fastest accelerating SUV this side of the Tesla Model X Plaid.