The luxury SUV war has been raging for quite some time, and we're still seeing new first-time SUV models from different exotic carmakers hitting the market.
For a long time, the luxury sports SUV market was dominated by a few, such as Range Rover, a manufacturer that had honed the art of combining luxury, performance, and off-road prowess. Then came Jeep with Grand Cherokees followed by Ford Explorers. Porsche and Mercedes then dipped their toes in the modern sports SUV waters. It’s at this point traditional sports car companies realized luxury SUVs can be big sales boosters and the floodgates opened. Luxury SUV production has become a staple for almost all automakers, every major player has at least a single luxury SUV model in their car line-ups. More keep joining in, Ferrari is planning to launch their first SUV, the Ferrari Purosangue. Luxury EV makers haven't been left behind, the Jaguar I-pace and Tesla Model X are some of the exciting electric luxury SUVs that have already made their mark.
Talk of posh interiors made of over-the-top materials, practicality, power, and sports car performance all combined in a single vehicle; these are features that can only be found in the modern luxury sports SUV. These opulently-styled high-riding vehicles also bring 4x4 capability, a feature that comes clutch when going off-roading or camping. It's exactly what buyers with expensive car tastes miss in luxury sedans and limos. But which are the best luxury sports SUVs - those with stylish designs and advanced technologies - in 2021?
Below, we reveal the best luxury sports SUVs in 2021 that brand-new luxury vehicle buyers should consider if money is no object.
10 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Starts At $330,000
Want to spend your entire fortune on a car? The 2021 Rolls-Royce is the epitome of expensive luxury SUVs. Not popular for producing SUVs, Rolls-Royce ultimately bowed to public pressure when they came out with the Cullinan. It packs any luxurious feature one would think of. Need a headliner with a fiber-optic star map? Rolls-Royce have you covered.
Other outstanding luxurious features include champagne holders at the back seats and a leather interior. The Cullinan’s cabin can be custom-fitted to the owner’s liking, including the outfit color, making it one of the most expensive cars. With a top speed of 155mph, the Cullinan accelerates to 60mph in 4.8 seconds – made possible by its win-turbo 6.7-liter V12 engine that provides 563hp.
9 Lamborghini Urus: Starts At $218,009
Despite the Lamborghini Urus being the first super SUV from Lamborghini, it shouldn't be forgotten this historic brand had tried once and created a military SUV that looked more of a truck than an SUV. The Urus amalgamates Lamborghini’s extreme driving experience with its advanced technology, performance, and luxury. Its flamboyance is unmatched in its category.
With a reminiscent styling, the Urus has blazing power in addition to modern tech features. It’s propelled by a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 making it sprint from 0-60mph in a mere 3.6 seconds – quite impressive for such a big vehicle. Top speed? 190mph, the best so far for an SUV.
8 2021 Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography: Starts At $131,000
Range Rover enthusiasts have been demanding a bigger and better SUV and the company bosses pulled out one of the best luxury SUVs in 2021, the no-holds-barred Range Rover SVAutobiography. Depending on the engine variation, the SV-A costs $50,000 or more, than the Range Rover Autobiography.
The SV-A comes either as Standard or LWB (Long Wheel Base) with the latter offering more legroom in the rear seats plus luxurious features such as a refrigerated compartment and massage function. The SVAutobiography Dynamic and the SVAutobiography Long Wheelbase are the best units produced by Land Rover and are powered by a 557hp supercharged V8 engine. Word is that the SVAutobiography LWB is so spacious you can turn it into a mobile office.
7 2021 Porsche Cayenne: Starts At $67,500
Yes, Porsche produces sporty SUVs, it was actually the first luxury carmaker to give SUVs a try in the early 2000s when it was cash-strapped. The Cayenne GTS is a bigger brother of the Porsche Macan GTS. It comes in a choice of two, long-roof or “coupe” body style. Powering the Cayenne GTS is a 4.0-liter V8 engine churning out a massive 453hp. What stands out in this unit is its agile suspension that only a few competitors can come close.
The tech that comes baked in the Cayenne’s price tag is pretty impressive. Throw in the GTS top-notch infotainment features and you have one of the best sporty-looking luxury SUVs in 2021. The infotainment system includes a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 4 USB-C ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless Apple CarPlay for juicing up.
6 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: Starts At $160,500
The Maybach GLS600 is another six-figure priced luxury SUV with a limo-esque look. It battles with the likes of Bentley Bentayaga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Unlike its little brother, Mercedes-AMG GLS63, the Maybach GLS600 comes with two sitting rows instead of three. The third row is sacrificed to accommodate extra luxurious features such as a wine fridge, fold-out entertainment tables, and jewelry holders.
Standard features of the Mercedes-Maybach include a semi-autonomous mode, leather upholstery, and beautiful interior and exterior trimmings. Powering the Mercedes Maybach GLS600 is a twin-turbo V8 pushing 558hp to its drivetrain. This engine plus a 48-volt hybrid system motivates the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. Not fast enough? Mercedes-AMG GLS63 leaps to 60mph in a stunning 3.6 seconds.
5 Maserati Levante Trofeo: Starts At $149,990
Besides efficiency, performance and comfort; looks also matter when buying a luxury SUV. All cars in this list look good, but the Trofeo is truly a great piece of art – it’s an SUV with an unmatched aggressive sporty look. It features a striking font styling and a prominent grille present in Maserati’s finest cars. Throw in those rounded haunches, quad exhaust pipes, triple vents, and you get a gorgeously styled vehicle.
It’s not just the looks when it comes to the Trofeo, Maserati states it is the Fastest Levante with a top speed of 188 mph; it accelerates from 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds. The Trofeo gets its juice from a 3.8-liter bi-turbo V8 engine churning out 572bhp and 538lb-ft torque.
4 Bentley Bentayga 2021: Starts At $177,000
The 2021 Bentley Bentayga got freshened up with updated wheel designs, a more upright grille, and new taillights. Styling of the Bentayga takes cues from the Bentley’s Flying Spur sedan worth more than $200,000 and the all-new Continental GT Coupe. With the Bentayga SUV, all models come with a 10.9-inch infotainment display as a standard feature, in addition to Android Auto integration and Apple CarPlay.
The Bentayga comes with various powertrains – 443hp hybrid powertrain on the lower end connected to a 3.0-liter V6 engine plus an electric motor, and the twin-turbo V8 engine generating 542hp. The latter does the 60mph run in just 3.8 seconds. With a top speed of 190mph, Bentley claims that the Bentayga is one of the fastest SUVs in 2021 (though the Lamborghini Urus may dispute this claim).
3 Lincoln Navigator: Starts At $76,705
A rebadged Ford Expedition? No, take a closer look. The Lincoln Navigator is a unique three-row luxury SUV from Ford. The Navigator can accommodate up to 8 people, and they’ll all ride in expansive comfort. Lincoln also offers an option to custom order your Navigator where one can choose a custom color, accessories, and any other custom features.
Under the hood of the Navigator is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450hp and 510lb-ft of torque. For a smooth driving experience, the Navigator comes with an adaptive suspension, 5 standard driving modes and distinct selectable modes (Conserve, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Normal) in addition to a sixth - Slow Climb - drive mode.
2 Aston Martin DBX: Starts At $176,900
Other big players have been in the SUV game for quite a long time. That’s not the case with Aston Martin. The 2021 DBX is the first SUV in Aston Martin’s 100-plus years of history. A brand popular for featuring in James Bond movies now looks to capitalize in the raging crossover market.
Not everyone needs a full-size SUV with three-row seating, that's where models like the Aston Martin DBX come in. When it comes to luxury, it seems to be ahead of the chasing pack since it comes with plenty of cool features and a top-notch interior. Capability? It has 6 adaptive driving modes (4 on-road and 2 off-road). Powering the DBX is a twin-turbo 4-liter V8 engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG producing 542hp and 516lb-ft of torque. Even though it is an AWD SUV much of the power is pushed to the rear wheels.
1 The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace: Starts At $49,995
Jaguar made its German rivals go back to the drawing board when they came up with a 4x4 that combined pace and performance. The F-Pace SVR ticks all boxes for someone who wants a car for carrying kids to school, office commuting, and run weekend errands. Unlike other SUVs, the F-Pace doesn’t have that gigantic feel, thanks to its agile suspension.
Under the hood of the Jaguar F-Pace is a growling 5.0-liter supercharged V8 generating a massive 550hp and 516lb-ft of torque, making it sprint to 60mph in a scant 4.1 seconds. The 2021 F-Pace SVR is fitted with an 11.4-inch touchscreen and 11 speaker audio system amongst other tech features.