The Rise of the Super SUV
Car tastes have shifted significantly. Today’s luxury car buyers, including those who were traditionally loyal to high-end sports cars, are increasingly drawn to SUVs. This shift has spurred manufacturers to respond, transforming the luxury SUV segment into a powerhouse of performance and style. Once, a luxury SUV might have conjured images of a plush, spacious vehicle like the Cadillac Escalade. However, the segment is now populated by high-performance manufacturers like Porsche and Ferrari, who have poured their expertise into crafting SUVs that redefine speed and handling.
These luxury SUVs offer a compelling combination of blistering speed and sophisticated handling. Many boast massive engines, including V8s and V12s, enabling some to outpace muscle cars in straight-line acceleration. They also handle their considerable weight with impressive precision on the track, and, dare we admit it, can even look legitimately cool.
Here are ten luxury SUVs that can embarrass a Dodge Charger Scat Pack off the line. Data for this article was primarily sourced from each manufacturer’s website and supplemented with figures from Car and Driver and Kelley Blue Book when necessary. Models are listed in ascending order by their 0 to 60 mph time.
10. 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.6 seconds
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is Alfa Romeo’s compact SUV. It has been around for a few years, with the current model hitting production in 2016. It joined the Giulia as part of Alfa Romeo’s brand revival in America.
2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Specs
- Engine: 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6
- Horsepower: 505 HP
- Torque: 443 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- Top Speed: 176 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $87,870
Regardless of opinions on its reliability or practicality, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is undeniably quick, powered by the same Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter engine found in the Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan. This twin-turbo V6 produces 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. These specifications enable the Stelvio Quadrifoglio to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in an impressive 3.6 seconds, outperforming its sedan counterpart.
9. 2024 BMW XM Label
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.6 seconds
The BMW XM is a full-size luxury plug-in hybrid crossover that holds several distinctions within the BMW lineup. It’s the first BMW developed entirely by the M division since the M1 supercar. Additionally, it is the M division’s first SUV, and the most powerful and expensive vehicle BMW builds.
2025 BMW XM Label Specs
- Engine: 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 PHEV
- Horsepower: 738 HP
- Torque: 738 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- Top Speed: 175 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $185,995
The XM Label is the high-performance version of an already high-performance SUV. Its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 PHEV setup generates 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful production BMW ever built and capable of delivering around 30 miles of EV-only range. This additional power allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 175 MPH with the M Driver’s Package.
8. 2025 Range Rover Sport SV
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.6 seconds
The Range Rover Sport is Land Rover’s midsize luxury SUV, representing a sportier take on the flagship Range Rover. Designed for on-road performance as well as luxury, it retains Land Rover’s expected off-road capabilities. The Range Rover Sport SV represents a customized, top-level, high-performance trim from Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations; the current “Edition Two” has a starting price above $180,000.
2025 Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two Specs
- Engine: 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8
- Horsepower: 626 HP
- Torque: 553 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- Top Speed: 180 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $180,700
The Range Rover Sport SV uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, producing 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. When equipped with its dynamic suspension, the Sport SV can sit nearly one inch lower than other Range Rover Sports. This setup helps the SUV accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.6 seconds.
7. 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.5 seconds
Dodge might not be the first name that comes to mind when considering luxury brands; however, with a starting MSRP north of $110,000 (nearly three times the base Durango model), the Durango SRT Hellcat caters to luxury buyers. The Durango SRT Hellcat is in its third generation, having entered production in late 2010. As a result, it’s one of the few remaining Stellantis vehicles equipped with a Hemi V8. Furthermore, it’s the only 2025 model offering the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8.
2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Specs
- Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged V-8
- Horsepower: 710 HP
- Torque: 645 HP
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 180 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $113,720
The SRT Hellcat delivers 710 HP and 645 LB-FT of torque, allowing the Durango to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. The Durango SRT Hellcat will be offered in Hammerhead, Silver Bullet, and Brass Monkey editions for 2025.
6. 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.4 seconds
The Mercedes GLC is not the first model that comes to mind when thinking about Mercedes’ performance cars, as the compact crossover is designed for the mass market. It often rivals the GLE as Mercedes’ best-selling vehicle in America. However, the little SUV has two AMG versions. This top-tier AMG GLC 63 S E Performance version delivers a staggering amount of plug-in hybrid power, making you forget you are driving a compact crossover.
2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Specs
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbo I4 hybrid
- Horsepower: 671 HP
- Torque: 752 LB-FT
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
- Top Speed: 171 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $86,050
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance produces 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque, which has the power to propel this crossover from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.4 seconds. Amazingly, it is achieved using a 469-HP turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four as its base engine. Despite these impressive numbers, a 2.0-liter four-pot is not a V8, and customer demand could very well lead to a V8 return.
5. 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.4 seconds
The Q8 is Audi’s top-of-the-line midsize luxury SUV, even though the Q7 is slightly longer and offers more cargo space and a third row of seats. The RS Q8 represents the high-performance version of the Q8 crossover, powered by a meaty twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8.
2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance Specs
- Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8
- Horsepower: 631 HP
- Torque: 627 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
- Top Speed: 190 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $136,200
For 2025, the RS Q8 is only offered in the RS Q8 Performance version. Its V8 engine generates 631 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, which propels the luxury SUV from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds. This SUV comes with a starting price of $136,200, which is pricier than Audi’s RS6 Avant Performance. However, at more than $100,000 less than the Lamborghini Urus, one could consider it a bargain.
4. 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.4 seconds
The Lamborghini Urus is a midsize luxury crossover. It’s not the first SUV Lamborghini has produced; the brand built the V12-powered LM002 in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the Urus is Lamborghini’s most important vehicle, accounting for over half of the brand’s sales, which have reached record levels. The SE model has been re-designed as the new face-lifted hybrid.
2025 Lamborghini Urus SE Specs
- Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid
- Horsepower: 789 HP
- Torque: 701 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed-automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
- Top Speed: 193 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $278,795 (Car and Driver)
The hybrid Lamborghini Urus SE is, first and foremost, not designed for efficiency. It combines a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with an electric motor, producing a combined 789 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque. The Urus SE can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.4 seconds. Lamborghini has been reported to possibly be holding back a bit on that acceleration number to avoid embarrassing the Huracan.
3. 2025 Ferrari Purosangue
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.3 seconds
Ferrari didn’t necessarily need to build an SUV. The famed brand from Maranello was experiencing strong sales without one; however, they built the Purosangue. It is very much the Ferrari of SUVs. They nailed the aesthetics, handling, and the choice to forgo a hybrid or electric powertrain in favor of a beastly V12. Ferrari also maintained exclusivity in the price point, starting at a price a bit north of $400,000.
2025 Ferrari Purosangue Specs
- Engine: 6.5-liter V12
- Horsepower: 715 HP
- Torque: 528 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
- Top Speed: 193 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $433,686 (Car and Driver)
The Ferrari Purosangue’s 6.5-liter V12 engine delivers 715 HP and 528 lb-ft of torque. This power allows the Purosangue to go from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 193 MPH.
2. 2025 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.1 seconds
The Porsche Cayenne is the German brand’s larger midsize luxury SUV. It first appeared in 2002 and has become a fixture in the Porsche lineup. It is the second best-selling vehicle in the United States. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is the high-performance model, only offered with a swoopy, SUV coupe-style body, and has a starting MSRP above $200,000 (which does not include adaptive cruise control).
2025 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Specs
- Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8
- Horsepower: 650 HP
- Torque: 626 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 3.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 190 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $203,800
The Cayenne Turbo GT’s V8 engine provides 650 HP and 626 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.1 seconds, according to Porsche, and has a top speed of 190 MPH.
1. 2024 Aston Martin DBX707
- 0 to 60 MPH: 3.1 seconds
The Aston Martin DBX is the brand’s luxury SUV and the very first SUV produced by the company. Since it’s an Aston Martin, a high-performance version was a must-have. Enter the DBX707. The 707 stands for 707 PS, or metric horsepower, which equates to about 697 HP by American imperial measurement.
2025 Aston Martin DBX707 Specs
- Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8
- Horsepower: 697 HP
- Torque: 665 LB-FT
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Drive Layout: All-wheel-drive
- 0-60 MPH: 3.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 193 MPH
- Price (MSRP): $252,086 (KBB)
The DBX uses the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine from the standard model, but tuned to deliver significantly more power. It produces 697 horsepower along with 665 pound-feet of torque. Its top speed is listed at 193 MPH.
