There are many reasons why premium 4x4s are popular – image, safety, comfort, practicality and visibility are just some of the compelling reasons to join one of the fastest growing sectors of the market.
Whether it’s a midsize SUV or a compact crossover, a premium badge can add a huge amount of appeal. Here are the top luxury SUVs that are currently taking the market by storm.
10. Mercedes-Benz GLS
With prices starting at over £71,000, the GLS isn’t cheap, but the seven-seat Mercedes is, nevertheless, one of the most luxurious and well-appointed SUVs on the market. It comes with adaptive all-terrain suspension and a 9-speed automatic gearbox, along with DYNAMIC SELECT, which offers five pre-programmed driving modes.
9. Bentley Bentayga
It’s easy to dismiss the Bentayga as a kitsch SUV for footballers’ wives, but to do so is to overlook the exquisite engineering behind the British bruiser. Among its more unusual features are a diamond quilted slide-out event seat above the rear bumper, while it is also the world’s fastest SUV – 600bhp from its 6.0-litre W12 engine, 0-60mh in 4.1 secs and a top speed of 187mph.
8. Volvo XC90
The XC 90 is a car that helped Volvo to redefine itself, ushering in a new design language for the Swedish brand, along with a whole host of new technological features and alternative drivetrains, including a plug-in model. But the XC90’s real appeal lies in its presence. While the previous XC 90 was always slightly anonymous, the current generation is a real standout SUV.
7. Range Rover
No top 10 list of luxury SUVs will be complete without the Range Rover, which in full-size form remains the absolute epitome of premium off-roader ownership. Indeed, in many ways the Range Rover is the top luxury SUV, and the one that others aspire to be. You’ll need at least £80k to get behind the wheel of the entry-level model, while the range-topping SV Autobiography is an eye-watering £141,580.
6. Maserati Levante
Famous for its sports cars and luxury four-door sporting saloons, Maserati branched out into the SUV market in 2017. The Levante is unique, distinctive and has quite a bit of flair, while its on-road composure certainly befits the brand’s sporting heritage. However, the Levante is actually built at Fiat’s factory in Turin, whereas other Maseratis are hand-finished in Modena. Not that it really matters…
5. Audi Q7
It’s been around a while now, but the Q7 still remains a difficult car to beat, while the latest generation is stacked with incredible tech, including Night Vision Assist, which uses thermal imaging cameras to detect animals lurking alongside the road, and a class-leading array of driver assistance systems. It retains its value strongly, too.
4. BMW X5
The X5 is, and always has been, the driver’s SUV. It remains a fine car to drive, while the cabin is also one of the best in the business, with high quality plastics, soft-grain leather and an intuitive yet comprehensive infotainment system. M Sport models have a more dynamic suspension set-up and beefier steering, but you’ll need at least £52,000 to get behind the wheel.
3. Porsche Macan
Porsche claims that the Macan is a ‘Sports car that is practical but never ordinary’ – a nice idea, but in reality it’s a five-seater SUV with impeccable performance and dynamics. And that means it’s well worthy of wearing the Porsche badge regardless. It’s reasonable value, too, with the range kicking off at less than £46,000 for the entry level model. The Macan Turbo, the real performance model, is a good £17,000 more expensive, though.
2. Jaguar F-PACE
It’s not particularly large, but the F-PACE is comfortable, spacious and elegant. More than that, though, it drives as you’d expect a Jaguar to, with exceptional ride quality and impressive performance, too. It’s handsome, great to drive, has a prestige image and is available from only £34,000, meaning it’s a luxury SUV on offer at a non-premium price
1.Range Rover Velar
Bigger than the Evoque and smaller than the Sport, the Velar is the fourth model to join the Range Rover line-up, and takes its name from the badge applied to the original Range Rover development vehicles back in 1969. With class-leading tech and prices from less than £45,000, it’s already in huge demand and we can’t see the waiting list getting any shorter any time soon. It’s the best luxury SUV of the moment.