SUV models have been very popular in Britain for decades and that’s thanks in part to their distinct and muscular appearance.
The attraction of SUV styling is evident with the fairly recent wave of crossover family cars, which are designed mainly for driving on-road. But a true, traditional SUV offers four-wheel drive and is very capable off-road.
The best 4x4 SUVs are not just good for tackling the rough stuff, they can also be comfortable when driven on-the-road. They also offer a comfortable cabin, lots of practicality and a long list of gadgets, which make the driving experience easier and more luxurious.
Here we reveal our choice of the top five best 4x4 SUVs available to buy new right now.
Range Rover
Think the words SUV or 4x4 and one of the first examples to spring to mind will most likely be the Range Rover. That’s testament to how iconic it has become since the name first arrived over 40 years ago. The Range Rover’s popular status feels well earned, especially with the latest-generation model.
While not exactly cheap, the Range Rover gives you so much car for your money. It is pretty much a jack of all trades and a master of each one too.
The styling of both the exterior and interior feels very classy and the cabin is a delight to sit in. You get a huge amount of standard kit even with the standard trim.
For a car of its size, it’s remarkable just how composed and refined it feels on the road. What’s most impressive about this car, however, is how it truly excels at conquering off-road terrain which other 4x4s could so easily struggle against.
Adaptive damping and air-suspension are just a couple of features that help with on and off-road driving duties. Then there’s the Terrain Response 2 system, which in ‘Auto’ mode can work out what traction is available and adjusts power distribution and the suspension for maximum drive. Its impressive wading depth can hardly be matched outside of the Land Rover product range.
BMW X5
The X5 is proof that BMW is very capable of making an off-road vehicle worthy of rivalling other premium brands.
The exterior styling has always been somewhat an acquired taste, but the luxurious interior offers a very pleasant environment for all passengers.
Available in five or seven-seater forms, the X5’s seating and boot offers plentiful space. The standard kit list is lengthy, featuring heated seats, cruise control and parking sensors.
On the road, the X5 feels very composed and fun to drive, which is no small feat for a big car that weighs around two tonnes.
There's a diverse selection of engines, as well as the choice of either front-wheel or four-wheel drive powertrains. Features such as Adaptive Dynamic suspension and torque vectoring do much to help against loose grip.
Porsche Cayenne
The styling of the Cayenne has always been divisive, but if you can overlook that then what you’re faced with is a very well made SUV that's excellent to drive both on and off the road.
Porsche has a long and proud history of making high quality sports cars and this knowledge and experience is evidently carried over to the Cayenne's on-road dynamcis. Despite its tall and heavy build, the Cayenne is very agile. There’s loads of grip and body roll is kept well in check, especially when air suspension is onboard.
The most impressive thing of all about the Cayenne is just how adept it is tackling the rough stuff. This car features hill-descent control and locking differentials and the optional air suspension can alter the Cayenne’s ride height. Without this kind of suspension the Cayenne does lose some grit, but there’s still lots of reasons to consider it if you're after a premium 4x4.
Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq is one of the cheaper large SUVs which occupies the new car market nowadays, but there are plenty of reasons to like it besides it being able to suit relatively more modest budgets.
Available in five and seven-seater configurations, the Skoda Kodiaq has interesting and convenient design choices for both the exterior and especially the interior. Making the most of Skoda's "Simply Clever" approach, practicality solutions shine through and the car is very comfortable and spacious especially for front and middle passengers.
Also impressive about the Kodiaq is its handling, the strength of performance from the engines (especially the more potent diesel and petrol options) and the ride comfort which helps to make the Skoda feel adept for all sorts of tasks whether it be the school run or long motorway travel. For the price range it's remarkable how well the Kodiaq manages to balance comfort, style and quality without compromising much on any of these areas - a task many other SUVs have struggled with in the past.
Nissan X-Trail
The first two-generations of the X-Trail were noted for their boxy and utilitarian design, which made it look tough, but limited its appeal. The latest model is more curvaceous and therefore more appealing to look at.
Happily, this new and more modern styling, heavily influenced by the smaller Nissan Qashqai crossover, does not mean the X-Trail’s off-road skills have been sacrificed.
Some SUVs do have less body roll and feel more engaging on the asphalt, but the driving dynamics of the X-Trail are overall decent.
The Nissan is available with adaptive four-wheel drive, though this out of the reach of the standard trim or automatic versions. While 4WD has little impact on handling, it is effective at dealing with poor weather and most off-road terrain.
While it’s not quite as luxurious as some other SUVs in this list, the X-Trail feels capable and it’s priced much lower than alternatives offered by premium brands. Four-wheel drive versions should fit the bill for drivers that want to explore landscapes and for that reason, the X-Trail represents a good choice for those browsing the new 4x4 market with a smaller budget.