Comfort, Style, Practicality, Power: The Best Luxury SUVs

Consumers are expecting a lot from today’s top-rated SUVs. The best ones are stepping up to the plate en force. The word that defines the segment? More.

The luxury SUV market has matured. Virtually every traditional luxury car manufacturer now has at least one premium SUV in its catalog, and most are offering hybrid and fully electric models alongside them. These electric SUVs promise plenty of speed and refinement in a more environmentally-friendly package.

The center of gravity has shifted, too. Electric power now sits at the heart of the segment’s most ambitious new arrivals, while a wave of Chinese challengers — Nio, BYD’s Yangwang, Jetour, and Rox among them — is reshaping the market from the edges. We cover those newcomers in a dedicated section at the end of this guide.

Ready to buy your next luxury SUV? We’re reviewing the absolute best premium SUVs to help you find the one that’s right for you.

25 Best luxury SUVs

Below our ranking, you’ll also find the Chinese newcomers reshaping the segment, our methodology for selecting and ranking the top luxury SUVs in the world, and answers to our readers’ most frequently asked questions.

1. Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé: Best overall luxury SUV

The first auto house that went all-in on the luxury SUV trend was BMW, cashing in on the premise with the launch of the hugely popular BMW X5. However, the Porsche Cayenne also has a place in luxury SUV history. The overnight success of Porsche’s first SUV completely electrified the luxury SUV market.

That was four iterations of the Cayenne ago. Now, modern drivers can own the luxury SUV that launched the trend – but with innovative upgrades. This version embraces the latest and greatest in the auto industry with a powerful hybrid engine that offers a smooth yet powerful ride. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé can reach a top speed of 183 mph / 295 kph – a blistering pace for a luxury hybrid SUV.

Learn more about the history behind Porsche’s car models.

Price starting from	$83,000
Website	porsche.com

2. Lincoln Nautilus: Best value luxury SUV

Smooth and luxurious, the Lincoln Nautilus is a brilliant example of just what the brand’s historic stylish SUVs could achieve with a few years in the making. This model seriously shows off when it comes to pulling out all of the stats as well as the good looks, with its turbocharged engine, premium interior, and wheels that seem to glide effortlessly on the road.

A value-driven option in the world of luxury SUVs, it comes with plenty of upgradable options if you’re looking to get the most for your money.

Price starting from	$43,695
Website	lincoln.com

3. Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV: Best premium luxury SUV

Maybach hits the mark for exceptional white-glove treatment. And the prestigious brand joins the electric revolution, prominently displaying the Maybach logo as a medal of honor on its electric luxury SUV.

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV’s cabin is a sanctuary of sophistication, with ultra luxurious appointments dripping from every surface. The reclining rear seats are fit for royalty, complete with a beverage chiller and footrests. Two electric motors dish out 649 horsepower and 280 miles (450 km) of range.

Price starting from	$180,000
Website	mbusa.com

4. Lucid Gravity: Best new arrival

Lucid arrived with the Air sedan and a reputation for wringing more miles from every kilowatt-hour than anyone else. The Gravity is that same obsession in SUV form – and it’s the most compelling new luxury SUV to land in some time.

With up to 450 miles of range from the Grand Touring, it quietly resets what an electric SUV can promise between charges. The cabin is airy and architectural, with a wraparound glass canopy, a curved display, and genuine three-row space that most rivals only gesture at.

It’s quick, too: the Grand Touring’s dual motors muster 828 horsepower, enough to make a five-meter SUV feel deceptively light on its feet.

Price starting from	$79,900
Website	lucidmotors.com

5. Cadillac Escalade IQ: Best electric luxury SUV

The Escalade name has meant presence for over two decades. The Cadillac Escalade IQ keeps every inch of that presence and trades the V-8 for a vast battery pack.

The payoff is an estimated 460-plus miles of range and a serene, near-silent glide that suits the Escalade’s lounge-like cabin better than any combustion engine ever could. Standard all-wheel drive sends out 680 horsepower, with a Velocity Mode that summons up to 750 when you ask for it.

A 55-inch pillar-to-pillar display anchors the most ambitious interior Cadillac has ever built, and rear passengers get their own generous screen. It’s proof that an American icon can go electric without losing an ounce of swagger.

Price starting from	$129,795
Website	cadillac.com

6. Mercedes-Benz GLB: Best extra small luxury SUV

The Mercedes-Benz GLB may be on the smaller side – but isn’t missing out on any of the features of its larger counterparts. The GLB has boxy styling, which makes it instantly recognizable as a member of Mercedes-Benz’s line of SUVs. It has room for an optional third row (albeit with extremely efficient space for one) for practicality.

This pint-sized car, the best extra small SUV around, offers a good balance of high-tech features and comfortable additions. Heated seats, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entries, infotainment displays, and blind-spot monitoring: in the GLB, you’ll enjoy a completely updated driving experience.

It’s also got power. A 2.0L engine gives the GLB an acceleration of 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) in 6.9 seconds; this small SUV can also reach a top speed of 130 mph, or 209 kph.

Price starting from	$38,600
Website	mbusa.com

7. BMW X3: Best small luxury SUV

With a little more room to speak of than the GLB, BMW’s X3 is sporty, comfortable – and sustainable. With luxurious additions and impressive performance statistics, this BMW proves that smaller vehicles can be practical and fun, too.

Surprisingly agile, the X3 is a nimble warrior on the roads and comes stuffed to the brim with the brand’s signature tech. Fuel efficiency and ease of use go hand in hand, delivering luxury and practicality simultaneously.

Two digital dashboard displays, as well as a large number of driver-assistance features, ensure the X3 sits at the top of the game when it comes to small SUVs.

Price starting from	$43,700
Website	bmw.com

8. Genesis GV80: Best midsize luxury SUV

The Genesis GV80 looks a little unlike any other SUV on the market and it’s a car that’s truly remarkable. With a full suite of intuitive technology, all-road capability, elevated comfort, and showstopping design, it doesn’t hold back when it comes to impressing.

It’s also a brilliant size, fusing the gap between “large enough to fit a small family” and “small enough to be easy to park.” A model that has surpassed expectations year after year, the Genesis GV80 comes with stylish trim packages and a choice of powertrains.

Price starting from	$50,200
Website	genesis.com

9. Volvo EX90: Best luxury SUV for families

Volvo built its name on keeping families safe, and the EX90 is the fullest expression of that promise yet. It pairs a sophisticated sensor array – lidar included – with the calm, decluttered Scandinavian cabin Volvo does so well, then adds three genuine rows of seating.

New for the platform is an 800-volt architecture that adds up to 155 miles of range in a ten-minute stop, so the school run and the road trip are equally effortless. The interior leans on responsibly sourced materials, in keeping with the brand’s sustainability credentials.

Up to 670 horsepower in Twin Motor Performance trim means this electric flagship never feels ponderous, despite its size.

Price starting from	$78,000
Website	volvocars.com

10. Rivian R1S: Best large luxury SUV

Because we’re focusing on SUVs, we can’t ignore the fast-growing and incredibly promising EV sector of the market. The Rivian R1S earns its place as our pick for the best large luxury SUV, blending genuine off-road ability with premium comfort.

The R1S is featured in our roundup of the best electric cars, but it’s also a powerful SUV option in its own right.

It’s certainly capable: you can select from different battery sizes, and the largest pack lets the R1S travel up to 400 miles without stopping – perfect for exploring without concerns for recharging. It’s quick, too, accelerating from 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) in around 3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 125 mph (just over 200 kph).

Price starting from	$70,000
Website	rivian.com

11. Cadillac Escalade ESV: Best extra large luxury SUV

When space is a priority, the Cadillac Escalade ESV has been the luxury SUV of choice for over two decades. It’s a seamless combination of premium amenities on a platform that can haul all the people and gear your biggest adventures demand.

If you think Cadillac would be complacent about this long-running model, think again. The V-series Cadillac Escalade pushes the monster beyond your imagination. A supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine sits under the hood, producing a whopping 682 horsepower.

This large luxury SUV is available with other engine choices, including a V-8 alternative with over 400 horsepower and a diesel inline-6 for maximum low-end torque. Regardless of the drivetrain, the interior is flooded with premium materials and Cadillac’s most advanced technology.

Price starting from	$84,190
Website	cadillac.com

12. Range Rover Plug-In Hybrid: Best hybrid luxury SUV

The Range Rover received a facelift, with a range of new features that retain the brand’s classic look but add to its drivability and appeal. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection come as standard, as well as other wireless options and a new electronic rear differential.

The Range Rover now offers a plug-in hybrid drivetrain (called PHEV) that delivers a hushed EV driving range of up to 62 miles (100 km), so much of your everyday driving can be done on electric power alone.

This is the luxury SUV for those looking to customize their vehicle with opulent interiors and exteriors as well as classy colors. A masterpiece of a car, it’s the sleekest release yet with high speeds to match.

Price starting from	$104,000
Website	landrover.com

13. Ferrari Purosangue: Fastest luxury SUV

Move over Lamborghini – your archrival is peeling away with the title for the fastest luxury SUV. To the dismay of prancing-horse purists, Ferrari answered market demand and unleashed its first SUV.

This is not your average luxury SUV. It packs in a monstrous V-12 engine and hits a top speed of at least 193 mph (310.6 km/h). The rear-hinged second-row doors open to bucket seats, a nice touch since this car can sing through turns like Mariah Carey hits high notes.

Price starting from	$398,350
Website	ferrari.com

14. Bentley Bentayga: Most stylish luxury SUV

The Bentley front end is one of the most iconic images in the automotive world. It’s the embodiment of starting strong and finishing first, and stands in front of vehicles that epitomize extravagance.

The Bentley Bentayga brings unrivaled craftsmanship to the luxury SUV platform. Owners can carefully select nearly every detail with around 60 exterior color choices, a limitless number of interior details, and a choice of engines including a powerful twin-turbo V-8 and a plug-in hybrid V-6.

Go for the luxurious four-seat configuration for the ultimate rear-seat comfort. Or select the family-friendly seven-seat design to ensure everyone can fit in one incredible car.

When style is the priority, there’s nothing to beat the Bentley Bentayga. The sleek shape is riddled with flamboyant touches sure to turn heads everywhere.

Price starting from	$167,000 (est.)
Website	bentleymotors.com

15. Aston Martin DBX: Best crossover luxury SUV

Crossovers tend to have better comfort, off-road utility, and fuel economy than typical truck-based SUVs. As the best crossover we’ve seen, the Aston Martin DBX brings together the worlds of practicality and luxury to gorgeous effect.

Aston Martin is a century-old luxury British mark within the auto manufacturing world. The DBX is its very first SUV – and one that could signal a new focus for the classic brand. After all, the SUV market is one of the fastest-growing in modern vehicles – it’ll be very exciting to see where the DBX leads Aston Martin in the future.

The premium DBX 707 has a modified version of the Mercedes-AMG V-8 engine with 697 horsepower, allowing it to accelerate from 0-62 mph / 0-100 kph in just 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 mph / 310 kph. Every DBX is stylish, featuring full-grain leather and Alcantara for a truly luxurious feel.

Price starting from	$175,000
Website	astonmartin.com

16. Volvo XC90: Best luxury SUV for road safety

The Volvo XC90 continues to win top-rated safety honors. It’s elegant, it has myriad impressive tech features, and it comes with an attractive mid-size SUV feel.

The Volvo XC90 is made incredibly road-safe with many driver assists, including a semi-autonomous drive mode that allows your SUV to be more aware of your surroundings (and able to take quicker action in an emergency) than you are. However, its safety features aren’t its only selling point. It’s got a luxe interior, the sustainability perks of being a high-functioning hybrid, and the power to back up its name.

The Volvo XC90 can accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) in 4.9 seconds. Its top speed is 140 mph / 225 kph; it can seat seven people; and it’s earned the highest safety ratings in its class.

Discover Volvo’s entire car collection and the history behind the brand.

Price starting from	$86,990
Website	volvocars.com

17. Porsche Macan: Best handling luxury SUV

Driving an SUV can, at times, feel heavy and laborious, especially on small windy roads. That’s when the Porsche Macan shines. It’s got specs to impress, brushed aluminum trim, Alcantara interiors and a high-tech cabin (with features like surround sound, wireless smartphone charging pads, cameras for semi-autonomous driving features, and heated windshields).

If you want a car that feels like it was made for easy, intelligent use, this is the car to buy. The Porsche Macan makes it easy to enjoy your time on wheels, whether you’re driving or riding.

The best-selling Porsche has leveled up. The luxury car brand now offers a fully electric Macan, ready to grab hold of the growing sustainability-focused segment without giving up the sharp handling that made the nameplate famous.

Price starting from	$80,350
Website	porsche.com

18. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Best luxury SUV for off-road

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class really is something special: an off-roader that powers full steam ahead with a seriously impressive line of statistics, now available with an all-electric drivetrain alongside its V-8. A joy of a car that’s just as comfortable off-roading as it is cruising with family in tow, the G-Class is our favorite luxury SUV to take off-road.

A timeless, intelligent body and state-of-the-art panoramic cockpit ensure it drives just as beautifully as it looks.

Price starting from	$131,750
Website	mbusa.com

19. BMW iX: Most high-tech luxury SUV

The BMW iX looks like nothing else the brand makes, and that’s precisely the point – it’s BMW’s rolling showcase for what comes next.

Inside, a curved display, crystal-look controls, and one of the sharpest voice assistants in the segment make the technology feel considered rather than gimmicky. The latest version stretches range further while dropping its starting price, a rare and welcome combination.

Effortlessly quick and uncannily quiet, the iX is the luxury EV for buyers who want the gadgetry to actually work – and to do so wrapped in a genuinely lovely, lounge-like cabin.

Price starting from	$76,325
Website	bmwusa.com

20. Lexus RX Hybrid: Top-selling luxury SUV

The Lexus RX Hybrid continues its reign as the most popular kid on the block, a hybrid vehicle with universal appeal. This endlessly popular SUV is the most advanced RX ever, stuffed to the brim with tech-friendly features and an audio system that rivals six-figure home systems.

Its dynamic, elegant silhouette isn’t just a pretty face: inside this SUV you’ll find an integrated suite of class-leading standard active safety equipment, Apple CarPlay compatibility, and Alexa compatibility. And then there’s that unmistakable floating roofline that we all know and love.

Price starting from	$48,020
Website	lexus.com

21. Lincoln Navigator: Largest cargo space luxury SUV

If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV that can rival the cargo capacity of a full-size truck, we have just the ticket. The Lincoln Navigator not only fills your every sense with comfort, but it also has enough space to put all your gear in the trunk.

The extended wheelbase model is available on the upper trim levels, giving you a palatial feel through and through. The Lincoln Black Label Navigator L is the highest expression of luxury, offering unique premium materials and member services support to serve your every need.

Regardless of your choice, the Navigator includes advanced driver-assistance features, including ActiveGlide hands-free cruise control to transform any lengthy drive into a walk in the park. The experience is complete with ambient lighting, genuine wood trim, and an expansive panoramic roof.

Price starting from	$79,725
Website	lincoln.com

22. Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Best classic revival

Newcomers step aside. The original luxury SUV, first introduced in 1963, has risen from the dead. To shake off the cobwebs, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer lets a powerful twin-turbo V-6 roar away with over 500 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque, and nearly 10,000 lbs of towing capacity.

Make no mistake about it, Jeep means business. While the brand has long been pushing out unparalleled off-road vehicles, Jeep’s return to the full-size SUV segment stacks up to the competition with an interior far beyond anything expected from the automaker.

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer incorporates seven displays and an industry-first Amazon Fire TV integration. The award-winning interior provides one of the best user experiences to hit the luxury SUV segment, all while bringing back a heartfelt punch of nostalgia.

Price starting from	$88,640
Website	jeep.com

23. Land Rover Defender: Best for adventure

For some time, the Land Rover Defender was the choice for adventure, putting capability far ahead of luxury amenities. Things have changed.

Today’s Defender series lets you continue to tackle the world’s more remote trails, but now adds a unibody design for riding comfort along with an interior that can be filled with rich touches.

The Land Rover Defender is available in three different lengths and a dizzying array of trim levels. The available engines include a supercharged 4-cylinder, a hybrid supercharged V-6, and a 518-horsepower supercharged V-8. Every model has four-wheel drive and locking differentials.

If you’re gearing up for a big adventure and want a platform that’s stylish, capable, and comfortable, the Land Rover Defender is the right choice.

Price starting from	$55,100
Website	landroverusa.com

24. Lamborghini Urus: Best super SUV

The ‘S’ in SUV stands for sport, giving modern SUVs the challenge of integrating practical features and adventurous range into one multipurpose vehicle. Lamborghini decided to look to its past to deliver on this modern car: decades ago, the historic brand debuted a made-for-military SUV, the Lamborghini LM002.

Today, with extremely reminiscent styling, the Lamborghini Urus brings a similar spirit with modern tech features and blazing power in the form of one of the fastest luxury SUVs. The Urus has a 4.0L twin-turbo V-8, and is now also offered as the plug-in hybrid Urus SE – combining electric assistance with even more performance.

The massive wheel arches help this car navigate off-road very capably; the interior makes it feel like the high-end car it is. The cabin is full of inlaid wood, Alcantara, full-grain leather, and other gorgeous, luxury options.

Price starting from	$390,000
Website	lamborghini.com

25. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Most expensive luxury SUV

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan persists as our most expensive SUV, year after year. As Rolls-Royce’s entry into the SUV market, it’s certainly one of the most luxurious, comfortable SUVs we’ve ever seen and tested.

The Cullinan boasts soft-close doors, power-adjustable headrests, a power liftgate, completely bespoke wheels, and comes with the opportunity to custom-fit the cabin to the driver’s precise specifications.

It can be outfitted in any color, the trim can be your choice, and no expense has been spared in making passenger comfort out of this world. It deserves a place on our list of the most expensive cars too!

It can drive, too: the Cullinan has a top speed of 155 mph / 249 kph, and it can accelerate from 0-60 mph / 0-100 kph in 4.8 seconds.

Price starting from	$579,996
Website	rolls-roycemotorcars.com

The Chinese contenders reshaping the luxury SUV

No honest look at the luxury SUV landscape is complete without the Chinese marques now setting the pace on technology, range, and sheer ambition. A few of them already rival – and in places outgun – the established names.

A caveat worth stating plainly: most of these brands are not yet sold in the US or UK. They trade across China, parts of Europe, the Middle East, and other regions. We include them here so you know what’s coming, and what to look out for when you travel.

Nio ES8

Nio is the closest thing China has to a homegrown luxury EV establishment, and the ES8 is its flagship – a large, six- or seven-seat electric SUV with a lounge-grade rear cabin. Its signature party trick is battery swapping, which refills the car in minutes at dedicated stations rather than waiting at a charger.

It’s on sale across China and a growing list of European markets, with further expansion underway, though it isn’t yet offered in the US or UK.

Origin	China
Standout model	Nio ES8
Availability	China and select European markets
Website	nio.com

BYD Yangwang U8

Yangwang is BYD’s assault on the ultra-luxury bracket, and the U8 is gloriously over-engineered for it. A quad-motor plug-in hybrid setup drives each wheel independently, letting the imposing SUV turn on the spot like a tank and – BYD claims – wade through deep water for a short stretch.

It costs around the equivalent of $150,000 in China, with a European rollout taking shape. It is not yet available in the US or UK.

Origin	China
Standout model	Yangwang U8
Availability	China, with European rollout underway
Website	byd.com

Jetour T2 and G700

Jetour trades the ultra-luxury ambitions of its rivals for rugged, value-driven appeal, and it has found a devoted audience in the Middle East. The boxy T2 has become one of the region’s best-selling adventure SUVs, while the larger G700 pushes further upmarket with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and off-road party tricks of its own.

The brand sells across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America rather than the US or UK.

Origin	China
Standout models	Jetour T2 and G700
Availability	Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Website	jetourauto.com

Rox 01

Rox Motor is one of China’s youngest luxury names, and the Pininfarina-styled Rox 01 makes a confident first impression. It’s a five-meter, six- or seven-seat SUV that pairs serious off-road hardware with an extended-range electric drivetrain, so there’s no range anxiety on a long trek.

It’s sold in China and a growing list of export markets, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, but is not yet available in the US or UK.

Origin	China
Standout model	Rox 01
Availability	China and select export markets
Website	roxmotor.com

Methodology

We start our list by going through the expected updates and new releases from all the luxury car manufacturers in the world. For each new SUV, we note all the necessary details (price, engines, fuel category, etc.). That takes some time.

When our list is finally completed, it’s time to do in-depth comparisons and reviews. We look at everything, from specifications to claimed speed and optional accessories. Literally everything that a potential buyer would themselves consider before purchasing a luxury SUV. These cars are expensive, so we take into account all the features that are important to you.

The final step involves many hours of conversations internally as our car editors sit down and share their thoughts. This is the most fun part of our review process.

The result is a list that we feel confident covers every option you, as a buyer, would need to consider.

Frequently asked questions