Audi Q8 e-tron
Keep a close eye on the Q8 e-tron because we suspect this will be what SUVs will be emulating in a handful of years. The all-electric utility vehicle is the capable all-rounder most SUV shoppers are looking for, the EV stuff is just a matter of fact. It’s still a premium luxury vehicle so it’s up there in terms of price.
Bentley Bentayga
When Bentley first took its brand of luxury off the beaten path, we sort of scoffed but after experiencing it for the first time, it clicked. Few things feel more decadent than taking luxury with you into the wilderness, and the Bentayga can manage just about whatever you throw at. Throw in some performance capabilities and it’s a contender for the ultimate luxury SUV.
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BMW X7
Here we go, the classic schoolyard battle: Mercedes vs BMW. Though if you’re arguing about their full-size SUVs, you likely work at the school now. The X7 edges out the GLS on our list ever so slightly because it can be more engaging to drive, and its UI is slightly more bearable. Though on that point, BMW have been following Merc down that highly colorful and distracting rabbit hole.
Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade is everything. Luxury, convenience, opulence and utility. Outside of really roughing it, the Escalade’s a hard SUV to top when it comes to covering all the bases. This highfalutin limo is best ridden in the rear but it’s surprisingly easy to drive, too. Tony Soprano would be proud.
Ford Bronco
Rugged, beefy and capable all in a boxy, nostalgic package, the modern Bronco is an SUV that’s easy to fall in love with. Whatever your disposition is, there’s a flavor of Bronco for you. Want something plucky and retro? You got it. Want a Raptor-ized monster for off-road adventures? No problem. Jeep’s Wrangler may be the benchmark for true overlanding utility, but the Bronco is no slouch either, and brings along the charm.
Land Rover Defender 130
The classic Defender is legendary for a multitude of reasons which gives the current iteration a lot to live up to. For now, the plucky SUV has plenty of charm and style to hold its own. Its biggest version, the 130, is all that plus a massive donk for additional haulage. Imagine going on safari in a school bus, and you’ve pretty much nailed the experience.
Lexus GX/Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Though it performed dutifully for an astonishingly long time, the GX was overdue for a substantial overhaul, which it finally received this year. Just about an improvement in every metric, the latest GX looks like it’s making up for the delay with a sharp, rugged-looking modern exterior and a clean cabin that’ll hopefully make our Lexus UI nightmares a distant, traumatic memory.
Porsche Cayenne
Boy did we all laugh when we first saw the Cayenne and oh how Porsche laughed right back with its boatloads of cash. Utility and luxury while retaining all the driving capabilities that makes a Porsche worthy of the name, the Cayenne put hotcakes to shame with its sales. It changed the way every performance automaker does business and it’s still the sports SUV to beat. Hot stuff.
Rolls Royce Cullinan
Picture this: You’re in the desert, not a soul in sight and suddenly, over the dunes, a Rolls Royce appears. You’d dismiss such ridiculousness as a mirage. And let’s be clear, the Cullinan is ridiculous, from its gluttonous overall opulence to its appearance as a jumped-up Phantom. If that’s not annoying enough, it’s actually a highly capable off-roading machine in the right hands.
Volvo XC90
Sick of the same old luxury SUV options? Oh, to have your problems. Still, for those with this burden to bear, the XC90 has been the disruptor of choice. Its clean and elegant approach to everyday opulence is refreshing and it does so without skimping on the creature comforts. All the tech you’d ever need is included, plus it’s super safe. It’s a bit lacking on the performance side but chucking that aspect to focus on the rest absolutely works here.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
