[2021 Edition] Luxury & Performance SUVs

Thanks to its reimagined interior, the 2021 Stelvio now has a lot more to bring to the table. With that part of the picture now being in line with most of its competition, Alfa Romeo’s top-selling model can finally be about more than just how great it drives (which it of course continues to do).

While interior updates aren’t normally making news headlines, they can and do make a huge difference. Alfa Romeo have raised the standard on its luxury and technology components; you can see, feel, and experience them. Nice updates.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is an SUV built for people who care about the driving experience, and for that we are grateful for. In a world that is making the transition to producing more practical and/or electrically powered automobiles, this raw, extreme and somewhat oxymoron of a vehicle, is a welcome notion for sports car lovers. It is the most exciting car in Alfa Romeo makes.

It also destroyed the Nurburgring SUV record with a 7:51.7 lap time. That just about tells you everything you need to know about this astonishing performance SUV. Also benefiting from the overall interior remake for the model, the Quadrifoglio remains our favorite SUV on sale today; it makes the big, heavy and powerful BMW M SUVs look like crap. Masterpiece by Alfa Romeo.

Built on brand-new architecture, the DBX is designed to carry occupants in true Aston Martin style. Brimming with the latest technology to keep you safe, the DBX is comfortable, sumptuously luxurious, and will thrill you from the moment you sit behind the wheel.

Thanks to lightweight aluminum construction, and its world-leading Aston Martin powertrain and suspension developed by the finest engineers of their kind, the DBX drives like no other SUV. It drives like a sports car.

Production of the DBX began halfway through 2020, making 2021 the first complete model year for the car. There have been no changes to any of the offerings going into the new year.

The 2021 Audi e-tron might not be able to boast the range capabilities of a Tesla, nor the overall performance of a Porsche Taycan. However, it’s comfortable, fashionable, and has all the right gear to help make the transition from gas to electric, a desirably non-eventful endeavor.

It even has a 4,000 lbs towing capacity, which no other passenger EV can match right now. This makes it a very important player in the lead up to Audi’s all-out-electrification strategy.

Later in the production run, there is certainly the potential for an RS variant to make its way into the lineup.

The Audi RS Q8 is the fastest version of the Q8. It’s also the fastest dang SUV around the Nordschleife too. Not bad for an SUV you can ferry the kids to-and-from school in.

The model gets a high-performance 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine. That engine is no joke. It punches out 592 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. That’s quite a lot of power for just about anything out there, nevermind something that seats 5 adults comfortably.

The Bentayga V8 is one of our favorite SUVs right now. It has the kind of refinement you expect from Bentley with very strong performance too.

The new cutting-edge V8 engine delivers almost 550 hp and acceleration is instant and continues to pull like a train. Handling is great too, with the Bentayga V8 more agile than you would ever expect.

The Bentayga W12 is unlike any other sport utility vehicle in the world. This powerful, all-terrain, all-purpose car offers an exceptional driving experience.

As well as having the most technically advanced engine in its category, it has Mulliner Driving Specification fitted as standard and a choice of more paint colors than any other SUV.

This is the top-dog Bentayga. Bentley says it is the fastest SUV in the world. All we know is that the sprint from standstill to 60 mph is over in an insane (for SUV) 3.8 seconds and the Speed W12 goes on to a top speed of 190 mph.

It isn’t just about straight line because this SUV handles better than you would ever expect from a car of this size and weight.

The new Bentayga Diesel is the first diesel in the marque’s history.

The world’s most refined 8-cylinder diesel engine, it has been developed to deliver world-class Bentley performance with the extended range of a diesel engine. Combines practicality, power and luxury with innovative technology.

The Bentayga Hybrid is Bentley’s first step on a journey towards an electric future, embracing forward-thinking technology to enhance modern living.

It delivers all the impressive performance and exquisite craftsmanship you would expect from a Bentley. World’s first ultra-luxury hybrid.

Updates for 2021: Mechanically unchanged, with some new standard features and options, such as Android Auto and a matte wood interior trim.

For those who lean more towards agility than cargo space, the 2021 BMW X3 M checks off a lot of boxes. It comes equipped with a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, which features two turbochargers.

Available with a standard 473 horsepower and a more powerful Competition version, BMW’s latest M SUV is capable, fun and attractively priced for buyers looking for a small, convenient and powerful performance SUV.

The sloped-roof counterpart to the X3 M, the X4 M is identical in every other way. It gets the same 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, and electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential as the X3 M (and the M5, which is cool).

While the BMW X3 M40i might be enough for most families, the X4 M is a better performance machine which will keep the enthusiasts happy.

Updates for 2021: Mechanically unchanged, with some new standard features such as Android Auto. Previously optional items such as roof rails, night vision, and rear-seat entertainment have been eliminated, however.

More practical than the M5 sedan, the 2021 BMW X5 M is a beast that can easily handle any family-oriented duties you can throw at it. Ignore anyone that tells you these are “track capable” performance SUVs - even in the optional Competition trim - because nobody spending this kind of money is taking it to a track.

What they are however, is serious performance, packaged in an SUV body that has coupe-like agility. Epic.

Like the X5 M, the 2021 X6 M is available in both regular and Competition trims, and is mechanically identical to its sibling. Both the non-Competition models make 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.

When in Competition trim, the SUVs crank out 617 horsepower and the same 553 lb-ft torque. Sound familiar? That’s because they’re equipped with the same engine used in the M5 Competition. Even more epic.

Updates for 2021: Like the base model, the SVR is the beneficiary of an exterior facelift with revised styling queues. Some updates and tweaks to the interior as well, with a new glass touchscreen and redesigned instrument cluster amongst the new offerings. Torque has also improved slightly over last year’s version, by 14 lb-ft of torque.

Touted by many in the press as a BMW X3 M and Porsche Macan Turbo rival, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR is the marque’s answer for the performance-oriented crossover segment – one which particularly continues to become more competitive and crowded every year.

For 2021, the SVR boasts the latest iteration of its powerful 5.0L supercharged V8, and benefits from upgraded standard equipment such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Updates for 2021: The 2021 Jaguar I-Pace now offers the fast, intuitive, Pivi infotainment system and quicker charging capability. Continued improvements to the electric drive-train have also seen improvements in the range department.

The I-Pace is a very impressive EV on paper. Touted as the first true alternative to the Tesla Model X, Jaguar looks to unseat its competition showcasing a unique combination of technical prowess and driving engagement.

Remarkably nimble and planted in corners, the I-Pace is fun to drive while still offering the very best in EV range and performance. New for 2021, the I-Pace has received improvements to its battery pack and regenerative braking system which can improve range by up to 8 percent.

This “Jeep” has a supercharged 707 hp engine which provides 645 lb-ft of torque to boot – what is there not to love? It features the same V8 unit used in the Dodge Hellcat Challengers and Chargers, and does well in transforming the Grand Cherokee from a docile grocery getter to an absolute monster.

While you might be just as happy opting for the Cherokee SRT, we say go all the way and order the Trailhawk. It is a good looking, rugged SUV, has comfortable seats and a nice enough cabin. With a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, the Trailhawk is America’s emphatic answer to the European dominated, high-performance SUV segment.

The first modern Lamborghini SUV and one hell of an SUV at that. The Urus looks aggressive and we think it has just the right level of Lambo styling cues, without going overboard. The Urus is powered by a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 that is good for 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.

Performance is astonishing for the big SUV, with the 0-60 mph trek over in a mere 3.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 190 mph.

The Urus drives better than any other SUV and is definitely the performance pick in that segment. On the inside the Urus has decent luggage space and a generous helping of electronics and infotainment equipment.

It isn’t just that the Range Rover SV Autobiography has a supercharged 557 hp engine and sports car characteristics; it’s that it does it all with a sense of effortlessness and composure, owed in part to its 516 lb-ft of torque, standard all-wheel drive, and eight-speed automatic transmission.

This is a vehicle that weighs almost three tons, yet can reach a top speed of 140 mph. Despite 22” wheels and low-profile tires, the ride is smooth and comfortable. Vintage Land Rover character, modern day tech, and a big grin from ear to ear is what the SVAutobiography will provide you at the end of the day.

The entry-level trim level of the Levante is just that; we recommend spending a little extra by ignoring the base 2021 Maserati Levante, instead opting for the Levante S.

The performance is a bit lacking in the base car, while the S addresses this to a large degree and also gets much more standard equipment.

The Levante exudes its classy Maserati character to the world of mid-size luxury SUVs. With a distinctive design and thoroughbred twin-turbocharged engine power, the Levante S is well-priced and competitive at this level.

The sweet spot for buyers who aren’t interested in maximum performance, but also don’t want to feel like they are getting just the barebones.

Now we’re entering the 500 hp club, and the high-performance luxury segment. Competition in this bracket starts to look a lot different, with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 also jockeying for position.

The Levante GTS offers a fine balance of exceptional performance and uncompromised luxury; with a 550 hp V8 engine and lavish appointments respectively contributing to the cause.

The Trofeo is the fastest Levante you can get and duly takes its place at the top of the chain. It shares the same engine as the GTS, but uprated another 30 hp for good measure. Its chassis is the most advanced too, providing the best driving dynamics on offer in the range. For example, it has a Corsa drive mode - just like in the Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo.

With its Ferrari 488 GTB DNA, and the very finest in Maserati appointments, the Levante Trofeo is what you should opt for if you want an Italian super-SUV.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 infuses its benchmark SUV with AMG magic. Its 385 hp biturbo V6, quick-shifting 9-speed, 4MATIC all-wheel drive and air suspension team up to provide excellent driving dynamics.

The bold new looks and fresh tech are even more captivating. Front and rear parking sensors come standard for 2021.

Is the GLC 43 Coupe a powerful, luxurious and innovative SUV with a uniquely seductive and unapologetically sporty silhouette? Or is it a 385 hp, all-wheel-drive, air-suspended sport coupe with a spacious cabin and cargo area?

The answer is an enthusiastic “all of the above”.

The rigid and astronomically high standards of AMG are amalgamated with the more flexible and utilitarian demeanor of the GLC platform. The result is an SUV with a handcrafted 469 hp biturbo V8, AMG all-wheel drive and air suspension.

Along with a bold new style, it’s both aesthetically and athletically gifted. Front and rear parking sensors come standard for 2021.

If you desire that quintessential sports car feeling from your SUV, then the freshly toned muscle of a GLC 63 Coupe with the heartbeat of a biturbo V8 may be impossible to resist.

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ as standard, will delight the senses that much more.

When more is not enough, and only the best will suffice, the GLC 63 S Coupe is here to please. Its athletic body and standard 20-inch wheels are but a preview for what’s under the skin - a handcrafted 503 hp biturbo V8 mated to AMG Performance 4MATIC+ are there to deliver the goods.

It’s the most powerful GLC in the lineup, and it has the looks and tech to back it up.

The GLE is back with a bang for 2021, and the AMG GLE 53 SUV and Coupe are the latest to spark that arrival. Now benefiting from Mercedes’ EQ Boost hybrid electric system, performance is greater and more responsive than ever.

This transforms the unassuming but surefooted GLE into a driver’s SUV. With a total of 429 hp produced from the hybrid drivetrain, a quick-shifting 9-speed transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+, the GLE 43 SUV also looks bolder than thanks to standard AMG 20” wheels and more aggressive styling cues.

The GLE is back with a bang for 2021, and the AMG GLE 53 SUV and Coupe are the latest to spark that arrival. Now benefiting from Mercedes’ EQ Boost hybrid electric system, performance is greater and more responsive than ever.

This transforms the unassuming but surefooted GLE into a driver’s SUV. With a total of 429 hp produced from the hybrid drivetrain, a quick-shifting 9-speed transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+, the GLE 43 SUV also looks bolder than thanks to standard AMG 20” wheels and more aggressive styling cues.

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 SUV and Coupe may cost around $10,000 more than last year’s models, but the price is justified by how much improvement has been made.

After being augmented with EQ Boost, the familiar 4.0L biturbo V8 now produces a whopping 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque for the 2021 models. This is a significant boost over the previous year’s equivalents, which produced 550 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

There is no longer a ‘non-S’ trim for the GLE 63 this year, with the GLE 63 Coupe S taking its place alongside the GLE 63 S SUV as the only GLE 63 offerings. Both models continue to be appointed with the highest levels of luxury from the brand.

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 SUV and Coupe may cost around $10,000 more than last year’s models, but the price is justified by how much improvement has been made.

After being augmented with EQ Boost, the familiar 4.0L biturbo V8 now produces a whopping 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque for the 2021 models. This is a significant boost over the previous year’s equivalents, which produced 550 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

There is no longer a ‘non-S’ trim for the GLE 63 this year, with the GLE 63 Coupe S taking its place alongside the GLE 63 S SUV as the only GLE 63 offerings. Both models continue to be appointed with the highest levels of luxury from the brand.

The G Wagon remains unchanged from last year in just about every way, including its base price. This can only be a good thing, because the AMG G 63 also remains the same legend of an SUV that it has always been.

Thanks to its insane acceleration, industry leading off-road capabilities and timeless styling cues, the Mercedes-Benz G63 has become the ultimate expression of wealth and utilitarianism in one package, making it the quintessential fan-favorite in this segment.

Perhaps an EQ Boosted version is in the works?

Although the entry-level doesn’t boast anything outstanding on paper, it is one of those vehicles that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

It brings more than enough to the table when it comes to serving its primary purpose as an errand-runner, and is still capable of delighting the senses when in more harried situations.

The Macan S is the first step within the model range towards a disassociation with grocery-getting. Mind you, the S will do that as well as the base model, but performance is the major differentiator here.

Instead of uprating the base car’s engine like many might expect, the S cuts to the chase by replacing the 2.0L inline-4 with a 3.0L turbocharged V6 which produces an extra 100 ponies.

We speak a lot about “sweet spot” cars when compiling these lists, and we’re going to revisit that again with the Macan GTS. It’s a bit more muscular than the S below it, and quite a bit more athletic too.

Air springs with adaptive dampers come standard on the GTS, augmented by its Sport and Sport Plus modes. It slots in nicely between the S and Turbo, and gives off those “driver’s car” vibes; as the GTS models tend to do.

Like the S is to the base model, the Turbo’s key differentiator is power. It opts for the 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 as seen in Panamera 4S, which produces 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.

It’s the most expensive of the bunch too, but it does don the Turbo badge in a justifiable sense, making it worthy to be top of the range.

Although the entry-level doesn’t boast anything outstanding on paper, it is one of those vehicles that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

It brings more than enough to the table when it comes to serving its primary purpose as an errand-runner, and is still capable of delighting the senses when in more harried situations.

The Cayenne Coupé further exclamates the Porsche DNA running through its veins.

The Coupé emulates the iconic flyline of the Porsche 911, which flows consistently from the headlights to a seamless taillight strip, forming the undeniable silhouette of a true sports car.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid combines the 335 hp petrol engine used in the base model, with an E-Hybrid electric motor which adds up to 134 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is the entry-level E-Hybrid model in the lineup.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé further exclamates the Porsche DNA running through its veins.

The Coupé emulates the iconic flyline of the Porsche 911, which flows consistently from the headlights to a seamless taillight strip, forming the undeniable silhouette of a true sports car.

The Cayenne S makes the switch to the 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 used in Panamera 4S and Macan Turbo, which produces 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.

It's a significant upgrade over the base model, with the twin-turbocharged setup offering superior power and responsiveness.

The Cayenne S Coupé further exclamates the Porsche DNA running through its veins.

The Coupé emulates the iconic flyline of the Porsche 911, which flows consistently from the headlights to a seamless taillight strip, forming the undeniable silhouette of a true sports car.

The Cayenne GTS is a returnee to the roster for 2021, and comes equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine which produces 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.

Like other GTS variants, it is nicely positioned within the lineup as an enthusiast-based model, which tends to appeal very much to us. It’s blistering quick for a large SUV, and offers a first taste of the V8 power within the range.

The Cayenne Coupé further exclamates the Porsche DNA running through its veins.

The Coupé emulates the iconic flyline of the Porsche 911, which flows consistently from the headlights to a seamless taillight strip, forming the undeniable silhouette of a true sports car.

The might of the Turbo moniker is on full display with the Cayenne Turbo, proving to be a powerful combination of top-of-the-line sports car performance and luxurious grand touring refinement.

The 541 hp twin-turbocharged V8 helps get the Turbo from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.

The Cayenne Turbo Coupé further exclamates the Porsche DNA running through its veins.

The Coupé emulates the iconic flyline of the Porsche 911, which flows consistently from the headlights to a seamless taillight strip, forming the undeniable silhouette of a true sports car.

The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is at the top of the food chain when it comes to the range, and is the only model to feature a hybridized version of the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8.

On its own, the petrol engine produces 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque, with the E-Hybrid electric motor adding up to 134 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupé further exclamates the Porsche DNA running through its veins.

The Coupé emulates the iconic flyline of the Porsche 911, which flows consistently from the headlights to a seamless taillight strip, forming the undeniable silhouette of a true sports car.

The newest addition to the Rolls-Royce lineup is the automaker’s only SUV. While unapologetically different from anything else on offer, it still stands out as a Rolls-Royce thanks to its distinguishable and familiar rectangular front grill.

Its DNA is not just limited to outward appearances though, as the opulent interior design elements and phenomenal V12 performance that we become familiar with from the brand, live on in this all-terrain automobile.

By harnessing the scientific principles of the electric motor, the Tesla Model X is the fastest production SUVs ever made. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, loads of storage and seating for up to seven adults, checking all the important boxes of the typical SUV customer.

Not so typical is the 778 hp and 841 lb-ft of torque it makes, thanks to a 100 kWh battery which powers all four wheels. Speed junkies will be able to cross-off a few things from their bucket list with the Model X capable of 0-60 mph in just 2.7 s.

This not only easily makes this the fastest SUV, but also one of the fastest production vehicles on the road, period.

The Model Y Long Range is the current entry-level model in the range. It has better all-around practicality than the Model 3, particularly for a family.

Its extra height and room make it a very good option as a family car. As a performance-focused website, you know we would spend the extra money and get the Performance model - an additional $10k getting you a 3.5 second 0-60 mph time and a 155 mph top speed. Range is over 300 miles, which is class leading.

Need a small family crossover/SUV? Pick this.