Premium Performance: Top 5 Luxury SUVs
Think about the ultimate do-all car and a luxury SUV will likely pop to mind. You might never intend on taking it off-road, but its combination of space, pace and image make it a must have for most everyday garages. 2021 has seen a raft of new models come on the scene, so to navigate the endless choices, these are our favourite five new SUVs on sale now.
Aston Martin DBX
It was only a matter of time before Aston Martin entered the SUV fold. But while it has taken a while to arrive, the DBX has come out swinging with what is just about the best performance SUV on sale right now. It’s not the fastest – its 542bhp power figure is a little behind the class leaders – but it is the best to drive, with a carefully honed chassis developed from scratch.
This is all wrapped up in a distinctive design that could only be an Aston Martin, with its sleek body, open grille and tough stance. The interior is just as luxurious as the brand’s sports cars, wrapped top-to-toe in leather and able to be specified precisely to your tastes thanks to a massive range of colour and trim options.
If you need an SUV, and money is no object, right now the Aston Martin DBX is the one to have.
Audi RSQ8
The Audi RSQ8 is still new to the market, but already the fastest Audi SUV is making quite a statement. Powered by a 592bhp V8 engine, the RSQ8 is more than fast enough for any driver, and with a multitude of high-end tech that stand head and shoulders above rivals like Range Rovers and BMWs, it drives better too.
If big wheels and black trim is your thing, the Audi’s massive 23-inch rims and Darth Vadar face will also appeal, but best of all the RSQ8 is built like a tank, and feels almost indestructible on the road.
Maserati Levante Trofeo
If you want the latest technology or the fastest SUV on sale, the Maserati Levante Trofeo is probably not for you, but if a Ferrari-built engine and Italian styling are more your cup of tea (or espresso in this case), this could be the luxury SUV for you.
Packing 572bhp, the new Trofeo isn’t far off the performance of the fastest in the class, but the V8’s cultured bark more than makes up for it, and crucially is just that little bit different to its mostly German rivals.
Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe
If you’re after the SUV that drives most like a sports car, the Porsche Cayenne GTS is it. It might be in the middle of the Cayenne range power-wise, but it has the best balance of power and tech – allowing you to get the most out of the driving experience and its 452bhp twin-turbo V8 engine.
Stump up a bit extra for one of the ‘Lightweight Sports’ packages and you’ll also get some very smart 22-inch wheels, a sports exhaust with centre-mounted exhaust pipes and, best of all, houndstooth fabric inserts on the interior trim. Harking back to Porsche’s racing cars in the 1950s and 1960s, it makes the GTS Coupe infinitely cooler.
Mercedes G400d
Approach the Mercedes G-Class with extreme caution, as while a matte black AMG G63 S with side-exhausts might elicit a strong reaction to those with certain tastes, go back to basics with the lesser diesel model and you’ll be back into good territory.
There are rules: no black wheels, get rid of the tinted windows, and perhaps opt for a light-coloured interior. Stick to these guidelines and you’ll have about the most sophisticated luxury SUV in the Soho Farmhouse carpark.
