Ranked: The US's most powerful performance SUVs

The SUV’s appeal seemingly knows no bounds.

Auto-makers who have never dabbled in anything that vaguely resembles an off-roader are forced to plunge into the segment headfirst to remain competitive.

The market is flooded with virtually every type of SUV. There are basic models with mountain goat-like rock-crawling ability like the Suzuki Jimny, palaces on wheels fit for a sultan like the Mercedes-Maybach G650 and dozens of varieties in between. Several SUVs fit the bill if it’s performance you’re after. Here are the models that emphasize the ‘sport’ in sport utility vehicle - and even Lamborghini has just joined the party...

Mazda CX-5 – 187hp

Responsive steering and a buttoned-down chassis make the Mazda CX-5 the driver’s choice in its segment. Engineers clearly injected some of the chromosomes that make the MX-5 great into this Honda CR-V-fighting SUV. It remains a mainstream model that needs to appeal to a wide selection of buyers so it’s not a powerhouse, but its superb driving dynamics are nicely complemented by a handsome design and an upmarket interior. It’s a well-rounded package for US$24,095.

Mini John Cooper Works Countryman – 228hp

With the John Cooper Works Countryman, Mini aims to demonstrate good things come in relatively small packages. Its 228hp rating makes it one of the least powerful cars on our list but it was born with the genes that make the Mini hatchback a hoot to drive. The so-called ‘big Mini’ accelerates like a Volkswagen GTI, but our road testers noted it might not be worth the hefty price premium over the Countryman S. Mini asks US$37,800 for the John Cooper Works versus US$31,200 for the S.

Subaru Forester 2.0XT – 250hp

It’s not a WRX STI by any means, but the 2.0XT variant of the Subaru Forester packs a 250hp punch from a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine. It’s one of the quickest models in its competitive set, and all-wheel drive helps it deliver sharp, precise handling. It’s proof you don’t need a thirsty V8 or a rock star paycheck to have fun behind the wheel of an SUV. It’s generous equipped at US$29,495.

Porsche Macan – 252hp

Think of the Porsche Macan as a 718 Cayman with four seats, four doors and the engine in the front. Although undeniably a mainstream model, it earns the right to wear the Porsche crest by delivering power, sports car-like handling and refinement. This blend comes at the expense of practicality, though if that’s your number one priority there is a Chrysler minivan with your name written on it.

The base, 252hp Macan starts at $47,800. It’s the most affordable path towards Porsche ownership. No surprise, then, that it’s well on its way to become the company’s all-time best seller. It regularly outsells the 718 Cayman/Boxster duo, the 911 and the Panamera – combined.

Audi SQ5 – 354hp

Audi’s dapper SQ5 puts an equal emphasis on style and performance. Conceived as a sportier evolution of the Q5, it receives a 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine which channels its stout 354hp output to all four wheels through a Quattro all-wheel drive system. Autocar’s road testers praised its spacious cabin and its precise handling but noted it’s not as exciting to drive as some of its rivals when the pace picks up.

A quick glance at the SQ5’s window sticker is enough to boost its appeal. It starts at $54,300, which makes it nearly $15,000 less expensive than a Porsche Macan GTS with a comparable amount of power.

Porsche Macan GTS – 355hp

Billed as the Porsche Macan for driving enthusiasts, the GTS neatly occupies the space between the S and Turbo models in terms of performance and price. The 355hp V6 makes the GTS impressive on paper, but it stands out even more on a winding road thanks to a well-balanced chassis and rear-biased power distribution - it’s one of the most entertaining SUVs out there.

Jaguar F-Pace S – 380hp

The quickest F-Pace Jaguar currently offers is the S, which posts a 5.1-second 0-60mph time. It handles more like a sedan than an SUV, which was Jaguar’s intent all along, and the firm has plans to pelt it deeper yet into sports car territory. The F-Pace is in line to receive a 5.0-liter V8 transplant that will bestow 570hp upon it. We expect to see the model break cover in the coming months. In the meantime, the F-Pace S can be yours for US$59,775.

Land Rover Range Rover Velar S V6 – 380hp

The taut Range Rover Velar is Land Rover’s most road-focused model to date, and it’s also the line-up’s handling champ. The concept car-inspired sheet metal hides an aluminum architecture and a 380hp supercharged V6 both shared with the Jaguar F-Pace.

Style comes at a premium. Land Rover’s Velar S V6 commands $64,200, nearly $4500 more than its F-Pace sister vehicle with the same engine.

Cadillac Escalade – 420hp

The minibus-sized, truck-derived Cadillac Escalade doesn’t seem like a serious contender for the high-performance label, but hear us out. Its 6.2-liter V8 allows it to take off from a standing start and reach 60 mph just six seconds later, a figure that comfortably places it in Volkswagen GTI territory. Just don’t try to hit an apex with it. At US$73,395 it’s one of the most expensive members of the Cadillac line-up.

Maserati Levante S – 424hp

After the Porsche of SUVs, the BMW of SUVs and the AMG of SUVs comes the Maserati of SUVs. Entering the segment is a no-brainer for a small Italian firm whose top executives set lofty sales goals. There’s no V8 available yet so the top-spec engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developed with input from former sister company Ferrari to deliver 424hp. You’ll need to wait a few more years if it’s the Ferrari badge, not the engine, that you’re after. It will cost considerably more than the Levante S, which starts at US$85,250.

Dodge Durango SRT – 475hp

The specifications sheet is spectacular: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, 475hp, a 0-60mph time of 4.4sec and available Pirelli P Zero tires. It sounds like a muscle car until you get to the part that lists seating for seven passengers, 84.5 cubic feet of trunk space and an 8,700lb towing capacity. With the Durango SRT, Dodge unleashed a drag racer for the entire family. Its US$64,090 price tag places it on luxury car soil, an ambitious move on Dodge’s part.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – 505hp

The Stelvio isn’t Alfa Romeo’s first off-roader. That honor goes to the Matta, a Jeep-aping vehicle designed at the request of the Italian government. However, it’s the first Alfa-badged SUV built around performance, not off-pavement shenanigans. The Rubicon Trail be damned; it’s not by chance that the Stelvio is named after a mountain pass, not a peak, in the Alps. The Quadrifoglio variant receives the same Ferrari-calibrated 2.9-liter V6 as the Giulia of the same name. It’s a model the Germans can’t afford to ignore, especially if it’s priced competitively.

Alfa Romeo hasn’t released pricing yet, however, but our guess is around US$77,000 - not bad for a car that we recently judged is "perhaps the most rewarding performance SUV you can buy."

Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S 4Matic+ – 510hp

Mercedes-Benz never stuffed a V8 engine into the GLK, at least not for public consumption. The demand wasn’t there. Times change, markets evolve and it’s now a lot easier to make a sound business case for such a model, as we now see in the GLK's successor model, the GLC. The GLC63 S Coupe shares its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with the C63 S. If you’re routinely late taking your kids to school, a people-mover with over 500hp might solve your problem. Look for a pricing announcement in the coming months.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo – 550hp

15 years ago, who would have thought we’d see not one but two different Porsche models in a group like this? Porsche surprised the entire industry by introducing the original Cayenne in 2002 and it has perfected the recipe over the course of three generations. The brand-new third-generation model remains the SUV that drives most like a sports car, especially in Turbo guise. You’ll need to spend at least US$124,600 to put a Cayenne Turbo in your garage.

BMW X5 M – 567hp

There’s no unwritten rule that claims BMW’s ‘ultimate driving machine’ tagline only applies to passenger cars. The auto-maker jumped into the SUV segment before its rivals so it has had plenty of time to ensure the X5 credibly lists ‘road-hugging’ on its resume. As its name implies, the X5 M is to the standard X5 what the M5 is to the 5 Series. It benefits from a 567hp V8 plus comprehensive braking, steering and chassis upgrades that elevate its handling to world-class status. The long list of tweaks helps justify its US$100,700 price tag.

BMW X6 M – 567hp

The BMW X6 M is identical to the X5 M on paper, but it turns up the crazy with a sleek, fastback-like body that product planners in Munich insist on calling a coupe. Once a unique proposition on the market, the X6 has spawned a growing panoply of competitors in Germany and abroad. Several more rivals will arrive in the coming years. The swoopy design commands US$104,100.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR – 575hp

Should a Range Rover be capable of keeping up with a Porsche 911 down a drag strip? The answer is a resounding yes. Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport SVR is another puzzling concoction that somehow works very, very well and we gave this vehicle a full five stars on our in-depth road test. It receives a supercharged 575hp evolution of the 5.0-liter V8 that’s ubiquitous across the Jaguar and Land Rover line-ups. Its air suspension delivers a flat and firm ride, especially with the Dynamic setting engaged. US$113,600 puts you in the driver’s seat.

Mercedes-AMG GLS63 – 577hp

Unlike many other 63-badged members of the Mercedes-AMG family, the GLS has resisted the inclination to downsize and retained its twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. The 577hp eight moves the 5900lb GLS with surprising ease, if not grace. It’s the biggest Mercedes money can buy so don’t expect it to take a corner like a Lotus Evora. It’s a lot of car for the money, even at US$125,300.

Bentley Bentayga – 600hp

Performance is one of the Bentley Bentayga’s numerous facets. It’s big, bulky and so lavish we’re surprised it doesn’t offer a sauna, but it makes up for its weight with a 600hp W12 engine fed by a pair of turbochargers and backed up by an eight-speed gearbox. Push the throttle pedal down to the floor and the Bentayga defies the laws of physics with a growl that could only come from a 12-cylinder.

As if that weren’t impressive enough, we hear Bentley is developing an even quicker model worthy of the coveted Speed nameplate. The investment is understandable; the Bentayga has been a huge hit for Bentley in spite of its US$230,000 base price.

Tesla Model X P100D – 603hp

The Tesla Model X’s nerve center is a massive, 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack stuffed under the passenger compartment. The two motors draw electricity from the pack to zap the four wheels with 603hp and 713lb ft of torque, which translates to a 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds. With Ludicrous Mode engaged, the X silently keeps up with impossibly fast machines like the Lamborghini Aventador S, the Ferrari F12tdf and the Porsche 911 Turbo S. Set aside US$140,000 for your very own Model X.

Mercedes-AMG G65 – 621hp

The Mercedes-AMG G65 breaks all the rules of aerodynamics. Highly resistant to change since 1979, the squared-off body hides a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that places 621hp under the driver’s right foot. The current G-Class is not long for this world, but an all-new model is right around the corner. AMG’s alchemists are already looking at ways to ratchet up its performance quotient. At US$220,400, the G65 is one of the most expensive SUVs on the market.

Lamborghini Urus – 650hp

Introduced recently, the Urus inaugurates Lamborghini’s first-ever turbocharged engine. The unit in question is a 4.0-liter V8 rated at 650hp in its most basic state of tune. Lamborghini designed the Urus to effortlessly plough through mud, sand, snow or gravel, but R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani told us it also exhibits supercar-like prowess on the track.

In platform terms, the Urus is a sister vehicle to the Audi SQ7, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne. Its love-it-or-hate-it styling channels styling cues from Lamborghini’s past and current models, including the mighty Aventador S and the LM 002 from 1986. It required a huge investment, but it’s expected to double the size of Lamborghini’s footprint in just a few short years. Pricing starts in the vicinity of $200,000.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk – 707hp

Chrysler product planners must have received a memo that reads “Hellcat everything!” After powering the Dodge Challenger and Charger, the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 re-located to the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s engine bay. Its 707hp output remains un-changed but it’s hooked up to an all-wheel drive system for the first time. The Trackhawk performs the benchmark 0-60mph sprint in 3.5 seconds. That’s impressive for any car, let alone one that tips the scale at about 5300lb. Pricing starts at US$85,900.