Luxury SUVs offer drivers an ideal combination of practicality, comfort and performance, which is why they continue to be a popular choice amongst drivers. With so many manufacturers offering premium SUV models, it’s valuable to know which brands are worth considering, especially with it being such a big investment.
Whether you’re looking for something refined and comfortable for the family or wanting something that prioritises power and performance, there are plenty of options you can choose from. If you’re considering upgrading to a luxury, high-end SUV, these are some of the brands that you should have a place on your shortlist.
Land Rover
Land Rover, specifically the Range Rover line-up, offers drivers the ultimate combination of true off-roading ability with total comfort. It’s one of the few truly luxury brands that boasts genuine all-terrain performance whilst you can enjoy it all in the truly comfortable driver’s seat. This ability is all thanks to its four-wheel steering, making difficult terrain for any other luxury SUV seem like a walk in the park.
Available from a range of Jaguar Land Rover specialists, this brand is not only notable for its off-road performance but is synonymous with big car luxury. Made of high-end materials, has an enormous amount of cabin space and a big reputation for a comfortable ride because of its air-suspension that makes you feel like you’re gliding over any bumps; it’s easy to see why it’s been the top choice for the rich and famous for the last decade.
BMW
For drivers seeking more performance and handling rather than solely how luxurious the vehicle feels, BMW’s offering might be better suited. BMW has always had more of a focus on performance when compared to other high-end brands, with their M performance models offering higher-powered options, but that does not take away from how good quality their different SUV models feel.
The interior quality of all their SUVs still utilises high-quality materials. Their X7 model is particularly luxurious, with large sweeping digital screens, comfortable customisable seats made with luxury fabrics and has an enormous amount of space that can easily fit 7. It’s an incredibly refined car that, even though performance is at the forefront, still heavily prioritises comfort and passenger enjoyment. Some do have some questions over the outside styling, but that is very much down to individual taste.
Porsche
People choose SUVs because they offer more practicality than sportscars of the same value – it’s a compromise people wish they didn’t have to make. Porsche offers buyers that sports-car feel and brings it into their SUVs They purposely design their SUVs to feel considerably more agile than what their size would otherwise indicate, making the driving experience much more enjoyable.
Both the Cayenne and the more compact Macan have that Porsche sports-car DNA. The steering is assertive, the body doesn’t feel like it wants to roll, and they truly feel like any other Porsche. The Macan is smaller, more sporty, being more agile and nimble than its larger counterpart, the Cayenne, so you can get super close to that sports car-like feel. The Cayenne still performs better than you’d think with its sheer size but, by being larger and more powerful, it does a better job fulfilling its role as an SUV with good towing and off-road capabilities.
Rolls-Royce
Yes, you read that correctly; even Rolls-Royce, a company synonymous with the word luxury, has an SUV offering. As you could expect from such a well-esteemed brand, the Cullinan sits right at the top of the luxury SUV market. The level of detail, bespoke interiors and quality craftsmanship is still at the same level you would expect of any other Rolls-Royce.
Pure comfort, that’s what you’re getting with the Cullinan. Rolls-Royce puts most of its emphasis on providing a serene, peaceful and effortless driving experience. With no plastics in sight, you can expect the usual array of woods, leathers and chrome adorning the whole cabin, making it feel more like a palace rather than a car. It can do all the usual SUV things you’d expect; with its powerful V12 engine and its enormous size, it can tow well – and with its “everywhere” mode can go off-roading in different terrains, but let’s be real, it’s not what it’s truly designed for.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes has plenty to offer when it comes to luxury SUVs From more compact city-going options to ultra-luxurious kitted-out flagships and high-performance off-roaders, there’s something for every driver. The core flagships are the GLS, the largest model; the GLE, mid-sized to balance practicality and performance; and the iconic G-Class, also known as the G-wagon, the ultimate luxury off-roader.
In every Mercedes model, you can expect large amounts of sophisticated, high-tech interiors and devices to help assist drivers at every turn. If you’re truly looking at the most luxurious SUVs, then you’ll most likely be interested in the G-Class. People love it for its iconic retro design and beautifully designed interiors whilst being still incredibly capable off-roading too. For being such a large vehicle, it’s surprisingly relaxing to drive thanks to how quiet it is and all the assistive tech that makes it much easier to navigate around in.
Genesis
You can still get all the luxurious details you’d want from a high-end brand at a lower price point, and if you’re not set on getting an SUV from an established brand but still want that luxury experience, then a Genesis might be a great option. Genesis’s whole premise is to give customers the same traditionally luxurious features without carrying the same hefty price tag as more established brands like BMW or Mercedes. As the luxury arm of car giant Hyundai, Genesis shares its stellar reliability reputation, with mainly mechanical parts being shared between the two companies, ensuring drivers they’re getting a solid car with proven dependability.
Materials inside the cabin are of a quality you’d expect in much more expensive competitors, yet you get it at a much lower cost and offer really high levels of technology and driver assists. A massive selling point is they offer a concierge service so when your car needs servicing they will take it away from you and bring it back to your door afterwards – a service you will not see in more established rivals. The only downside is that Genesis still doesn’t have a large footing in the UK market, but that may change over time as more people become aware of them as a brand.
Choosing the right luxury SUV will ultimately come down to what you value most. Whether that is performance, off-road ability, practicality, or even getting the most bang for your buck. Compare each brand’s impressive offerings and narrow down your search based on your own priorities to find the right luxury SUV brand that fits all your needs.
