The SUV craze is one that has dominated the automotive industry for the better part of 20 years. The desire from customers has not been lost, and it looks like a trend that will continue for many years to come.
With a number of brands jumping on the bandwagon for the first time, competition has become fiercer than ever across a range of segments. It comes as no surprise that SUVs are currently the most money-making cars for manufacturers, so they almost always have to have a few in their model range – especially BMW.
Here are ten of the best SUVs on sale right now.
10/10 Range Rover
No list would be complete without SUVs that do anything and everything with an absolute breeze. The The Range Rover has been on sale for over 50 years and has always been the definitive choice for anyone looking to buy a luxury SUV. It combines delicious luxury with proper off-road capability.
Most SUVs are made for show, but the Range Rover is one of the few that can stick two fingers up and go anywhere. The new version is offered in diesel and hybrid powertrains as well as a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V8. Whether grilled deep underwater or parked outside a 5-star hotel, the Range Rover will always be at home.
9/10 Volvo XC90
The XC90 has been Volvo’s sensible, practical answer to the SUV segment and has never failed to impress families who demand 7 seats, but won’t give up to a minivan. With a plush cabin, endlessly practical and frugal performance from its hybrid powertrainsThe XC90 is the dream option for any father who doesn’t just want to provide for his family but also want to look cool while doing it.
The XC90 is one of the most compelling cars on sale, and here it is what you need to know before you buy one.
8/10 Porsche Cayenne
The The Cayenne saved Porsche when it was introduced back in the early 2000s. It lifted them out of financial trouble and in the modern era, Approx 70% of all Porsche sales generated from SUV products. The Cayenne therefore deserves your respect because not only was it a lifesaver for a brand you know and love, but it’s also a great alternative when it comes to sports SUVs.
It’s just as fast, as it is potent around corners. While not necessarily a useful feature for an SUV, it will make you feel more confident as a driver when the roads get bumpy – especially on the annual Swiss ski holiday. The kind of place you’d expect a Cayenne owner to be.
7/10 Mercedes G-Wagon
Originally designed for military use, the “Gelendewagon” was Mercedes’ answer to Land Rover. But unlike the British take on an all-terrain vehicle, The G-Wagon was also designed to be as sophisticated as it is capable.
But today, the G-Wagon embraces a new personality. It’s usually run by people who tend to show off in city centers rather than on the green lanes, but the fact that it’s available with a AMG 4.0 liter V8 with almost 600 hp is quite special.
The G-Wagon was available in different bodies, including the monstrous 6×6 in the latest generation, although it is not officially available anymore.
6/10 Toyota Land Cruiser
For decades, the Land Cruiser has been one of the most sought after cars on the market. And for a very good and explanatory reason. They never break! The Land Cruiser forever made its mark in the SUV world for its tremendous reliability and durability record.
Whether it was the off-road oriented car, or the luxury one, a Land Cruiser could always be found at the far ends of the earth doing jobs that other cars simply dreamed of.
The current models continue that legacy to this day, and if you want a little more exclusivity, a GR version is also available.
5/10 Jaguar F-Pace
Many brands have tried to adapt their characteristics to a high-riding SUV, each with varying degrees of success. When Jaguar came along with the F-Pace, Ian Callum insisted it’s still unmistakably a Jaguar.
Although it was managed by the same people who run Land Rover, it is not actually based on one. Instead, the F-Pace sits on a custom platform from the XE saloon. While this may hinder its off-road capabilities, it certainly doesn’t hinder it as a road car.
With athletic handling and a wide range of engines, including a 5.0 liter supercharged V8 in the SVRThe F-Pace puts the sport back into the SUV and has a stylish design to match it.
4/10 Land Rover Defender
The new Defender shape was met with controversy when it was first revealed. To such an extent, that Ineos responded by making a more faithful homage to the old one, called Grenadier. But whether you’re a Defender purist or not, the car still epitomizes what Land Rover does best.
The Defender’s off-road capabilities are unmatched. It is equipped with all of Land Rover’s smart technology that makes it impossibly easy to go further into the sticks.
Although the demand for them is strong and the adaptation possibilities are high, The pure function of the Defender remains a pristine, unapologetic off-roader.
3/10 Ford Bronco
The Bronco marked a spectacular comeback for one of them America’s most beloved off-road SUVs. It brought back a lot of memories for American customers who will have remembered the original generations when they were younger.
The new car uses either one inline-4 or V6 Ecoboost engineand in addition to the massive ground clearance, you can remove all the doors for the maximum Bronco experience.
Ford needed to be careful when bringing back a historic nameplate, and they did so with the Bronco more than successfully. It’s a faithful and brilliant comeback for a car that many fans wanted to return.
2/10 BMW X5
When the original The X5 was introduced in the late 1990sit was a step away from the BMW norm as it was one of the few SUVs introduced by brands that had never produced them before.
But in today’s modern era, the X5 is a class act and perhaps the best all-round choice of a family SUV available. With the latest in i-drive technology, superb powertrains and German reliability, the X5 is a model that shows what BMW does best: make the best performing car in the segment and let the sales do the talking.
The X5, along with the 3 and 5 series, has been one of the most successful BMWs ever produced. And when analyzing how good it is, it’s not hard to see why.
1/10 Bentley Bentayga
Another controversial one at launch was Bentley’s take on the SUV segment. Called the Bentayga, it was powered from the start by a huge 6.0 liter W12 with over 600 hp. Being based on the same platform as the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, it was naturally available with a V8 and V6 hybrid later on, and today it still stands as Bentley’s most popular model – and for good reason.
Designed to be more upmarket than the long-established Range Rover, the Bentayga is hugely powerful, hugely fast and delightfully luxurious with a host of options and special editions. It may go against traditional convention for the marque, but the car’s plush aura and massive performance make it unmistakably a Bentley.
Hats off to the engineers. Because they did a remarkable job on the Bentayga, and here is everything else you need to know about it.
Sources: Jaguar / Land Rover Media, Mercedes Benz Global Media, Porsche Newsroom, Bentley Newsroom, Ford Media, Toyota Media, BMW Group Press, Volvo Media
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