It’s great to have a supercar that can sprint down canyon roads or frolic on the streets. But, let’s face it, not all of us want an impractical two-seater that sits low and can’t carry much more than a bag of groceries. In the real world, where we need to drive on bumpy roads and make the occasional visit to Home Depot, an SUV is a great option.
But SUVs are, as a rule, pretty terrible for performance driving. Terrible, unless you choose one of these new performance SUVs and variants that promise performance that can put most sports cars to shame, with prices to match.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is the fastest Porsche SUV ever
Without the Cayenne SUV, there may not be a modern Porsche. The Cayenne came at the right time, with the right features, and became an instant hit 20 years ago. Since then the Cayenne has gone through a few generations and now there is a new super high performance version, called
Cayenne Turbo GT. When Porsche says this is its fastest SUV, that’s saying something.
The Turbo GT’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 makes 631 horsepower, which is 90 more than the previous model, the Cayenne Turbo Coupe. Porsche says it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, and with its Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control system, that power can be harnessed. But this is also a super-luxury SUV, so you can count on Alcantara, carbon fiber, eight-way sport seats and more for your $183,000.
Lotus Eletre brings Lotus sports car sensibility to its first SUV
The first Lotus SUV is an EV beast. We should start seeing them on the road next year as 2024 models. Lotus sports cars are known not just for their sharp curves, but also for their attention to “adding lightness,” which sometimes translates to spartan interiors. However, the Eletre eschews the Lotus mantra of extra lightness, and instead packs in more than any Lotus before it, like a large touchscreen, leather, and more.
It comes in a 602-horsepower version, or the limited-edition R-spec, which will get 906 horsepower from its twin-motor unit. The base price is $85,000, however, it’s not as useful as others on this list because it only seats four people. However, each seat is a deep bucket.
Maserati Grecale: all new for 2023 and
First of all, pronounce this tongue twister as gree-ka’leh. But, when you’ve got up to 523 horsepower, who cares what you call the new Maserati Grecale. The Maserati uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, and in Trofeo trim, it should have enough power to scare up to four of your friends. It also has a modern version of its interior, with a pair of touch screens on the dash, with a digital gauge cluster. The GT starts at $65,000, however the Trophy should cost upwards of $100,000.
BMW iXM60 is a powerhouse EV
BMW’s new iX M60 is fast, expensive and fully electric. For the first time in an EV SUV, BMW dropped its M-brand tuners and bumped up the electric motors to 610 horsepower in this big five-seat SUV. With launch control engaged, BMW estimates it will hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. But, horsepower comes at a slightly higher cost at range, as it drops to 288 compared to the xDrive50’s 324 range.
Inside is where the M60 really dazzles, with a giant in-dash screen that’s bigger than most TVs. Starts at around $105,000
The 2023 Range Rover Sport is the sporty SUV for traditionalists
Finally, Range Rover is getting into the mega performance aspect of its capable SUV, the Sport. But unlike the others that rely on electric motors for monstrous power, the Rover Luddites roll out a twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz AMG V8 that makes 523 horsepower. Like the others, though, its interior is dominated by a giant touchscreen in the middle of the dash, and leather and wood wherever your hand falls.
We’re hoping for an all-electric high-performance version soon, but for now, the $123,000 RR Sport will have to suffice.