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Best luxury SUVs 2026

Luxury SUVs combine the sophistication of a luxury car with the sheer practicality of an SUV. Here’s our pick of the current crop

The best luxury SUVs take the opulence and refinement of a posh saloon, and then combine these with the practicality and ruggedness offered by an SUV. This blend of space and elegance, combined with a commanding on-road presence have made SUVs the bodystyle of choice in the luxury car market. 

Anyone in the market for a luxury SUV is now spoiled for choice. From blistering supercar-like performance to outstanding off-road ability, virtually every major luxury manufacturer has something to offer. 

Our experts have thoroughly tested every luxury SUV on sale in the UK, and you can find the best ones to buy right here. 

Compare the best luxury SUVs

Take a look below to see our list of the top 10 best luxury SUVs to buy right now or click the links in the table above to look at a specific model

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1. Range Rover

  • Prices from £106,000

Pros

Cons

  • Benchmark luxury and comfort
  • Superb ride quality
  • Genuine off-road capability
  • Extremely expensive
  • Large and heavy
  • High running costs

The original Range Rover is often credited as the pioneer of the luxury SUV breed, and it continues to find itself at the top of the class many decades after the first model made its debut.

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Although the starting price has worked its way into six-figure territory over the years, the good news is that this British bruiser has become more luxurious than ever. There’s limo-like space inside (especially if you opt for the four-seater version) and there’s plenty of adjustment for just about everything ranging from seating position to the suspension height. 

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Technically speaking, the latest Range Rover is a much more sophisticated machine than its ancestor, but this model still retains full off-road capability. The Range Rover feels at home just about anywhere, whether cruising on the motorway, gliding through town or conquering a muddy and slippery field or track. Whatever kind of terrain passes under the wheels, you’re unlikely to notice too much difference thanks to the Range Rover’s excellent refinement and ride quality.

The latest Range Rover is also the most advanced yet in terms of powertrains, and the MLA-Flex platform can cater for just about any need. Petrol, diesel and even plug-in hybrid variants are all on offer, and an all-electric version of the Range Rover is on the way for the first time, too, which truly slashes costs and emissions.

“Handling is pretty good for a large, 2.5-tonne SUV, although there’s still plenty of body lean in the bends; if you’re looking for more agility, try a Range Rover Sport.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter

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2. BMW iX

  • Prices from £75,400

Pros

Cons

  • Long electric range
  • Quiet and luxurious cabin
  • Strong performance 
    in M60 form
  • Controversial styling
  • Very expensive
  • Smaller boot than some rivals

While the BMW iX might be rather divisive in the styling department, this electric SUV is a showcase of the company’s engineering brilliance. 

Take a seat inside the iX and the sheer level of quality will quickly become apparent, with top-end materials and cutting-edge technology found in abundance. Two 14.5-inch curved screens dominate the dashboard, and these feature BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system. The ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic sunroof means there’s plenty of natural light, too. 

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There’s no denying the luxury, but this is still a BMW, so it’s only fitting that the iX is great to drive. Regardless of its bulk, this SUV feels truly agile when tackling corners, while the build quality, suspension and electric powertrain all work together to maintain a very impressive level of refinement. Only the very worst of Britain’s tarmac is able to upset the ride. 

Power comes from large batteries and dual electric motors, giving the iX all-wheel drive and serious performance. In range-topping M70 form it produces 650bhp, enabling a 0-62mph sprint in 3.8 seconds while still offering impressive driving range. The base 408bhp xDrive45 covers 374 miles, with the bigger, 112kWh battery xDrive60 the long-distance champ with 424 miles. DC charging rates vary between 175kW and 195kW.

“We pitched the facelifted BMW iX against the Lotus Eletre, and the iX won, thanks to its superb comfort, refinement, interior space and performance.” - Alex Ingram, former chief reviewer

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3. Porsche Cayenne

  • Prices from £78,000

Pros

Cons

  • Outstanding handling for an SUV
  • Broad engine range
  • Luxurious, hi-tech interior
  • Expensive options
  • Firm ride in sportier models
  • Some rivals offer more space

Porsche has brought its renowned sports car knowhow to bear on the Cayenne and the result is a large SUV with the enthusiast driver in mind. 

Inside, the Porsche Cayenne’s interior is finished to a very high standard and it features a suitably driver-focused layout. Porsche’s latest technology is first-rate, too, with the latest Cayenne drawing design inspiration from the Taycan EV. This means a 12.6-inch curved driver’s display takes centre stage on the dashboard, along with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The cabin retains a crucially sporty feel, but it’s still very comfortable for long journeys.

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As we’d all expect from a Porsche, the Cayenne provides plenty of performance along with a level of agility that’s almost ridiculous for a car of this stature. Throw the Cayenne into a corner and its clever chassis control and active air-suspension system almost entirely eradicate body roll. This, combined with the highly responsive steering, delivers a driving experience that could almost cause you to forget that you’re driving such a hefty vehicle.

While low running costs aren’t exactly associated with Porsche, the Cayenne does come with the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This model can cover over 50 miles on pure-electric power but still pumps out up to 729bhp, depending on your chosen spec. For those who prefer traditional petrol and aren’t too fussed about regular refuelling, there are a selection of V6 and V8 engines to choose from. 

"The Cayenne is engaging to drive, offering impressive levels of comfort and refinement, along with excellent build quality.” - Max Adams, online reviews editor

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4. Land Rover Defender

  • Prices from £57,300
  • Best for off-roading

Pros

Cons

  • Supreme off road
  • Characterful design
  • Broad choice of models
  • Expensive to buy
  • Feels big in town
  • Running costs

If we’d called the Land Rover Defender luxurious a decade ago, you’d have thought we’d lost the plot. But these days JLR sells 10 times the volume of its rugged original at double the price, and has unleashed the most extreme Defender in history, the Octa. 

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There are three different wheelbases, badged 90, 100 and 130 for the three-door, five-door and extended-wheelbase model, and they’re available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power for about the broadest powertrain line-up of any model; there’s even
a commercial version with the back seats replaced by a lined load area. All are supremely capable off road, while being plush and classy inside but also retaining the original Defender’s chunky looks. There’s none of the poor packaging or refinement pain that came with the classic Defender, this is a proper premium SUV. 

And then there’s that range-topper. Kicking off at just under £150k, the Octa’s outrageous 4.4-litre V8 fires out a formidable 626bhp and 750Nm of torque, and is as capable as a performance car on the Tarmac, thanks to its incredibly clever hydraulic suspension, revised steering and brakes, new tyres and revised driving modes.  But drive it to the extent of its capabilities and you’ll see no better than the 12mpg we achieved. 

“It was every bit as fast and refined as a Range Rover Sport but with a dynamic edge that made it even more engaging to drive.” - Steve Sutcliffe, contributor

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5. Aston Martin DBX

  • Prices from £210,000

Pros

Cons

  • Incredible performance and handling
  • Beautifully crafted interior
  • Cutting-edge CarPlay Ultra infotainment
  • Firm ride in sportier settings
  • Running costs
  • Very expensive

Petrol hedonism: that’s the Aston Martin DBX in a nutshell. The firm has binned the 542bhp base model, for a two-car, V8-powered line-up of 697bhp 707 and the 717bhp S. Both go from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds, a second quicker than the discontinued version, and rampage on to 193mph. A Lamborghini Urus is the sole SUV to go faster – and even then only by 1mph. 

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So the DBX has supercar performance and is as close to supercar dynamics as you can get in an SUV. The steering is quick and feelsome, and the hi-tech chassis – packing adaptive dampers, air suspension and active roll control – ties the DBX down like an ultra-fast estate. The S benefits from a carbon roof and optional magnesium wheels to trim weight, tactics worthy of Aston’s Formula One team. But all this performance intent doesn’t come at the expense of comfort, which is superb. 

The cockpit majors on craftsmanship with swathes of Alcantara or leather, and plenty of switches providing simple controls, while the DBX’s special sauce is Apple CarPlay Ultra. Exclusive to Aston for now, it extends Apple’s interface across the entire digital dashboard and encompasses some car features such as climate control, for a supersized, strikingly modern interface.

With its dramatic styling, a richly finished interior and genuine thrills, the DBX is our pick of the ultra-exclusive, drivers’ SUVs.

“Speed, handling, luxury and practicality, it blends all of the best hot SUV qualities in a way that stands up against anything else for the money – or even more.” - Alex Ingram, former chief reviewer

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6. Range Rover Sport

  • Prices from £76,400

Pros

Cons

  • Great mix of comfort and handling
  • Decent plug-in hybrid range
  • Luxurious, high-quality cabin
  • Infotainment can be fiddly
  • Expensive options list
  • Can feel heavy

It might be the smaller, cheaper sibling to the full-size Range Rover, but the Range Rover Sport is still a highly capable and sophisticated SUV.

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Physically, the Range Rover Sport isn’t actually that much smaller than its sister car, which means there’s still a great deal of interior and luggage space. There are plenty of equally fancy materials to be found, too, regardless of its lower starting price. While JLR has done away with numerous buttons and switches, the infotainment software has been drastically improved so any potential frustrations should be kept at bay. 

The Range Rover Sport drives just as a Range Rover should. Not only will this luxury SUV take tough terrain in its stride, but you’ll be enjoying outstanding comfort throughout the whole process. Another similarity to the full-size Range Rover is the choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power, all of which come with four-wheel drive as standard. We found the optional rear-wheel steering was a bit of a blessing when driving in urban areas, as this is an undeniably large car. 

Those in the biggest hurry will want to look towards the mighty SV model with its 626bhp twin-turbocharged V8 engine. However, there are also two plug-in hybrid models, the more powerful of which offers a decent amount of shove along with some slight financial relief, as this too produces a potent 523bhp. Either way, you’ll be blasted from 0-62mph in well under five seconds.

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“Refinement is much improved, with advanced air springs and active dampers managing the vehicle’s hefty weight better.” - Paul Barker, editor

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7. BMW X7

  • Prices from £93,200

Pros

Cons

  • Spacious seven-seat interior
  • Strong performance from engines
  • Impressive blend of comfort and handling
  • Some rivals feel more opulent
  • Heavy reliance on touchscreen controls
  • High emissions for most models

This is BMW’s Range Rover. That’s not an empty statement, given that BMW steered development of the game-changing, 2001 Rangie when it owned Rover. 

Similar in stature, the BMW X7 comes in six or seven-seat configurations, and feels just as airy, thanks to its deep glasshouse. Space is generous across all three rows, and the boot remains practical even with seven seats in use – a compelling differentiator for big families. 

Where the X7 differs is with its driver-orientated focus. The steering is nicely weighted, the tyres and all-wheel-drive xDrive set-up produce loads of grip and higher-spec cars have rear-wheel steering to pivot the X7 into corners, plus active anti-roll bars. That said, the standard air suspension offers good body control and comfort, if not quite in the Range Rover’s ‘magic carpet’ league.         

Power comes from silky straight-six petrol and diesel engines with mild-hybrid assistance to enhance efficiency, and then there’s the  muscular V8-powered M60i. This produces around 523bhp, but the 347bhp diesel, with its massive spread of torque and 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, is the pick of the bunch. 

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The 2022 revamp added a new dash with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch curved infotainment screen. The cabin feels suitably opulent with a choice of light or dark tones, and leather or animal-free upholstery.

 “The X7’s blend of quality, luxury, hi-tech kit and superb refinement makes it a compelling option – if you like its looks.” - Jordan Katsianis, news editor

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8. Rolls-Royce Cullinan

  • Prices from £350,000

Pros

Cons

  • Peerlessly luxurious cabin
  • Effortless V12 performance
  • Exceptional build quality
  • High emissions and poor fuel economy
  • Hugely expensive
  • Vast proportions

Not only is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan one of the most lavishly appointed and expensive SUVs on sale in Britain, it’s one of the biggest, too.

Put simply, the Cullinan is one the most exclusive SUVs money can buy. This is reflected in its price, which starts at more than £300,000, as well as its interior. There’s lashings of the finest leather and wood everywhere, and these materials are combined with some great tech from BMW. The options list is a very long one, too, because at this price you can afford to be incredibly picky. 

Rolls-Royce’s first SUV is aimed more towards people who will climb behind the wheel rather than the chauffeur market. To that end, it’s good to drive, too, while Rolls has worked hard to ensure that the Cullinan is not just a leviathan for the road — it’s immensely capable off-road as well. To allow a Roller’s ride quality to be compromised would be a travesty, so the suspension uses camera technology to read the road ahead to prepare itself. The automatic gearbox even uses GPS to be ready for incoming corners and gradients.

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A 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing 563bhp and 950Nm of torque sits under the bonnet. This lives an unstressed life, and contributes to the immensely refined and serene environment the Cullinan offers when on the move. 

“The Cullinan II is finely crafted, uncompromisingly luxurious and has a grace that lifts it above being merely an SUV.” - Jordan Katsianis, news editor

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9. Ferrari Purosangue

  • Prices from £313,000
  • Best driving experience

Pros

Cons

  • Astonishing V12 performance
  • Supercar-like steering and handling
  • Unique Ferrari character
  • Small boot and only four seats
  • Thirsty V12 engine
  • Very expensive

The Ferrari Purosangue is a car they said they’d never make at Maranello, but here we are.

While Ferrari doesn't want the Pursoangue referred to as an SUV, we’re willing to be rebellious. This car is a V12 powered, £313k-plus, four-door answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but with much more focus placed on sportiness. Inside, you’ll find carbon fibre and a tonne of powertrain configuration options — there’s certainly no wood here.

While the Purosangue is brash, thirsty and extremely expensive, this Fezza offers a driving experience that its rivals simply can’t match. There’s almost endless clarity and speed when it comes to the chassis, steering and throttle response. Indeed, when you want to sit back and relax, the car settles down and morphs into a comfortable cruiser, albeit with a slightly firmer ride than its rivals.

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The engine itself is the same 6.5-litre V12 that you’ll find in the Ferrari 12Cilindri. It’s slightly detuned for the Purosangue, but at no point were our road testers disappointed with the 715bhp on tap. A mere 3.3 second 0-62mph and 192mph top speed mean this car is indeed worthy of wearing the prancing horse badge.

“The chassis and steering, plus the way it stops, truly distinguish the Purosangue as something a little bit different.” Steve Sutcliffe, contributor

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10. Lotus Eletre

  • Prices from £85,000

Pros

Cons

  • Steers and accelerates like a Lotus
  • Eye-catching, spacious cabin
  • Very fast charging
  • So-so real-world efficiency
  • Hybrid is yet to arrive
  • Small retailer base

The mere thought of an electric Lotus SUV was a controversial one, but the Lotus Eletre is a hugely capable car.

Thanks to some serious investment from parent company Geely, this Lotus is a huge step in a new direction for the sporting brand. Technology, quality and outright appeal are in abundance, and the option of four seats only adds to an already spacious cabin. 

Luxuriousness is only part of the equation, though, as this is still a Lotus. Thankfully, this EV is genuinely exciting to drive regardless of its bulk or fully electric powertrain. The ride feels very well controlled, there’s oodles of steering feedback and the brake and throttle are carefully balanced.

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In base spec, the Eletre 600 is powered by a 109kWh battery and twin electric motors producing 595bhp and 710Nm of torque, with a 4.5-second 0-62mph time. The 893bhp Eletre 900 is the one that has supercar sprinting capability, with that sub-three-second 0-62mph time. Official range figures span 310 to 373 miles, but expect to see a real-world figure starting with a ‘2’. No matter, 350kW DC public charging gets you back on the road quickly.  

And the great news is the Eletre will embrace hybrid power in 2026, enabling it to travel more than 600 miles, thanks to a 70kWh battery charged by an on-board four-cylinder turbo. Lotus’s answer to a diesel cruiser? With 939bhp and 0-62mph in 3.3-seconds, hardly. 

“Eletre is a new kind of car for the firm, for a new kind of world. Mostly it works a treat. It’s entertaining to drive and high in quality.” - Steve Sutcliffe, contributor.

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How we choose the best luxury SUVs

If you’re someone who’s fortunate enough to be in the market for a luxury SUV, you’ll naturally want the very best when spending such a considerable amount of money. First and foremost, a luxury car should offer an interior like no other, with top-shelf materials, groundbreaking technology, superb quality and acres of space. With some of these cars costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, there’s no room for compromise here. 

Accompanying this fine cabin should be an effortlessly smooth driving experience, ideally with a plentiful amount of power behind it. Our expert road testers drive every luxury SUV you can buy over thousands of miles over a variety of roads, so we know exactly just how well every model holds up in a very wide range of scenarios. 

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Land Rover Range Rover
BMW iX
Porsche Cayenne
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Phil is Auto Express’ editor-at-large: he keeps close to car companies, finding out about new cars and researching the stories that matter to readers. He’s reported on cars for more than 25 years as editor of Car, Autocar’s news editor and he’s written for Car Design News and T3. 

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