Remember when people bought SUVs because they needed to haul people and stuff while also towing a trailer? We’re light years away from that now, as SUVs have all but taken over the automotive market. Because of that popularity, they’re becoming faster, safer, and more tech-rich with every year that passes. Some automakers even offer performance SUVs with massive horsepower numbers and near-supercar levels of acceleration.
That’s why we’re here today – to discuss the most powerful SUVs on the market today. Many of the names on this list will get a knowing nod from many readers, who recognize their performance nameplates, but there will be at least a few surprises for everyone. Let’s dive in.
Please note, models with similar power outputs have been omitted for clarity. An example is the BMW X6 M Performance, which carries the same performance specs that the X5 M Competition does. We chose the best representation of the power for this article’s listing based on our testing of the models.
No. 15 – Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring
![2021 Lincoln Aviator](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg3OTY5MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY5NTY4ODg0OX0.j0-6Q4BiSXCuywCDh-WpLE4QWypR6zNNqEY5k1S4XQE/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Motor Company
494 horsepower
630 pound-feet of torque
The Lincoln Aviator’s standard powertrain, which involves a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, is more than powerful enough for most people, but the automaker offers a Grand Touring model that adds hybrid power to the mix. The Aviator Grand Touring pairs a 75-kilowatt electric motor to that V6 to produce 494 total system horsepower. That’s a big number, but the extra torque is where the real story lies, as the Aviator Grand Touring produces 630 pound-feet of the stuff. How does zero to 60 mph in five seconds in a Lincoln SUV sound?
No. 14 – Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
![2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifolgio](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzI2NDA4My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTI1MjYzMn0.3whQBMyLtEbVjCQz3yWvrwfz-zGC1iPZQ7zIPDY1Ax0/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC
505 horsepower
443 pound-feet of torque
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is powered by a Ferrari-developed twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 and puts its 505 horsepower to the ground through all four wheels and an eight-speed automatic transmission. That engine also delivers 443 pound-feet of torque for a zero to 60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds.
No. 13 – Tesla Model X
![2020 Tesla Model X](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg5NTI4MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTcwNzgxMTY0OH0.uBLYFBU8-Svpvh2hQByYsUmumPzjjz1XLuc47LLkuMk/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors
518 horsepower
487 pound-feet of torque
A vehicle that makes 518 horsepower and doesn’t use a tablespoon of gas in the process is impressive enough on its own, but the Tesla Model X has plenty of other virtues. The EV can travel from zero to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, can seat up to seven people, has cool (but questionably practical) X-wing doors, and has an amazing suite of advanced driver assistance technologies.
No. 12 – Jaguar F-Pace SVR
![2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg2MjczOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY4MzYyMzg5M30.N5XWKwvaxn5eori30Y4SVQxZKW-Th9HdUtDGOF-fCio/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Jaguar
550 horsepower
502 pound-feet of torque
The F-Pace was Jaguar’s first attempt at a crossover, and for the most part it’s turned out quite well. Though the automaker now makes two other crossover models, including one EV, the F-Pace is its most powerful. The SVR model takes that power a step further with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that makes 550 horsepower and a thunderous noise out its back end. That power is good enough for the SVR to make the run from zero to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 176 mph.
No. 11 – Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR
![2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR Carbon Edition](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzQ1NzgzMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTcyMDE1MDUyNn0.M9zeVbdPrBrzvM4JVHL9XQfwiIVf9Q03OaSuQgxtSpk/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
575 horsepower
516 pound-feet of torque
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR gets the same supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that its corporate cousin, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR has. Here, it’s tuned to 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That’ll help the Range Rover Sport SVR reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.3 seconds.
No. 10 – Maserati Levante Trofeo
![2021 Maserati Levante Trofeo](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU1MjQyOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2OTU4NzcyN30.P20t2zttZJORKEXVO689RPjf3ArZi-5ddJ3x4OQZhjw/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Maserati
590 horsepower
538 pound-feet of torque
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is quick, but the Maserati Levante Trofeo holds the title of Italy’s most powerful SUV. In the Trofeo, the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine puts down an incredible 590 horsepower and can propel the Maserati to a zero to 60 mph time of 3.6 seconds.
No. 9 – Audi RS Q8
![2020 Audi RS Q8](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg3MzgxMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY5NTg5MDY3N30.XBysmGZ9N5JRgS7If6ye5cRnHVrKpQdJ9YxO-Mga5NQ/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Audi AG
591 horsepower
590 pound-feet of torque
If a Lamborghini Urus is too flashy for you, the RS Q8 offers much of the same engineering without the baggage. It’s got a 4.0-liter V8 that produces 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. That’s a combination that yields a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds.
No. 8 – Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge
![2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjA2Njg5MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTcwOTgyMTY3Nn0.tdm0K9f0kbeFWV1zhvjhVJMYKRYqS8jqXLS5iyv7hpA/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo by Harvey Briggs
600 horsepower
664 pound-feet of torque
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the size of a house and has all of the right angles to prove it. A 6.7-liter V12 under the hood provides 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to move the enormous SUV from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds.
No. 7 – Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S
![Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjEwMDk4OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3OTczNzA1MX0.GB_-zO2018h8p7nWIjOmEhTs_wbYkTeG3nyiglATlDY/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
603 horsepower
627 pound-feet of torque
Just running through the Mercedes-AMG SUV catalog would make quick work of this list. The group’s got a handle on powerful people movers, and it shows. The GLE 63 S makes 603 horsepower while looking and driving like a normal vehicle in everyday situations. A stab of the throttle wakes up the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, however, and makes a wondrous noise in the process.
No. 6 – BMW X5 M Competition
![2020 BMW X5 M Competition](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTExOTIwMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY4NjM1MDE0M30.exLwcDF1lpUI0WMiqbSMjhfp6OfFpBf1To1bZxab2BU/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of BMW
617 horsepower
553 pound-feet of torque
The X5 was BMW’s first SUV and remains a flagship of the company’s lineup today. The X5 M Competition takes the already-bonkers 600 hp that the “normal” X5 M gets from its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 and cranks it up to 617 ponies. The SUV can make the run from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.
No. 5 – Bentley Bentayga Speed
![2021 Bentley Bentayga Speed](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTExOTA4My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY4MzkzMDk3Nn0.ee2kfQ8V9owpc3ZnMszfQ9B7KnOQHaCgLrzsDD1Zzb8/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors
626 horsepower
664 pound-feet of torque
With its deep six-figure price tag and unique looks, the Bentley Bentayga Speed is one of the more unique vehicles on this list. It’s powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 engine that sends 626 ponies to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. That helps the Bentayga Speed run zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.
No. 4 – Lamborghini Urus
![2020 Lamborghini Urus](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDc5NTIyNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3NjYwODE4NX0.f67DCnDGPLW-8jgSKj7Kz3QTEBB5bMug9iuNkYUjifg/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Lamborghini
641 horsepower
626 pound-feet of torque
Funny names aside, the Lamborghini Urus is a serious vehicle. As the automakers first SUV effort, the Urus had big performance shoes to fill, and has done so admirably. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 makes 641 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. The Urus takes just a hair over three seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill and can go on to a top speed of 190 mph.
No. 3 – Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid
![2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY1NDEzNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY5NzA1NzI1OX0.9M0CM2ySwFb4l7Hgs3yiEKlE2a4qAVMfrmAAf1xIEUw/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of Porsche AG
670 horsepower
663 pound-feet of torque
Hybrids aren’t just good on gas. All of that extra off-the-line torque makes for a thrilling driving experience. That’s just what we see in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, whose name takes almost as long to say as it does for the SUV to run to 60 mph. The vehicle gets a whopping 670 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque from its combined systems, and can hit 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.
No. 2 – Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
![2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTExODkxOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTcwOTMxMDI1NH0.jOmy8738Bk-u_JIdGPcSCVyuv_8ylbsyq8HCUrjMmK4/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC
707 horsepower
645 pound-feet of torque
And then, the Hellcat met a Jeep. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk was the first SUV to get the supercharged 6.2-liter engine and remains one of the most powerful SUVs you can buy today. It gets 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque from its engine, which reaches all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The big Jeep is capable of traveling from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
No. 1 – Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
![2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk0NTc2NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTcxNDU1Nzk3MH0.OuTedizMvOrcYnFP_kOOX3vXRKHEUCc8p8klStOuDcc/img.jpg?width=980)
Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC
710 horsepower
640 pound-feet of torque
Dodge’s approach to the auto business, which in recent years has been a philosophy of “Hellcat all the things,” seems to be working. The company’s Durango SUV could already be ordered with a 475-horsepower 392 cubic-inch engine, but more power is almost always a good thing. The Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V8 makes 710 horsepower in the new Durango, and helps it make the zero to 60 mph run in a scant 3.5 seconds.