Any time you start looking for a new SUV, you’ll discover models that are out of your price range. This raises the question, “Which SUV is the priciest one money can buy, and exactly how much is it?”
The list uses the base costs for the most expensive editions.
Some of these cars are too new to have undergone thorough crash testing, and some high-end SUVs will never experience such testing.
This article looks at seven of the most luxurious SUVs and what makes them so expensive.
Why Are SUVs Popular?
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint why SUVs are so popular, many customers favor the higher seating position or the increased sense of security.
However, nothing proves that an SUV is safer than an equivalent passenger car.
The expanded availability and variety of SUVs – many manufacturers now offering more SUV options than conventional passenger cars – is another contributing factor to their rising appeal.
Top Seven Most Expensive SUVs:
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Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge
Rolls-Royce prefers to refer to it as a “high-sided vehicle” rather than an SUV to differentiate the Cullinan from its more traditional limousines, coupes, and convertibles.
The Cullinan tops the list with a price tag of $754,000. Also, note that this is simply the base pricing before the owner decides to add any customizations or optional additions.
This places it among the most expensive new cars you can purchase, only being surpassed by its twin, the Phantom, and a select number of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
Like every Rolls-Royce, the car offers extravagance on wheels with a cabin completed in the best materials, from quilted leather to metallic accents.
The 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 petrol engine in the Cullinan Black Badge is powerful and produces a staggering 441kW/900Nm.
It has a carbon fiber trim throughout the cabin and black leather with a brightly colored outline to highlight it, keeping with the edgier concept.
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Bentley Bentayga Speed
This SUV debuted in 2016 and raised the standard above what Range Rover and its competitors had previously provided. It was the first genuinely premium SUV.
Every model in the lineup is beautiful and well-equipped, as one would expect from a Bentley, but they are also all incredibly pricey. You can get the “cheapest” Bentayga at $348,300, but the top-of-the-line Speed costs at least $500,000.
The Bentayga Speed provides an exquisite interior experience and obscene performance for its $491,000 asking price. Its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine, which produces 467kW/900Nm more than the Cullinan, is the reason for this.
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Lamborghini Urus
You’ll skip Bentley and go right for its Italian cousin if you want performance from your premium SUV.
The Urus emphasizes the “Sports” portion of the SUV definition by focusing on driving dynamics and performance instead of interior room and utility.
Lamborghini has a history with off-roading, despite being best known for producing eye-catching hypercars such as the Countach, Diablo, and Aventador.
Ferruccio Lamborghini’s successful tractor company, Lamborghini Trattori, provided the funding for establishing Automobili Lamborghini.
The Hummer-like off-roader LM002 was produced under the rampaging bull brand in the 1980s as a prospective Italian military vehicle.
However, the Urus is more closely related to the Porsche Cayenne as part of the shared development across VW Group products and shares little in common with the alleged “Rambo Lambo” LM002.
Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces 478kW and 850Nm, enables acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.6 seconds.
Furthermore, despite being a large SUV, it drives remarkably well because of various technical features, such as rear-wheel steering and all-wheel drive with active torque vectoring.
It also has active roll stabilization, adaptive air suspension, and standard carbon ceramic brakes.
The Urus is the second cheapest Lamborghini sold, with only the $384,187 Huracan EVO rear-wheel drive model undercutting it.
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Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600
The Maybach brand once revolved entirely around opulent limousines created to cater to the wealthiest car purchasers. It was much like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. However, it couldn’t avoid being a victim of the SUV mania.
Moreover, the Mercedes-Maybach insignia still signifies a top-of-the-line car in the S-Class limousine and the GLS SUV.
Priced at $378,297, the Maybach GLS 600 is more than $100,000 more expensive than the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, which is the vehicle in the range below it.
A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 410kW/730Nm of torque drives this SUV, and when necessary, a 48-volt mild hybrid system adds 16kW/250Nm of boost.
Many consider this the best luxury SUV for reliability. However, some still have reservations about it.
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Aston Martin DBX
Are you curious why brands such as Porsche and Lamborghini are producing SUVs that seem at odds with their history as sports car producers? Look no further than Aston Martin and its DBX.
The popularity of SUVs has forced companies such as Ferrari, with a reputation for performance, into the space. Simply put, these businesses require SUVs to exist.
Aston Martin can stay in business and have enough cash to spend on its upcoming line of hero sports cars because of SUVs such as the DBX.
It’s not that the DBX is a letdown. It is a stunning SUV with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 405kW/700Nm.
Although slower than the Urus, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in an incredible 4.5 seconds.
The Aston Martin DBX cost $356,512 when it came out.
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Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Coupe
When Porsche introduced the first generation Cayenne in 2003, it was perhaps the first premium manufacturer to venture into SUVs.
Porsche unveiled the Turbo GT Coupe, a new model for the Cayenne lineup, in 2021 to maintain raising the standard for performance.
It uses the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine as the Cayenne Turbo, but Porsche increased its output by 67kW/80Nm to 471kW/850Nm to earn the “GT” moniker.
With that added power, it outperforms the Urus and DBX, sprinting from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds.
The chassis and suspension have undergone several modifications to enhance handling.
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control with active roll stabilization, carbon ceramic brakes, and 22-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tires accompany the car as standard equipment.
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Range Rover p400e
Although the 25 or so miles of the electric range sound impressive, it will require some work to get the most out of it.
The Range Rover Sport P400e’s 296bhp 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, 114bhp electric motor, and 13kWh battery pack combine to power the vehicle.
Everything runs well with several EV modes to “save” electricity or charge while driving.
However, you must plug it in as frequently as possible, just like all plug-in hybrids.
The P400e’s 2.0-liter engine can feel a little stressed when moving the SUV with dead batteries.
You give up some utility by choosing the P400e over a Range Rover Sport. Most Sport models have the option of having seven seats, but the P400e only has five.
This is because of the battery under the trunk floor.
Which Is the Best Luxury SUV?
Choosing the best luxury SUV is subjective. Users will assess these cars with different objectives and tastes.
It is advisable to make a priority list of factors per your desires. You can then rate the various cars with these to help you find the SUV that brings you joy when you drive it.
