The 25 Fastest SUVs in the World, Ranked

All hail the humble Kia EV6 and its dual electric motors pumping out 577 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to get this all-wheel-drive ute hauling to 60 in 3.4 seconds, on its way to its 162 MPH limit. An added performance bonus: drift mode, where the EV6 switches to rear-wheel-drive to help you shred its stock Goodyears. Not to shabby for its $61,600 MSRP.

With the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai’s N performance division has created the answer to the ages-old question: “What if we made a family car that could embarrass sports cars at traffic lights?” This high-performance electric SUV produces 641 horsepower and achieves zero to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat, with a top speed of 162 mph. Perhaps most brilliantly, the Ioniq 5 N features simulated gear shifts and synthetic engine sounds, because sometimes a little theatrical enhancement is beneficial. All this makes us hopeful for some form of the N Vision 74 concept to make it to production. 

The X Plaid’s tri-motor configuration offers a whopping 1,020 horsepower and 1,151 lb-ft of torque, more than ample for the 5,300-pound EV. It’ll rip to 60 in around 2.5 seconds, enough to both terrify and delight your passengers. 

Lotus’ foray into four-doors is no slouch. Three electric motors generate 905 ponies and 726 lb-ft of oomph, funneled to all four wheels. The Eletre R tips the scales at 5,800 pounds, but the powertrain can keep up; the sprint to 60 is over in 3 seconds flat. 

While Mercedes-AMG seems to be listening that the people demand a return of the V8, those loudest decrying the four-pot setup should sample Mercedes-AMG’s newest hybrid, the GLC 63 S E. The fastback German coupe combines a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with electric assistance to produce 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and achieving a top speed of 168 mph. It’s proof that sometimes fewer cylinders can equal more fun, especially in Race mode.

But if you really want V-8 Tri Star performance, ze Germans are happy to comply. In the GLE 63 S, the mill bumps up to a 4.0-liter bi-turbo V-8 mild hybrid setup. On tap, 604 horses to drive the nine-speed automatic to 60 in 3.7—not the quickest on our list, but hey, 174 MPH is nothing to scoff at. 

If you’re looking at the prior two entrants, nodding like the Jack Nicholson GIF, and thinking, “Yes, but make it bigger,” step on over to the GLS 63. Same powertrain and performance spec as the GLE, but just topped with a larger body. 

The base BMW XM’s speedometer maxes out at 168. But for those who crave more, the Label Red trim delivers, unlocking an extra 6 MPH. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 hybrid cranks out 738 horsepower and equal lb-ft, necessary to move the XM’s 6,000-pounds of mass at warp speeds. 

At 4,313-pounds, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is one of the lither SUVs on this list. Accordingly, it needs less engine; a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 is nestled under the bonnet. Good for 505 horses and 443 lb-ft, this all-wheel-drive three-row seater dashes to 60 in a very admirable 3.3. 

If you’re buying an X4 M, you’ll want to first act quickly (production is slated to end in November 2025) and tick the Competition Package box, a $7,000 option. That wise decision bestows you with a straight-six mill good for 503 horsepower. 

Turn up the BMW crossover wick with the X5, where the straight-six is swapped with a 4.4-liter V-8. With 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft on tap, you get more engine and an improved exhaust note. You also get more mass. The X5 M is 816 pounds heavier, and that penalty shows up in the tear to 60; the X5 M arrives in 3.8 seconds, compared to the X4’s 3.3. 

There are a few trims of this compact SUV that bear the iconic Trident, but the one to snag is the maximum performance-oriented Trofeo. Powered by a 3.0-liter twin scroll V-6, the resulting 523 ponies gets you to 60 in 3.6, while the curb weight of 4,469 pounds and let you focus on driving dynamics and hang in the corners. 

Jaguar’s mill in the F-Pace SVR 575 Edition is a shot across Merc, Bimmer, and Alfa’s respective bows. In this new tune, the 575 Edition’s supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 churns out 567 horsepower and 516 lb-ft, hustling the all-wheel-drive SUV to 60 in 3.8 seconds. 

The Durango SRT Hellcat embodies the American automotive philosophy: when in doubt, add more power, then even more, then tack on a supercharger so loud, it will cause your neighbors to question your life choices. You won’t be sticking around for that inquisition, though. With a 6.2-liter V-8 with 710 horsepower that can launch this three-row family hauler from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds (and on to a top speed of 180 mph), you’ll be long gone. 

Another option for those who desire a Hellcat Hemi crammed into an SUV. With the same engine as the Durango SRT Hellcat, the Trackhawk adds the capability of living up to the first half of its name: it’s surprisingly decent on a circuit. That’s despite the 5,200-pound curb weight. Those Brembo brakes help scrub speed in a hurry. 

Alas, BMW doesn’t make an X7 M. Thankfully, Alpina does. The tuner starts with the same base X7 engine—a 4.4-liter twin puffer V-8, with a mild hybrid—and ekes out another 109 horses. Toss in an ECU overhaul and you’re left with a 631-horse X7 that’ll dash to 60 in 3.9. Impressive for a ute with such largess. 

Our final member of the 180 club. Here, we’ve got another 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8, but one key differentiator is the Rover’s suspension, what Jaguar Land Rover calls 6D Dynamics. These hydraulic air springs and dampeners promise increased adhesion under cornering. There’s a carbon edition of the Sport SV, drenched with carbon fiber bits, but expect that to climb well above $200,000, making it one of the more expensive entrants here. 

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Start with Stuttgart’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, add an electric motor, and you’ve got a combine 729 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of twist underfoot. Tack on the Sport Chrono Package, and the rip to 60 is over in 3.5 seconds. 

No, it’s not a typo, “performance” is lower-case, per Audi. The base Q8’s V-8 is capped at 155 MPH, but keep adding packages and watch your speedo climb dramatically. In the performance variant, you’ve got 631 ponies, carbon brakes, electromechanical active roll suspension, and more. The whole package is the fastest production SUV on the Nürburgring, lapping the circuit in 7 minutes and 36 seconds. 

Pure ICE satisfaction here, with a 4.0-liter twin puffer V-8, tuned to 650 horsepower, which is enough, per Porsche, to routinely run the quarter in 11.6. The scream to 60? Over in 3.1, perhaps less with optimal rubber. Incredible numbers from a 5,055-pound Porsche. 

While the Bentayga used to come with a W12 power plant, the new offering from the Winged B is a twin-turbo V-8, with 641 horses and 627 lb-ft on call. Those four cylinders aren’t missed; the Bentayga Speed positively screams and howls, especially if equipped with the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust. It’s also the only SUV on the list with a dashboard that you could equip with the burl of a felled tree from your estate. 

Ferrari’s entry into the SUV market represents perhaps the most significant evolution for the Prancing Horse. This $400,000+ SUV—sorry, Ferrari.—only has two seats in the back, so if you’ve got a family of five, the littles will have to draw straws to determine who’s left behind. The naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 produces 725 horsepower, propelling this four-door Ferrari from zero to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds while achieving a top speed of 193 mph.

Aston Martin’s DBX 707 epitomizes the brand’s tradition of creating beautiful, brutally fast grand tourers. The “707” designation refers to the power output from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, making it the most powerful SUV in Aston Martin’s history. This British thoroughbred accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds (the same as a Lamborghini Urus) and reaches a maximum velocity of 193 mph. Definitively ample enough for Bond. 

The Urus SE represents the pinnacle of Lamborghini’s super SUV evolution. It’s also the pinnacle of SUVs you want parked in your driveway. This plug-in hybrid masterpiece combines a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 with an electric motor to produce an astounding 789 horsepower. The result is a zero-to-60-mph sprint of just 3.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 194 mph. This is perfect for emergency organic kale runs or ripping around backcountry carvers with four giggling friends (or, in this author’s case, one friend and three ebullient toddlers in car seats). 

This isn’t a production unit, but it’s definitively the fastest SUV in the world. At least according to Guinness World Records. Well, now it’s even faster. This Patrol R is built around a Nissan GT-R R35 chassis, by Dubai-based tuners F Performance. Under the hood? A twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6, but those turbos are ginormous. The power output is 3,000 horsepower, with 2,581 lb-ft of torque.  

For its official speed run at Tilal Swaihan, a half-mile strip race in Abu Dhabi’s deserts, the F Performance team wanted to help increase the boxy Nissan’s aerodynamics. …So they duct taped the panel gaps around the front end to reduce drag. It worked; the Patrol R hit 233.7 MPH. It’s unclear how they’ll unlock additional speed, but we’re relatively certain F Performance is already back under the bonnet, figuring out just that.