SUVs may be the go-to vehicle for families, but there’s no reason they can’t be fun. Or extremely fun in the case of Porsche’s first entry in the class, the Cayenne. Because of the German marque’s position as one of the world’s leading sports car makers, the vehicle was met with plenty of skepticism when it debuted in 2002. More than two decades later, it’s more than established itself as a vehicle that delivers the same performance as the coupé the brand is best known for, only with the convenience of space and cargo room. The current range-topper, the Turbo E Hybrid, has an electrified 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 728 horses enabling it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. An all-electric version could make its debut later this year, as well.

In production since: 2002
Top powertrain option: 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with an electric motor (Turbo E-Hybrid)
Power: 729 horsepower and 700 ft lbs (949 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 183 mph (295 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 381,150

It took Acura some time to figure things out, but the fourth iteration of the MDX, which debuted in 2022, might be the best yet. Its design doesn’t scream luxury, but its exterior still looks fresh and modern even though its inside it could use a little extra pizzazz (though a new infotainment update for 2025 helps). It’s also got some pep, especially if you opt for the performance-oriented Type S variant. That version of the SUV has a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 that delivers 355 hp and comes with standard all-wheel-drive.

In production since: 2000
Top powertrain option: 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 (Type S)
Power: 355 horsepower and 354 ft lbs (480 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 111 mph (179 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 230,400

Acura’s first all-electric SUV makes a strong first impression. The ZDX—which was co-developed with General Motors and shares underpinnings with the Cadillac Lyriq—has a sleek and sporty shape. It won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s a clean and modern-looking vehicle inside and out (though the cabin could use a luxe flourish or two). The big selling point here is a dual-motor electric powertrain that makes just shy of 500 hp in the range-topping Type S. Range is just as important as output when it comes to EVs, and the ZDX more than delivers, able to log 300 miles between charges.

In production since: 2024
Top powertrain option: Dual-motor electric powertrain (Type S)
Power: 499 horsepower and 544 ft lbs (737 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 4.3 seconds
Top speed: 131 mph (211 km/h)
Range: 313 miles (504 km)
Starting Price: RM 290,250

The BMW X5 is one of the older SUVs you’ll find on this list. But it doesn’t feel dated, even if its most recent generation has been around for five years. Instead, the design still looks sharp—especially when compared to the warthog-like XM—and the interior feels just as premium as you’d hope (and also is available with a cramped third row of seats). The big story here, though, is the performance. The top-of-the-line X5 M Competition has a hybrid-assisted twin-turbocharged V-8 that pumps out over 600 horses. This version of the SUV doesn’t move like a sports car, but it’s about as close as you’ll come to one in this class.

In production since: 1998
Top powertrain option: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with a mild-hybrid system (M Competition)
Power: 617 horsepower and 553 ft lbs (750 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph (249 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 298,350

Today’s Cadillac isn’t exactly at the vanguard of style, but there’s no denying that its debut EV, the Lyriq, is a sharp-looking vehicle. The first battery-powered Caddy looks thoroughly modern, especially its illuminated front fascia. The interior has a strong premium look and is extra quiet thanks to the lack of a gas-guzzling mill up front. Speaking of that, the SUV’s powertrain produces 500 hp in the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version. Range, meanwhile, tops 300 miles, just as it does in the Lyriq’s cousin, the Acura ZDX.

In production since: 2022
Top powertrain option: Dual-motor electric powertrain (AWD)
Power: 500 horsepower and 450 ft lbs (610 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 118 mph (190 km/h)
Range: 314 miles (505 km)
Starting Price: RM 257,378

The Escalade might be Cadillac’s most famous current model—let alone SUV—but not everyone wants an SUV that big. For drivers in the market for something a little more manageable, there’s the XT6. Rather than just shrink down the Escalade, Cadillac decided to give the vehicle its own distinct design—which may have been a mistake, as it’s a tad generic when compared to its bigger sibling. The cabin, though, looks nice enough and comfortably has room for seven adults. The 3.6-liter V-6 in the range-topping Sport could stand to be a little more exciting but its 300-plus hp and 132 mph top speed are both more than respectable.

In production since: 2020
Top powertrain option: 3.6-liter V-6 (Sport)
Power: 310 horsepower and 271 ft lbs (367 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 6.4 seconds
Top speed: 132 mph (212 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 221,378

Genesis may not have the same name recognition as some of the other brands on this list, but it has repeatedly proven itself to be one of the more interesting luxury marques out there. The refreshed GV80 will only add to this well-earned reputation because it looks and feels like something that should cost significantly more than it does. It has a sleek design, which includes a new grille for 2025, that looks at once sporty and sophisticated, while its ultra-plush interior is as elegant as they come. It’s hard to pick a favorite cabin feature, but ours would be the dashboard’s 27-inch OLED display that includes both the instrument gauge and infotainment system.

In production since: 2021
Top powertrain option: 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (3.5T)
Power: 375 horsepower and 391 ft lbs (530 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 5.3 seconds
Top speed: 149 mph (240 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 261,900

Infiniti’s second-generation QX60, which debuted in 2022, more than delivers on the style front. The Japanese marque’s latest midsize SUV looks so much better than its previous iteration and has a smooth, graceful shape with just the right amount of flair. The interior is maybe be a little too understated but looks both modern and sophisticated, something that you can’t always say about the brand’s vehicle. But while the QX60 looks as good as any of the other entries on this list, it struggles to keep from a performance standpoint. A 3.5-liter V-6 that couldn’t quite muster out 300 hp, has been jettisoned for a inline-four that makes 27 less horsepower. It does offer all-wheel drive, though.

In production since: 2017
Top powertrain option: 2.0-liter inline-four
Power: 268 horsepower and 286 ft lbs (388 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 7.5 seconds
Top speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 236,250

Seven decades in, Land Rover has proven it can make SUVs for any kind of driver. For those looking for something that splits the difference between the ultra-capable Defender and the luxurious Range Rover, there’s the midsize Discovery. It’s an SUV that sometimes gets forgotten but does just about everything. It looks good and has three rows and seven seats making it well-suited for families. The hybrid-assisted 3.0-liter inline-six available in the SE splits its 355 hp between all-four wheels, which is plenty for some off-road fun.

In production since: 1989
Top powertrain option: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system (Dynamic SE)
Power: 355 horsepower and 369 ft lbs (500 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 130 mph (209 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 270,900

Yes, the Range Rover Sport, as its name suggests, looks athletic, but it’s also seriously stylish. The standard Range Rover’s little sibling is a gorgeous SUV that manages that has always looked sleek and commanding, especially since its 2022 refresh. It also, as its name suggests, packs a punch. The range-topping SV Edition has a twin-turbocharged V-8 with a mild-hybrid system that pumps out over 620 horses. The setup, which is connected to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, allow the car to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and to a top speed of 180 mph, making it the fastest model in the marque’s history.

In production since: 2005
Top powertrain option: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with a mild-hybrid system (SV Edition 2)
Power: 626 horsepower and 553 ft lbs (750 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 180 mph (290 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 376,650

The exterior and powertrain may get all the attention, but the interior is the aspect of a vehicle that that driver interacts with most. The latest iteration of the Lexus RX has had one of the best cabins in its class since debuting in 2022. The space has a clean and sophisticated design—including one of the better driver cockpits—premium materials, and is topped with a panorama glass roof. Seating is limited to five, but there’s plenty of cargo room behind its second row. The exterior design has been improved in all the right ways, while its turbocharged inline-four packs up to a 366-hp punch that’s well-suited for everyday driving.

In production since: 1998
Top powertrain option: 2.4-liter turbocharged inline four with hybrid assist (F Sport Performance)
Power: 366 horsepower and 406 ft lbs (550 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 5.9 seconds
Top speed: 130 mph (209 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 226,462

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Class may not have the cache of the bigger and boxier G-Wagen, but it remains one of the better all-around SUVs you can buy. Its smooth exterior is starting to feel a bit dated despite some tweaks but will still turn heads on your daily commute. The tech-packed interior is opulent and spacious and has the option of three rows (making it perfect for families, even if the last row is a bit cramped). It also delivers typically strong performance, especially if you opt for the AMG GLE63 S. The high-performance variant features a hybrid-assisted twin-turbocharged V-8 that pumps out over 600 horses and will push the vehicle to a top speed of 174 mph.

In production since: 1997
Top powertrain option: Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 with hybrid assist (AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC+)
Power: 603 horsepower and 627 ft lbs (850 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 174 mph (280 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 278,325

The second-generation Volvo XC90 is getting a bit long in the tooth having debuted in 2015, but it’s not hard to see why the Swedish automaker isn’t in a rush to change things up. The XC90 offers everything you could want from a midsize SUV, including a sharp exterior, comfortable interior, and 85.7 cubic feet of cargo room. It also comes with three different powertrain options, the most potent of which is a plug-in hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four (found in PHEV) that makes over 450 hp. Whatever you want from an SUV, the XC90 can do it.

In production since: 2002
Top powertrain option: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with a plug-in hybrid system (PHEV)
Power: 455 horsepower and 523 ft lbs (710 Nm) of torque
0 to 97 km/h: 5.8 seconds
Top speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)
Starting Price: RM 258,300

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Porsche

Acura

BMW

Cadillac

Genesis

Infiniti

Land Rover

Lexus

Mercedes-Benz

Volvo

Photography by various automakers

Previously published on Robb Report USA