Best luxury SUVs 2024 – and the ones to avoid (2024)

0-62mph: 5.9 sec

MPG/range: 36.2mpg

CO2 emissions: 205g/km

Seats: 7

Boot: 750 litres

Insurance group: 50E

The only thing bigger than the X7’s gigantic front grille is the car itself, so if you’ve got a big budget and a big family, it should definitely be on your shortlist.

As a bonus, the interior is as luxurious as it is sturdy, and refinement is so impressive that someone in the third row can have a conversation with those up front without raising their voice.

The way it drives is also surprising. For a car that’s so big, the X7 handles and feels like something smaller, making it easy to place on the road. Our favourite engine, the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel in the xDrive40d, provides strong performance and surprisingly good fuel economy, too.

Read our BMW X7 review

0-62mph: 6.1 sec

MPG/range: 38.9mpg

CO2 emissions: 191g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 647 litres

Insurance group: 48E

Land Rover knows a thing or two about building luxurious SUVs, and the Range Rover Sport is a prime example of the firm’s expertise.

Like the full-size Range Rover, you get a high driving position that gives you a great view of the road. And yet, the centre console is raised to give it a slightly sportier feel. The ride is also smooth and supple, making it the ideal companion for longjourneys.

Our favourite version is the entry-level engine, the D300 diesel, because it blends impressively punchy performance with silken refinement

In short, the Range Rover Sport is its bigger brother’s worst enemy, because it offers much of the same but for less money.

Read our Range Rover Sport review

The Audi Q7 is an incredible all-rounder, offering composed driving dynamics and plenty of space for seven occupants.

Its strongest suit of all is comfort; the suspension soaks up impacts from speed bumps and other road imperfections with aplomb and demolishes long journeys like a private jet. The Q7 also takes on corners very well, and feels agile for its size.

The interior quality only adds to the sense of comfort you get while driving, with plenty of soft-touch materials, glossy black veneers and smart brushed metal trims used throughout. We also like the fact that there’s plenty of technology on board, but the Q7’s touchscreen infotainment system can be fiddly to use while driving.

Read our Audi Q7 review

0-62mph: 6.8 sec

MPG/range: 35.1mpg

CO2 emissions: 211g/km

Seats: 7

Boot: 172 litres

Insurance group: 42E

Much like its predecessor, the latest Discovery is a big SUV that feels equally at home both on road and off it. However, today's car is much classier inside and better to drive. It's even pretty good value for money compared with rivals such as the Audi Q7 and BMW X7.

Following an update, the Discovery has a range of new engines. Our favourite is the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel unit you get with the D300. It pulls the big 7-seat SUV along effortlessly, and is very smooth and quiet under acceleration.

Like the other Land Rover and Range Rover models on this list, reliability isa weak point.

Read our Land Rover Discovery review

0-62mph: 6.3 sec

MPG/range: 38.2mpg

CO2 emissions: 194g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 1093 litres

Insurance group: 50E

The Range Rover is one of the founding fathers of the luxury SUV class, and today it remains the go-to choice for many.

Why is that? Well, the Range Rover has a presence few other luxury cars can match. It’s stylish both inside and out, plus it’s incredibly comfortable to drive. That’s largely thanks to its cosseting air suspension and whisper-quiet interior.

There is a catch, though, because you do have to pay a premium for the Range Rover. Rivals such as theBMW X7 and Audi Q7 arecheaper, and both come with seven seats as standard. If you want seven seats in the Range Rover, you have to add them as an optional extra on the LWB (long wheel-base)version.

Read our Range Roverreview

It may have divisive looks, but the BMW iX is a hugely impressive electric SUV. It’s luxurious, quick and incredibly quiet on the move.

Our favourite version is the xDrive50 model. It uses two electric motors and a 108.8kWh (usable) battery that gives it an official range of 382 miles. That’s farther than the Audi Q8 e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace can manage.

The interior is the real party piece of the iX, though. It has a minimalist look, a user-friendly infotainment system and plush materials. However, even though there's plenty of space for passengers, the boot is on the small side for such a big SUV.

Read our BMW iX review

0-62mph: 4.5 sec

MPG/range: 21.7mpg

CO2 emissions: 294g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 484 litres

Insurance group: N

The Bentley Bentayga was the firm's fastest-selling car when it first went on sale, and it's not hard to see why.

It has the same sense of occasion as any other Bentley, with a beautiful interior and a great infotainment system. Performance is effortless, and our favourite version, the V8 S, offers a more engaging drive– even if there's a little more road noise.

Despite its considerable size, the Bentagya offers great visibility, aided by a range of cameras. Those dimensions mean there's huge space inside, and while seven seats come as standardyou can also choose a seven seat layout, or even a four seat configuration with throne-like rear seats forthose seeking ultimate luxury.

Read our Bentley Bentagyareview

0-62mph: 7.8 sec

MPG/range: 43.7mpg

CO2 emissions: 169g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 552 litres

Insurance group: 36E

The Range Rover Velar is a stylish, refined and seriously appealing luxury SUV. It’s slightly smaller than its Range Roverand Range Rover Sport siblings, but as a result it feels more nimble to drive.

All models aregenerously equipped, with the entry-level S trim giving you luxuries such as 14-way powered front seats, a Meridian stereo and a powered tailgate. The 2.0-litre diesel engine you get with the D200 model also provides a good balance of performance and economy.

Overall, we think the Velar makes the most sense with cheaper engines and trims, because otherwise the price can creep up to a level similarto rivals such as the Audi Q7, which is muchmore practicaland spacious.

Read our Range Rover Velar review

0-62mph: 5.6 sec

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 569 litres

Insurance group: 49E

It may have a larger number in its name, but the Audi Q8 is actually slightly smaller than the Audi Q7.

The reason for that is because it’s designed to be a sleeker, more desirable alternative for buyers who don’t need seven seats. The downside? You do have to pay more for its sharper looks – despite the reduced practicality. Even so, the Q8 is more practical than the BMW X6.

Being closely related to the Q7 means the Q8 has many of the same benefits. For instance, it has the same classy interior and similarly impressive build quality. The 50 TDI diesel is our favourite engine, and it provides effortless performance while keeping running costs down.

Read our Audi Q8 review

Yes, you could buy a property for the same money, but would your three-bedroom house come with lambswool mats as standard? For the best of the best interiors, the Cullinan swats away its rivals with lashings of leather, wood and solid metal finishes.

It’s not only the Cullinan’s interior that impresses. Considering its size, the Cullinan provides effortless performance from its mighty V12 engine. Indeed, this 2.6-tonne SUV can go from 0-62mph in just 5.2sec. And yet, it’s quiet, smooth and refined.

So, if you can afford it, the Cullinan makes a brilliant choice. But, the enormous list price and expensive running costsdorestrict its position on this list.

Read our Rolls-Royce Cullinan review

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