Aston Martin enlisted the help of Mercedes-AMG to design its first entry into the lucrative SUV segment. While the DBX fits right in with the rest of the firm’s range, it’s powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 developed by AMG and tweaked by Aston Martin. It develops 550 hp in its standard state of tune, though executives have repeated hinted more powerful variants are in the pipeline.
Audi RS Q8 (599 hp)
The Q8 isn’t Audi’s biggest SUV, that honour goes to the Q7, but it’s certainly not a compact. And yet, a 599 hp twin-turbocharged V8 pelts it from 0-60mph in 3.8sec, a figure normally associated with low-slung two-door models like, say, Audi’s own TT. In 2019, shortly before it made its official debut, the RS Q8 smashed the SUV lap record on Germany’s Nürburgring track by posting a time of 7min 42.2sec.
Alpina XB7 (622 hp)
Alpina followed BMW’s move into the SUV segment with impressive results. Based on the mammoth X7, the XB7 offers drivers a more powerful evolution of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that exhales through a model-specific exhaust system. The extra power is complemented by visual tweaks that remain reasonably low-key while immediately identifying the XB7 as a member of the Alpina portfolio.
BMW X5 M/X6 M (626 hp)
BMW objects to the term sport utility vehicle (SUV); it prefers Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV), a designation it coined to market the original X5. Regardless, its most powerful high-riding models are the Competition variants of the X5 M and the X6 M (pictured). Built on the same platform, they’re nearly identical underneath the sheet metal but one follows function while the other puts a bigger emphasis on form.
In non-Competition trim, the M’s 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 is rated at 599 hp.
Bentley Bentayga Speed (635 hp)
Bentley’s spin on the concept of a high-power people-hauler is unique in that it relies on a mighty 6.0-liter W12 engine for power. Most of the other SUVs in our round-up are powered by a V8. Its top speed is pegged at 190mph but it wasn’t designed solely to drive flat-out in a straight line. An earlier variant of the Bentayga Speed claimed the SUV record at the 2018 edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, completing the course in 10min 49.9sec at an average speed of 66.5mph.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (707 hp)
On paper, Jeep and performance go together about as well as haggis and ice cream. In application, it’s a formula that works surprisingly well. Jeep borrowed the supercharged, 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 from its sister company Dodge and stuffed it in the Grand Cherokee to create the Trackhawk, which stood proud as the most powerful SUV for many years. Tuners like Texas-based Hennessey found ways to extract even more power from the hot-rodded off-roader, though they’re outside the scope of this story.
Jeep still sells the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in 2021, but we suggest acting fast if you want one. Production will end soon, and reports claim the new Grand Cherokee won’t get the Hellcat engine.
Aston Martin DBX707 (707 hp)
Aston claims that this DBX derivative is the world’s most powerful luxury SUV. As we’ll see, we’re not 100% convinced that this is the case, though certainly it’s very near the top of the tree. 29% more power and torque over the standard model brings down the 0-62mph time from 4.5sec to 3.3sec; it will also do 0-100mph in a remarkable 7.4sec – off to a top speed of 193mph. It’s priced in the US from $235,086, roughly $45,000 more than the standard model.
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat (710 hp)
The most powerful production SUV on the market wasn’t trained on the German autobahn or born in Italy’s famed Motor Valley. Built in Detroit, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is related to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk but its supercharged, 6.2-liter V8 gets four additional brake-horsepower to earn the crown. Bigger brakes and an upgraded suspension system are part of the transformation. It was developed with track use in mind, it’s fitted with an upgraded cooling system and the 0-60mph sprint takes 3.5sec, yet it offers motorists a usable 8700lb (3955kg) towing capacity when property equipped.
Dodge will only make the SRT Hellcat for the 2021 model year, and every available build slot was spoken for in about three months. All told, about 2000 units of the king of SUVs will be let loose in America. It costs from $82,490.
Looking ahead: GMC Hummer EV SUV (830 hp)
GMC made headlines when it detailed a 1000 hp variant of the Hummer EV in 2020 but the SUV variant won’t post four-digit horsepower figures. It will make around 830 hp in its most powerful configuration, which is less than the pickup but far from puny. GMC explained the SUV stretches about 20in shorter than the truck so the huge battery needed to achieve a 1000bhp figure won’t fit under the body.
It's important to note these power figures are relative because electric cars are normally much heavier than comparable petrol-powered models. GMC confirmed the Hummer EV will weigh about 9000lb (4090kg). It's heading to the road in the first half of 2022.
Looking ahead: Tesla Model X Plaid (1020 hp)
Tesla will make the three-motor Plaid drivetrain it developed for the Model S available on the Model X. While specifications won’t be finalised until the model enters production, the American company quotes the same 1020 hp output for the X and the S but the former is heavier so its 0-60mph time increases to 2.5sec. It will nonetheless continue to offer Falcon Doors and seating for up to seven passengers. The Super-SUV world is going electric.