Best Performance SUVs of 2022

SUVs aren't just for family fun and massive amounts of storage, they're also packin strength like no other. Check out the best performance SUVS that crank out the most power.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
SUVs
are known for their versatility, convenience, and major family vibes. But what about the ones with insane horsepower and a sick transmission built for the track?
Jerry
, the
car ownership super app
, checks out the best performance SUVs you’ll want to release from their cage. 

Best performance SUVs that pack a punch

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is inspired by the many muscle cars that came before it and is downright fun to drive. With massive interior display screens and exciting performance, the Mach-E GT offers 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque. 
The SUV also offers an incredible 260-mile range, with a combined MPGe of 84. Though it only has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, you can still expect the asking price to start close to $70,000.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR is a gorgeous Jag with a 5.0-liter tank and 575 hp with 516 lb-ft of torque. It can also sprint to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds along with conquering a top speed of 176 mph. 
The Jaguar F-type SVR sports car also shares the same specs, but you’ll find the Sport SVR starts much cheaper at around $115,000 and offers much more performance.
Though the Maserati Levante Trofeo isn’t quite the Ferrari crossover we’ve been waiting for or the most powerful SUV we’ve seen from Italy, it still impresses us nonetheless. In fact, the Maserati SUV offers us two options packing a lot of power. 
The Levante GTS offers 550 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, while the Levante Trofeo has 590 hp. They both feature a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. When tested, the GTS jumped to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, but the Trofeo showed off with a 3.5.
The Mercedes-AMG GLS63 S is a seven-seater powered by 603 horses. Under the hood, you’ll find a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. With 23-inch wheels, the AMG can hit 60 mph in a mere 3.6 seconds.
And just like the GLE63 S, “the V-8 features the brand's EQ Boost starter-generator system, and its two turbochargers are positioned inside the cylinder "V." Its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is also history, replaced with a nine-speed unit,”
Car and Driver
tells us. 
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

Best performance SUVs with class

The BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition are excellent representatives of the brand’s M Division. The regular models (BMW X5 M and X6 M) for these SUVs get their power from a twin-turbo V8 engine that pumps out 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. 
But these Competition speedsters crank out 617 hp with a 4.4-liter eight-speed automatic transmission. The SUVs can reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. 
The classy Bentley Bentaygais not cheap, with a starting price tag of over $250,000. The 12-cylinder SUV features a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, the Bentayga can easily reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. 
With the Bentley Bentayga Speed, the engine gets its power from 626 hp but takes 3.8 seconds to hit 60 mph. However, it does put its top speed at an impressive 190 mph. 
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the sexy Lamborghini Urus. The Urus is “Lamborghini's first SUV since the Countach-powered LM002 of the 1980s is also Italy's most powerful,” according to Car and Driver. 
The only Lambo with less than 10 cylinders, the Urus sports a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine with 641 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Urus only requires 3.1 seconds to sprint to 60 mph and boasts a top speed of 190 mph.

Try to outperform these SUVs

Beating out the Cayenne Turbo, the slick Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with 670 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. If you opt for the Sport Chrono Package, you’ll reach 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. 
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has been around since 2018 and was the most powerful SUV at the time. It’s also a bit more affordable than its competition, with a starting price of $89,940. 
The Trackhawk features a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers get to enjoy a monstrous 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 1280 mph. And in just 3.4 seconds, the Trackhawk can reach 60 mph. 
Make way for the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat that cranks out 710 hp. With the same underpinnings as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Charger sedan, and Challenger coupe, the Durango SRT has a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine with 475 hp.
The Hellcat on the other hand has a supercharged V8, and its torque stacks up to the same amount found in nine Mitsubishi Mirages. And in 3.6 seconds it can accelerate to 60 mph and tow about 8,700 pounds—just not necessarily at the same time.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings