Top 10 Most Powerful Crossovers and SUVs of 2018

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While most crossovers and SUVs are designed to haul around families in comfort, some are serious high-performance machines.

Believe it or not, there are at least 10 models available in today’s market boasting 550 horsepower or more. So if you’re having to shop for a crossover or SUV and want to have a bit of fun while behind the wheel, this list is a good place to start.

Here are the top 10 most powerful crossovers and SUVs of 2018.

10. BMW X5 M / X6 M

BMW was one of the first German automakers to embrace high-performance crossovers and SUVs, expanding its lineup to include “sports activity vehicles” that were essentially SUVs with coupe-like styling. The X5 M and X6 M, for now, sit at the top of the pile sporting a 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine providing 567 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

9. Rolls-Royce Cullinan

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the latest addition to the growing segment of high-end luxury SUVs and it’s powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine generating 570 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Unlike other offerings on the list, however, the Cullinan places a much bigger emphasis on luxury inside the cabin.

ALSO SEE: Rolls-Royce Cullinan Debuts

8. Range Rover Sport SVR

Jaguar Land Rover‘s Special Vehicle Operations division has been hard at work enhancing the British automaker’s lineups. The Range Rover Sport got the SVR treatment, giving the SUV a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine with 575 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

7. Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S / GLS63

Mercedes-AMG likes using its 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine in a couple applications, with both the GLE63 S and GLS63 sporting 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. The GLE63 S is also available as a “coupe” with sportier styling, similar to the BMW X6 M.

6. Maserati Levante Trofeo

Even Maserati‘s parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), has admitted the Levante’s launch has been rough. Recently, the Italian automaker revealed the Trofeo model, powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 590 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. It will be interesting to see if the high-performance variant helps bolster sales.

5. Bentley Bentayga

When the Bentley Bentayga initially debuted in 2015, the automaker was boasting about how powerful it was. At the time, it was the most powerful, fastest, and most expensive SUV in the world, but how quickly things have changed in less than three years. The Bentayga now ranks fifth in the market in terms of power, with its 6.0-liter W12 engine sporting 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

4. Tesla Model X P100D

An all-electric SUV that’s powerful? Unless you don’t pay any attention to cars, you’ve probably heard of the Tesla Model X before. While it is leading the charge for all-electric SUVs, the Model X P100D is also one of the most powerful. The electric motors combined with the 100 kWh battery is good for 603 hp and 713 lb-ft of torque, and it’s quick.

3. Mercedes-AMG G65

Sitting at the top of Mercedes-AMG’s SUV mountain is the timeless G-Wagen with the G65 model sporting a 6.0-liter biturbo V12 engine with 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Combined with its off-road prowess, it’s clear to see why the G65 is considered peerless in today’s market.

2. Lamborghini Urus

There was a time no one believed Lamborghini would ever make an SUV, but here we are. Introduced earlier this year, the Urus claims to carry Lamborghini‘s sports car DNA thanks to a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine with 650 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. And to think Ferrari is next up with its own take on a high-riding sports car that comfortably seats five.

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

The most powerful SUV available today doesn’t come from Germany or Italy. Naturally, it comes from America, where horsepower reigns supreme. Borrowing from the potent Hellcat models, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine throws down 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque to claim the current title of most powerful SUV. Something tells us that won’t last very long.

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