Over the years, the SUV has taken over the motoring industry. Brands that once pledged never to make a high-riding off-roader are now selling them in their thousands. As an example, Lamborghini has had its greatest sales year ever, courtesy of demand for its Urus super SUV.
At AutoAdvisor, we love the myriad pros that come with driving a luxury SUV. We’ve compiled a list of five examples that definitely deserve your attention in 2022, should you plan to buy such a vehicle.
Audi Q8
Blessed with incredible looks, one of the best interiors ever and superb performance, Audi’s latest luxury SUV is a very special car. The Q8 looks aggressive and subtle at the same time, exuding a restrained presence that is unmatched by competitors. The interior is blessed with the final materials this side of a Bentley, with leather, brushed aluminium, and Alcantara covering the plush innards.
To drive, it’s phenomenal. No matter which model you go for, they all ride with the greatest comfort and assurance. The most affordable model is the petrol-powered 55 TFSI quattro, at R1 622 500, but we’d opt for the 45 TDI at around R22 000 more. Its economical 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel is creamy smooth and offers plenty of performance with 183 kW and 600 Nm of torque on tap. Craving even more? Consider the SQ8 or phenomenal RSQ8. But they will cost you, priced at R1 848 500 and R2 437 500, respectively.
Looking to buy an Audi Q8? Click here.
Jaguar I-Pace
This futuristic-looking Jaguar is an incredible machine. With 294 kW and a whopping 696 Nm of torque, 0-100 km/h is achieved in just 4.8 seconds. Impressive, for a machine weighing over two tonnes. But with all that power and weight, you can imagine the I-Pace drinks fuel at an excessive rate. But it drinks zero fuel - Jaguar’s rapid luxury SUV is fully electric.
At just under R2 million, the I-Pace offers you the refinement, speed, and performance of a Jaguar with none of the fuel costs. Being a Jaguar, it rides exceptionally well, ironing out the bumps and potholes as if they weren’t there. The interior seals the deal, though. The leather-lined cabin is spacious and full of the latest technology, with a great deal of them being standard. Of course, for those missing the noise of a V8-powered performance car, the F-Pace SVR might be right up your alley.
Looking to buy a Jaguar I-Pace? Click here.
Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport has been around for quite some time but, despite this, shows no age of conceding to its rivals - it’s still immensely talented. The large body conceals superb engines and plenty of luxury. What’s more, there’s something for everyone. From a turbodiesel V6, straight-six turbopetrol, four-cylinder hybrid, and supercharged V8, the range caters to all customers.
One thing they all have in common is the luxurious interior. It’s a great place to be, with plush materials and easy-to-use technology. The driving position deserves to be praised, with a loft seating arrangement that makes you feel like you own the road. The ride is smooth, particularly on models fitted with smaller wheels, and always remains composed and refined. While the TDV6 makes the most sense, we’d go for the R2 733 662 Sport SVR, which has one of the best-sounding V8’s ever made.
Looking to buy a Range Rover Sport? Click here.
Toyota Land Cruiser
If you need to head into the heart of Africa, there’s only one car for you. It’s been around for centuries, but the Land Cruiser shows no signs of slowing down. The big brute is perhaps one of the best off-roaders in the world, combining the finest luxury with unstoppable bundu-bashing capabilities.
The latest model is available with two engine options. Firstly, a petrol-powered 3.5-litre V6 with 305 kW and 650 Nm of torque. The more sensible option is the 3.3-litre turbodiesel V6, which offers less power (225 kW) but more torque (700 Nm). We’d opt for the ZX trim level, powered by the turbodiesel motor, at R1 765 500. The styling is even better than before, appearing tough but still looking suitably upmarket.
Looking to buy a Toyota Land Cruiser 300? Click here.
Volkswagen Touareg
When VW unveiled its first-generation Touareg in the early 2000s, consumers were shocked at the idea of paying BMW money for a VW. But, as it turns out, the Touareg turned out to be a superb luxury SUV. Now in its third-generation, the Touareg is better than ever. The striking styling, aided by the large grille and stunning LED headlamps, gives it a great presence.
Inside, buttons are gone and replaced by a more fashionable and better-looking touchscreen, which is intuitive and extremely easy to navigate. The turbodiesel V6 is the same one used in the Q8 45 TDI, and offers the same superb levels of economy and refinement. It offers exceptional value in this class, the entry-level (if you can call it that) model retailing for R1 279 700. It’s definitely the thinking man’s luxury SUV.
Looking to buy a Volkswagen Touareg? Click here.
