20 SUVs That Could Easily Outrun a Sports Car

2. Ford Explorer Sport

The car that started the modern SUV craze in America was inarguably the Ford Explorer. After years of the classic body on frame chassis architecture, the new Explorer is a modern unibody car with proper road manners. But isn’t good for going on serious off-road courses. However, the percentage of SUV owners who drive off-road is so small, nobody noticed this downfall. The regular Explorer is a fine example of a modern SUV with lots of space and an up to date design.

For performance lovers, the Explorer Sport model features the famous Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine with 365 HP. Along with suspension and transmission improvements, the Explorer Sport is a capable machine with 0 to 60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. Also, with the base price of below $50,000, it is one of the most affordable SUVs on our list.

3. Audi SQ5

Audi’s mid-size Q5 SUV has enjoyed modest success on the American market. This is mostly due to tough competition and high prices, but the SQ5 is in a class of its own. Simply, it’s because there aren’t many high-performance SUVs now. Also, it is because the SQ5 delivers the perfect blend of performance and practicality.

Under the hood is a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 354 HP delivered to all four wheels over Audi’s famous Quattro AWD system. They paired the intelligent all-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Audi also added a host of electronic traction control systems to create a swift 0 to 60 mph time of 5.1 seconds.

4.Lamborghini LM002

The LM002 falls somewhere between a truck and an SUV since it has four doors and truck bed. This crazy creation debuted in the mid-80’s as Lamborghini’s attempt at entering the world of luxury SUVs to widen their appeal. The LM002 used a special chassis, suspension and Lamborghini’s famous V12 engine. The 5.2-liter engine with 400 HP was the same as in the legendary Countach.

For those buyers who thought that 400 HP was not enough, they could get the LM002 with a 7.3-liter monster V12 engine from a racing boat. They nicknamed the LM002, The Rambo Lambo. This truck was a rugged, desert-going version of the supercars Lamborghini is famous for making. Despite the enormous power and tough looks, the LM002 was hard to drive, had an enormous thirst for fuel and problems with off-road stability.

Also, it was extremely expensive. The Michelin tires, which they still offer exclusively for this model cost $5,000 per tire. However, the crazy LM002 was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which was unheard of in the late 1980’s.

5. BMW X6 M

Some BMW purists don’t consider the X6 M a proper M car since this is an SUV with the engine straight from the BMW M5 Sedan. But with 0 to 60 mph times in just four seconds, the X6 M is 0.1 seconds faster than the renewed M4 coupe. The secret of its exhilarating performance is the 4.4-liter twin turbo with 570 HP and the intelligent X-drive all wheel drive system.

Also, the X6 M is aerodynamic due to its sloping roofline and rear spoiler. Also, it gets to electronically-limited top speeds of 155 mph easily. Also, X6 M handles somewhat better than the competition, thanks to the lower height and center of gravity. This means it can tackle the corners well, too.

6. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Although European machines dominate this fast SUV segment, America has its own contenders. One of those models is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. It combines the classic SUV lines of a Grand Cherokee with the undeniable power of a 6.4-liter Hemi V8.

With 475 HP, it isn’t powerful, but with 4.4 seconds to 60 mph acceleration times, it can hold its own against the competition. On the other hand, the Grand Cherokee SRT costs just above $60,000, so it is affordable compared to those equally fast foreign machines.

7. Range Rover Sport

The Range Rover Sport is a common SUV and one of the first models to introduce the SUV performance to a larger market, especially in America. For years, the Range Rover Sport was the most popular car in the segment. The current generation has impressive sales results, even though it isn’t the fastest or the most powerful car in its class.

The Range Rover Sport uses a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 which pumps out 518 HP. This enormous power is enough to launch this big, heavy vehicle to 5.0 second 0 to 60 mph which is fast enough. But the Range Rover Sport retains some off-road capabilities, while the competitors are all strictly highway machines.

8. Porsche Macan Turbo

The introduction of the Macan meant that Porsche was considering the SUV segment for one of their main markets. The Macan is a mid-sized SUV with a performance-oriented design, drivetrain and technology, making it one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The Macan Turbo has a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine that delivers 400 HP. They mated it to a performance-calibrated seven-speed automatic and intelligent all-wheel drive.

All of that is responsible for its 4.4 second 0 to 60 mph acceleration times. The Macan Turbo can reach 163 mph top speeds. The base price for the Macan Turbo is high at $77,000. This is steep since this is just a mid-size SUV with not that much space. If you want more performance and want to pay $10,000 extra, move up to the Macan Turbo Performance Package with 440 HP and 4.2 second 0 to 60 mph times.

9. Mercedes G63 AMG

Although Mercedes conceived it to be a military vehicle, the G-Class went from a barebones off-road vehicle to a luxury SUV with 563 HP and a 5.5-liter twin turbo V8. Although it has a boxy design, rugged mechanics and stance, everything else is modern and luxurious. With a price of almost $150,000, this is one of the most exclusive Mercedes products.

Despite its 5,000-pound weight, it is one of the fastest among the SUV models. The G63 AMG is capable of jumping from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. That’s not bad for a vehicle that has been in production since 1979.

10. Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Ever since the first Cayenne Turbo appeared in the early 2000’s, the market of quick, luxury SUVs were born. The Porsche with four doors, a raised body and all-wheel drive may have offended a lot of brand purists, but it brought much to the segment like driving dynamics, performance and prestige.

Fast forward 15 years, and there is a new Cayenne Turbo with even more power, faster acceleration and better road holding. The heart of this lightning-quick SUV is the 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 engine that pumps out 550 HP, sending power to the 8-speed automatic and intelligent all-wheel drive. The result is an impressive 3.7 seconds of 0 to 60 mph acceleration time.

11. Bentley Bentayga

The world of luxurious SUVs has a new entry, thanks to Bentley’s powerful, comfortable and expensive Bentayga. The $229,000 premium class SUV has two engine choices. Drivers can choose the 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 542 HP or the 6.0-liter W12 engine with 600 HP. Both engines make this 5,400-pound house on wheels get to 60 mph in four seconds.

The size and the performance of this car are simply mindboggling. The top speed is electronically-limited to 187 mph. But theoretically, on a long enough stretch of road, the Bentayga can reach 200 mph. The performance figures are better suited to a supercar than to a five-passenger luxury SUV. This just shows how the industry has advanced over the years.

12. BMW X5 M

When the first X5 appeared in 1999, it was a big step for BMW. Not only it was their first SUV, it was a fresh look at the SUV class, too. The X5 offered prime driving dynamics and road holding closer to a luxury sedan than to a bulky SUV. Almost 20 years later, BMW has offed the 570 HP X5 M with 4.4-liter of twin turbo V8. It also has a world-class chassis and suspension.

The X5 M is one of the sportier cars in the segment because of its immense power. It also accelerates from 0 to 60 in just 4.1 seconds. However, because BMW engineered it to be a true M Performance car, it has sharp handling and perfect braking. It feels more like an M5 than an X5 SUV, which is a compliment to BMW engineers.

13. Lamborghini Urus

This list has already featured the Lamborghini LM002. But 35 years later, they presented the Urus, another crazy fast, sublimely expensive performance SUV. The Bentley Bentayga and Urus have a lot in common, like the mechanics and chassis architecture. This is because the Lamborghini and Bentley are both owned by Volkswagen.

However, these two models are clearly different in many ways, including the styling, performance and market niche. The Urus is powered by 4.0-liter V8 delivering 641 HP. It is somewhat lower and lighter than the Bentayga, so the Urus reaches 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, topping 190 mph. However, it is pricey at $230,000.

14. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Do you want to drive 180 mph and get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds in an SUV? Perhaps you don’t have $200,000 or more for an exotic car with space for five people and their luggage. Don’t worry, because this is the car for you. Do you remember the Grand Cherokee SRT with 475 HP?

Jeep has introduced an even crazier version with 707 HP, thanks to its supercharged Hemi from the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. In fact, the new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the SUV version of the Challenger Hellcat. It comes with all the important features like the engine and transmission transplanted into the SUV body. Jeep also improved the suspension and braking, but the rest is the same.

The Trackhawk is one of the most capable SUVs on the market. It has 0 to 60 mph acceleration times of just 3.5 seconds. But best of all is the $85,000 price tag. That is a third of the price of the Lamborghini Urus and you get more space and power, too.

15. Audi SQ7

The Q7 luxury SUV is one of the best products Audi sells in America. It looks like the company understood the need for big, fast, comfortable cruisers. In fact, the Q7 is as popular in the U.S., as Europe. However, for performance-oriented buyers, Audi offers the SQ7, a 435 HP powered luxury locomotive on wheels. The SQ7 packs all the possible luxury items along with the mighty 4.0-liter twin turbo V8.

This is the same engine as in the Bentayga or the Urus they detuned to 435 HP. For other Volkswagen brands to get the full potential of this powerful unit, Audi kept the power level down. However, despite a drop in power, the SQ7 is capable enough to land on this list. The 0 to 60 mph time is achievable in just five seconds and the base price is close to $100,000.

16. Mercedes GLC 63 S

There is a strange SUV Mercedes makes that looks a lot like the BMW X6. It is the GLC-Class, a vision of a coupe SUV with an impressive performance portfolio. For European buyers, Mercedes offers the GLC in the AMG version with 510 HP. It isn’t available in America just yet, but those numbers have impressed most U.S. car fans.

The 4.0-liter bi-turbo engine from the AMG GTR delivers 510 HP to all four wheels. This power goes over its intelligent AWD system and nine-speed automatic transmission. The 0 to 60 mph time is 3.7 seconds. Mercedes electronically controls the top speed at 155 mph. With a base price of over $100,000, it is expensive. However, wealthy buyers will most likely line up to buy it.

17. Range Rover Sport SVR

As the defining car of the segment, the Range Rover couldn’t sit still and watch as other cars stole its thunder. So, they introduced the mighty Sport SVR with heavily-supercharged 5.0-liter V8. It also comes with a host of chassis, suspension and braking modifications. With its unique trim details, the SVR is a true performance SUV beast.

They mated the 575 HP engine to an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelling this heavy wagon to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. It has a top speed of 176 mph. This is mighty fast, but not as fast as some of its competitors. If the Range Rover lost a little weight, it would be the fastest SUV ever, since the Sport SVR is more than 5,000-pound vehicle.

18. Dodge Durango SRT

If you need a 4.4 second 0 to 60 mph SUV with 475 HP that carries seven passengers, the Dodge Durango SRT is for you. It is like a small school bus, just in case your kids are late for school and you need to get them there in a hurry. With a 6.4-liter Hemi and 475 HP, this is a pure Dodge muscle car in an SUV package.

In contrast to other SUVs that are mostly useless as real SUVs, the SRT is capable. Not only it is among the biggest of them all, it offers three row seating. The SRT can also carry and tow the biggest loads, which makes it practical and usable. Best of all is the price, as it starts at $64,000.

19. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Until Ferrari makes an SUV, this is the closest thing drivers have in the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It comes with a 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 engine they derived from Ferrari’s turbo V8. This makes the Quadrifoglio the prime example of Italian charm with its brutal power in the SUV class. The new Stelvio is an important model for the factory, especially on the American market.

A true sports car, it is a mid-size SUV, but in Quadrifoglio trim. The turbo V6 delivers 505 HP. And with its 50/50 weight distribution, perfectly tuned suspension, quick gearbox and Brembo brakes, the Stelvio is an SUV missile. The 0 to 60 time is just 3.9 seconds and the top speed is 177 mph. The car will be on sale soon at a base price of over $100,000.

20. Tesla Model X

All the cars on this list are maxed out, luxury SUVs with flashy designs, high price tags and looks straight from a hip-hop video. However, the fastest car on this list isn’t one of them. In fact, it the fastest car on the list that doesn’t have an internal combustion engine. It is the Tesla Model X, a fully electric SUV with some crazy numbers.

The Model X is a family SUV with several unusual features. It is the first fully electric SUV on the market with Gullwing style rear doors. It comes with a futuristic interior and modern styling. The power output is notable, too.

In its most powerful Model X P100D version, it delivers 259 HP on the front and 503 HP on the rear axle. Translated to sheer performance, the Model X P100D goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. This means you can smoke a Ferrari 488 with your Tesla, at least at the stop light. The price for this technological marvel is equally amazing at $130,000.

These are the top 20 SUVs that could easily outrun a sports car with their impressive performance numbers. Some are purely for the road while others can go off-road with ease. Either way, they can win those stoplight races any day of the week.