Looking for a new drive in 2021? The luxury SUV has become a key component of premium car-makers’ line-ups in recent years, with many of the road’s wealthier drivers prioritising comfort alongside luxury and seeking spacious interiors to suit theirs and their families’ needs as well as an impressive exterior and the kind of power every car enthusiast craves.
These days, the luxury SUV accounts for a healthy share of some of the top players’ global profits, and such is the increase in demand that even esteemed sports car makers such as Porsche have moved in for a slice of the pie.
Offering versatility, comfort, performance and all-round refinement, if you’re shopping for a premium SUV this year then you’ll likely be spoilt for choice – but to help you on the road to success and all-round satisfaction, we’ve rounded up four of the finest.
The Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the best compact SUVs to hit the market of late, and offers a five-seat interior with finely shaped seats, a straightforward infotainment system, and a slew of standard tech and safety features. It’s an enjoyable vehicle to drive on a daily basis and offers adequate cargo room, although there are some improvements to be made in engine performance. Neither of its four-cylinder engine options is exceptionally powerful or fuel-efficient, but nonetheless, they are adequate for daily driving.
A two-row, five-seat SUV that offers plenty of space for families and luggage, there is sufficient leg room even for taller passengers, and with its leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats, comfort is at a maximum.
The Hyundai Tucson is available with two engines – a 161-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a bigger 181-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder. Front-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission are standard, while an all-wheel drive is an option as well.
Range Rover Sport
It’s impossible to deny that Range Rover remains a superior choice to many of the SUVs currently on the market today. Sleek, sophisticated and endlessly spacious, many who drive a Range Rover will struggle to ever give it up – but the good news is that, as the years go by, its offerings only get better and better.
The Range Rover Sport offers a remarkable catalogue of capabilities, including outstanding off-road abilities and excellent on-road handling dynamism.
The latest six-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines have given the latest iteration additional power, and the addition of its D250, D300 and D350 mild-hybrid options have meant that there is now more choice than ever, particularly for the more environmentally conscious driver.
The Audi E-tron Quattro
Just a few years ago, barely an electric car would have featured on this list – but such is the impressive pace of development in the luxury field that, today, several have made the cut. One of the most impressive luxury SUVs that is taking sustainable travel to new heights is Audi’s new E-tron Quattro. Offering just the kind of opulence and quality you’d expect from this esteemed brand, it’s slightly more spacious than the Q5 and its impressive noise suppression makes for a quiet and comfortable ride.
Of course, despite the environmental benefits to driving an electric car, there are still some drawbacks, too. Real-world range works out to somewhere between 200-220 miles, and with a long way to go before the UK has the necessary infrastructure to support the use of this type of car, there are challenges to overcome if you want to make the Quattro your own.
Currently, there are several models to choose from, including the shorter-range, lower-powered E-tron 50, as well as a sleek and sophisticated E-tron Sportsback for extra brownie points.
Porsche Cayenne
Although not quite the driver’s car we have previously known it to be, the latest iteration of the Porsche Cayenne certainly looks the part, and has won itself plenty of respect over the past few years during its journey to where it is today.
The name itself is enough to grab any luxury car lover’s attention; after all, Porsche is an esteemed brand that has a long-held reputation for making some of the best sports cars in the world. Now, though, its success relies partly on the commercial bedrock that is the luxury SUV – having adapted quickly and effortlessly to meet demand and all-but eclipsing some of the original high-end brands that stood in the SUV space before it.
The 2021 Cayenne takes its role as a luxury SUV to lofty new heights, delivering distinguished driver appeal and a refined ride that exudes just the kind of quality we’ve come to expect. The current range includes two rechargeable hybrids, a turbo V6 and a turbo V8 petrol – and there’s even a coupe for those looking for a little extra va-va-voom.
