The Best Luxury SUVs To Buy

Of the many different types of vehicles you’ll find on the road and for sale, the crossover SUV is one of the most popular. These cars are extremely practical, with spacious cabins and large, easily accessible cargo holds, but they are also remarkably safe and comfortable.

From small to large, they are all quite sturdy in their construction, and while their height can be a rollover hazard, it gives the driver a good view of the road that instills them with greater confidence.

Bearing in mind their popularity, it makes sense that there are many SUVs that fall into the luxury segment. The affirming driving position and plush ride that come with the body style perfectly complement these more elegant models, but there are usually some sacrifices made in the name of style and opulence beyond just a higher price tag. These are some of the best luxury SUVs that offer the best value for the extra investment.

Cadillac Lyriq

The Lyriq is not only an eminently capable and well-appointed sports utility vehicle; it is also one of the best luxury EV SUV models in the world. Cadillac may have lost its way in the past, resorting to cutting corners to keep its attractive pricing but failing to live up to the quality standards of other luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi, but those days have passed. The latest generation of the Escalade proved as much, and the Lyriq is following in its big brother’s footsteps.

Available with a single- to dual-motor powertrain, the SUV can deliver p to 500 horsepower while still traveling a respectable 312 miles between recharges. This won’t compare to some of the Teslas out there, but Tesla isn’t a luxury brand, no matter how hard it tries to appear as such. In fact, the Model Y is the closest comparison to the Lyriq, and it is a poor competitor. The Caddy is far more luxurious and has more space, all while remaining the cheaper option.

Mercedes-AMG GLE-Class

If you’d rather stick with a traditional gas-powered vehicle, then the Merc GLE is one of the top midsize luxury SUVs, especially in its AMG guise. This handsome high-rider has all the style and elegance you’d expect from the German brand as well as a potent powertrain under the hood courtesy of the AMG division.

With 429 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, as well as some assistance from the mild-hybrid EQ Boost system, the car can hustle from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Sure, there are faster models out therefrom the likes of BMW and Porsche, but where the Mercedes may fall short in sheer performance, it more than makes up for it in opulence.

The interior of the AMG GLE-Class is truly resplendent, with top-notch materials, masterful construction, and oodles of style. Of course, as an AMG model, there is also a certain element of sportiness, but rather than overpower as it would in a BMW, it enhances the stately appeal. So long as you’re willing to spend for some of the extras, it has a fantastic safety suite, too.

Genesis GV80

There are certain names you expect to see on any list of luxury cars, and Genesis isn’t one of them. However, it should be and, in time, that will hopefully be the case. Like so many recent additions to the luxury market, the Genesis brand was birthed from the humble origins of an economy automaker. In this case, it was Hyundai than decided to dip its toes into the premium segment, and instead of a ripple, it made a splash.

Like the flagship sedan on which it is modeled, the GV80 is the largest SUV from Genesis. This means it has a fair amount of room to work with in the cabin, which is why you can opt for a five- or seven-seat layout. Of course, the former is the way to go if you want to optimize comfort, but it’s nice to have extra options.

But where the GV80 really shines is in its standard tech offering, especially the safety suite. Many of the features that come included are ones you’d normally have to spend extra for with other brands. The fact that it comes in cheaper or on par with said rivals is also a plus.

Honorable Mentions

There are, of course, many other great luxury SUVs to choose from, and while these three stay out for a variety of reasons, one could argue that any of these honorable mentions are just as worthy of your attention. They include the:

■ Cadillac Escalade

■ Volvo XC40

■ BMW Alpina XB7

■ Ford Mustang Mach-E

■ Lexus NX

■ Land Rover Range Rover

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