The best Sports Utility Vehicles on the market today
Over the last 100 years, Sports utility vehicles have gone from being used in the rugged wilderness to being used solely as family vehicles to be used as status symbols. The following are what I believe to be the best SUVs on the market today.
The best family oriented SUVs:
1) The Volvo XC90:
This SUV has been favoured by families every since it was launched in 2002. It has gone through various facelifts and iterations each one always better than the rest. It's 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating, and 7 seater configuration are what have made it very popular families. The fact that it offers so many amenities at a very reasonable price doesn't hurt either. The boot is large enough to fit in all the dogs in the world to take to the park, and the seats will suit even the most well-fed young tots in extreme comfort. Starting price £50,725
2) The Mercedes-Benz GLS:
The GLS is a large box on wheels perfect for large families in need of backpacks and soccer kits to and fro the suburbs with a maximum of 2,400 litres with the seats folded down. It carries a certain sense of luxury with the brand name, dressed in Nappa leather and Alcantara this is undoubtedly the most luxurious family SUV on my list. It's very angular and boxy exterior are sure to turn heads. Perfect for a road trip to the country with ham and cheese sandwiches a plenty this SUV has a dizzying array of options to add. These including a rear entertainment system that will keep the kids occupied while mum gossips with a friend via Bluetooth as not to let her attention stray from the road. Starting price £73,540
3) The Land Rover Discovery:
This SUV has been a favourite of outdoorsy families since 1989. Its rugged exterior, terrain response two and wade sensing make it one of the best of roaders. Its seven-seater configuration is what makes it far more popular with the so-called 'soccer mom' crowd. The premium materials used in its spacious interior make it completely kid-proof. It's massive boot space along with ample interior storage such as cubbies and cup holders make it very practical for daily usage. The fuel-efficient and speedy engine choices include a 2.0 litre diesel producing 240 horsepower and a 3.0 litre diesel producing 306 horsepower. Starting at £46,110
The Best Luxury SUVs:
1) The Tesla model X:
Tesla's first SUV was a shocker when it released with its startling exterior and gullwing doors that excite the 12-year-old inside everyone. It's seven seats are covered in the softest leather and are comfortable enough for even the longest of journeys. People are typically left shocked after they see it launch waiting for rumbling engine note but only hearing the tire noise due to its revolutionary electric motor. But the biggest attraction is the massive screen in the middle of the dashboard that controls every part of the car. Its specifications range from the standard P70 to the P100D that can be fitted with ludicrous mode that gives a 0-60 time of 2.7 seconds... IN A 2.5 TON CAR! Starting price £83,700
2) The BMW X7:
The newly released BMW X7 is one of the most luxurious SUV BMW has ever made. It's the SUV counterpart to the seven series. It has a very boxy and angular exterior keeping in trend with today's fascination with boxy cars. The car is covered from head to toe in tactile leathers, woods, metals and plastics. It comes as standard with a huge touch screen display and gesture controls. It has many interior storage spaces and wireless charging as standard. The optional specifications range from massage seats to temperature controlled cupholders. Starting Price £70,130
3) The Rolls-Royce Cullinan:
The very first SUV created by the luxury automaker is the true definition of a gentlemen's SUV. There is very little to say of this beast as it isn't comparable to the likes of another car but to a Gulfstream G650. Bathed in buttery leathers and beautifully aged wood this is the epitome of large luxury. The V12 engine is what keep this massive thing moving and that too at a rather quick speed while looking wholly effortless and giving off only the slightest whirring. Starting Price £250,000
The Best Speed-Freak SUVs:
1) The Lamborghini Urus:
The very highly anticipated SUV by the brand synonymous with speed was definitely worth the wait. It's looks scream Lamborghini, and its roar establishes it. The car produces 640 horsepower from its 4.0 litre V8 and tops out at 190mph. Its sumptuous interior can seat five comfortably with space in the back for two suitcases—the perfect car for anyone who likes to zip around making a statement. Starting price £160,000
2) BMW X5 M:
The fast performance-based version of the German SUV is one of the most popular cars in this category. The twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine is sure to get you from the soccer field to private school in no time at all and is equally comfortable on an autobahn doing 150mph. The BMW standard is undoubtedly visible in its superior build quality and interior design. It carries BMW's requisite iDrive infotainment system, which is one of the best on the market. It's sport seats help bolster you into the car as it thrusts off at an immense speed. It has a vast array of options you can choose from that can help it be even faster and massage you as you race across motorways. Starting price £90,000
The new GLE tuned by the fiery pit buried deep inside Mercedes-Benz: AMG, belts out 585 horsepower that gets it from 0 - 60 in 4.2 seconds. This monster is easily recognised by the rumble produced from its 5.5 litre Biturbo V8. Covered from head to toe in soft-touch materials, it's undoubtedly one of the most comfortable rockets with space in the back for the kids and dogs. Its new coupe-like exterior is something that has undoubtedly been copied by other brands. The multiple cameras in convenient locations around the car help to park this massive behemoth into even the tightest parking spots outside Harrods. Starting price £102,000
The 16 year-old’s dream
Cars have always been a massive part of my life; for me, they've never been just four wheels and some seats that get me from point A to point B.
Getting their license is one thing every child dreams of, along with that comes the car they want and every past, current or future driver will always want a sports car, perhaps to make them reminisce on their youth, make them feel alive or celebrate their coming of age.
The following are cars that everyone dreams of getting the day they get their licenses.
1) The Porsche 911
This car has been around since 1963 and is perhaps the most pedigreed and iconic vehicle on this list. Its classic curves and rear engine give everyone of every age a twinge of excitement.
While some may say that it has hardly changed in the last 56 years, I say that the people at Porsche have spent the last half-century tweaking and perfecting the 911 turning it into the masterpiece it is today. The current range goes from the 911 Carrera priced at just shy of a hundred thousand pounds to the 911 speedster at just over two hundred and ten thousand pounds.
2) The Mercedes-AMG GT
The successor to the highly praised Mercedes-Benz SLS had enormous shoes to fill. But it managed to impress even the biggest SLS lovers like television presenter Jeremy Clarkson with Clarkson also stating "Of all the vehicles in this bit of the market, it'd almost certainly be my choice."
I personally loved the way the SLS looked in particular and it's successor most certainly did not disappoint in that department . It's elegant good looks, and grown-up engine and driving capabilities ooze understated luxury.
3) The Audi R8
When Audi announced that they were making a sports car, most petrol heads were left quite dumbfounded. Everyone expected a heavy front-engined sports car with tons of understeer. But what we were left with was something completely different—a mid-engined, aerodynamically tremendous shocker.
For those of us born between 1995 and 2005, the R8 will always be Iron Man's car. It's distinctive V10's rumbling note will send shivers down the spine of every car fanatic. It broke vehicular records by being a reliable, well priced and phenomenal looking sports car. It's low centre of gravity and 30-70 distributed all-wheel-drive Quattro system helps keep it firmly planted, which is why it will always be one of the fastest cars right off the bat and around curves.
4) The Lamborghini Huracán
The successor to the highly praised Lamborghini Gallardo. The cars looks were critiqued by many as not being radical enough, but I think it is perfect looking. I think of it as the everyday Lamborghini. Its V10 rumble screams the 600 odd horsepower that this beast is home to.
It's perfectly comfortable going around Knightsbridge at 14 mph and going around a straight at Monza going 180 mph. It's perhaps one of the most versatile sports cars on sale today that carries the cache of the glorious Lamborghini badge.
5) The McLaren 570S
The sports car created by McLarens Legendary formula 1 team is as good to look at is it is as good to drive. It's quick and nimble but carries itself with über cool mannerisms.
The aerodynamics of the car work to keep it firmly planted on the ground. That paired with its near-perfect weight distribution help to create excellent handling. The value for money of the car is one of the reasons it's one of McLarens best selling vehicles.
