These Are Your Favorite Performance SUVs – Jalopnik

Earlier this week, spurred by attending the primary drive occasion for the completely superior 2026 Aston Martin DBX S, I requested our beautiful Jalopnik readership to inform me about their favourite efficiency SUVs. While there have been some annoying feedback about why efficiency SUVs are silly (they are not), fortunately sufficient of you had glorious solutions throughout a large spectrum of efficiency SUVs.

My instance choose was among the many most evident of selections, the unique Porsche Cayenne, a sentiment echoed by just a few of you. It actually paved the best way for efficiency SUVs as we all know them immediately, and actually luxurious SUVs typically, however one other widespread reply was the Lamborghini LM002, a employees favourite automobile right here at Jalopnik. Brock Yates predicted the rise of the super-SUV in his authentic Car and Driver overview, and when our personal Andy Kalmowitz drove an ideal instance earlier this yr, he stated it was equal components horrible and unimaginable. Without additional ado, these are the Jalopnik viewers’s favourite efficiency SUVs.

Lamborghini LM002.

Sure, there are higher SUVs, higher efficiency vehicles, and higher efficiency SUVs, however a efficiency SUV is form of a fish using a bicycle already. But the LM002 is simply bananas. An Italian model of the Humvee slathered in leather-based and 80’s grocery store gewgaws.

So when you’re going with a nutty idea, you could as nicely get the nuttiest model.

Even nuttier is that Lamborghini initially meant for it to be a navy automobile (the Cheetah).

Submitted by: Stillnotatony, Featherlite

My favourite LM002 is the one initially owned by Tina Turner, who swapped within the V8 and automated transmission from a Mercedes 500E.

A cop-out, however I’d should say it is the one I have already got!

• 6-speed guide w/ AWD
• Easy to work on
• Made in 2015; good security rankings
• ~3,500 lbs
• Plenty of room for hauling stuff; can tow small trailers in a pinch
• Never will get caught in snow, nice at pulling others out
• MacGyver’d on a Toyota Previa supercharger, which clutches on when flooring it

Probably will not get replaced till EVs are the norm.

Submitted by: avrus96

Hell yeah, dude.

My spouse’s 2017 Forester XT. I discovered myself subsequent to her at a light-weight, and he or she obtained the soar on me…outran my GTI. And it averages near 30mpg. And it value lower than 30k. Maybe there are higher ones on the market, however that is the purpose of diminishing returns.

Submitted by: dug_deep

There has ever solely been 1 efficiency “SUV” that I’ve even thought of, and that’s the GLA 45 AMG. 380hp and about 3500lbs, I do not assume there’s some other make that tried an SUV with related traits.

But if we’re being trustworthy, that is as a lot an SUV because the CLS is a “coupe”. This factor is a sizzling hatch with a bit extra floor clearance. Still as somebody who has gone via the difficulty of stuffing children into automotive seats within the again, I can positively see the attraction.

I adore it as a result of it is the least SUV of any SUV I’ve ever seen. Change to smaller wheels and A/T tires and it is principally a CLA45 rally/safari.

Submitted by: Atomic2, jihad joe

The GLA45 freakin’ guidelines, particularly the second-gen mannequin. That’s one in all my favourite powertrains on sale.

The BMW E53 X5 4.8is has explicit attraction. It’s not quicker than its friends but it surely appears to have that glorious mix of traits inherent in most turn-of-the-century BMWs. Bonus factors for the 4.8 within the badge truly matching the engine displacement!

Something in regards to the proportions of the first gen X5, particularly the M-Sport model, at all times appealed to me. It regarded superior as a soccer-mom-mobile with MASSIVE wheels and tires. The 1st Gen AMG M35 had an analogous look: small physique, huge wheels. As these SUVs obtained bigger and bigger, the wheels do not stand out as a lot.

Submitted by: Stephen., DTEL77

When I used to be a few month away from shifting to LA, there was a 4.8is on the market with a stage 2 Dinan equipment, multipiece HRE wheels, and the BMW manufacturing unit widebody equipment, which I’ve by no means seen in individual. I could not swing shopping for a automotive earlier than I had discovered an residence, and by the point I had made it to town it had been bought. The one which obtained away for positive.

Saab 9-7x with the 6.0 V8

Agreed. They had at one level dropped to round $20K for a very nice low miles instance. Now a pleasant one is sort of inconceivable to get and if one is on the market it is going to value huge bucks.

Submitted by: Scott The Stagehand, Tex

One of my worst first dates ever was with a man with a 9-7x. I nonetheless assume they’re cool.

The solely efficiency SUV I truly lust over is the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. Take the Rally legend Lancer Evo bride, stroll her down the isle to her Dakar legend Pajero husband, and a pair years later get busy, to provide one of the crucial insane offspring the off-road efficiency SUV world have ever seen!

There is just one right reply that’s the Mitsubishi Pajero Evo. Idc that it wasn’t authorized within the Usa till not too long ago however it could be a criminal offense to not have it on this checklist.

Submitted by: Agon Targeryan, Hereforcarsagain

I do know a number of individuals who personal Pajero Evos, they usually all adore them.

First gen Infiniti FX45, nonetheless miss mine. Bought it new in 03 and put 170k hassle free miles on it earlier than changing it. Nothing on the time regarded prefer it and no suv might actually contact it in dealing with or energy (till the Cayenne turbo) it was virtually like a v8 powered gtr with a backpack which is becoming for the reason that R35 was based mostly off the identical chassis.

Submitted by: jmerc

A completely game-changing automotive! I virtually purchased one final yr, a completely loaded orange on orange instance with every thing from adaptive cruise management to a rear-seat DVD participant. It drove extremely, however sadly that exact one was in tough form. Apparently solely round 20% of first-gen FX gross sales had been the V8 FX45.

There are 2 that I’ve at all times liked… efficiency tailor-made from the manufacturing unit is the unique ML55 AMG, they appear nice and are tremendous succesful. The sleeper for me is the Rav4 V6 fashions with AWD. Sure, the suspension shouldn’t be sporty in any respect however that V6 makes sufficient energy in a light-weight automobile to have an excellent time on again roads and round city with out getting arrested.

Submitted by: cintocrunch1

You have good style.

Saleen XP8 Explorer – principally for its oddity and rarity

Submitted by: Frosteeman

I like these.

Stelvio Qudrifoglio. Nothing else comes even shut on the worth level. 50/50 weight distribution from an especially nicely designed Giorgio platform places it miles forward of anything. The Ferrari derived V-6 is simply icing on the cake.

I traded a ’17 Macan S for a 2.0 Stelvio Veloce just a few years again. The Stelvio dealt with so a lot better than the Macan, it was stunning. As good as Porsche engineers are, they could not totally masks the entrance weight bias of a VAG SUV platform. The Stelvio is simply higher, from a dealing with perspective. 

Submitted by: Factoryhack

I believe the Stelvio is nice to drive and to have a look at, however that is about it, and I do not assume it is that a lot better to drive than its rivals. Sounds unimaginable, too, no less than.

I simply picked up a 2020 Audi SQ7. It’s lacking the game resonator possibility, however it’s virtually too loud on begin up.

Drove it residence 815 miles yesterday and liked the trip. Luxury and sport.

Submitted by: NaterTots

Congrats! Those and the SQ8 are particular sleepers.

VW Touareg V10 TDI

The greatest SUV inside ever made interval

The most succesful manufacturing unit off-roader (for a luxurious automotive)

Can and did tow a 747 with actually no particular tools or prep (taking a look at you Toyota Tundra)

Fast, comfortable, dealt with nice, nice mpg

Nobody has ever out sleepered it and at this level it most likely is cheaper to keep up a Veyron than a V10 TDI

Submitted by: Mike Poster

You’re most likely proper in regards to the upkeep bit.

Hyundai Ioniq 5N. I’m probably not and SUV man, and even I believe that issues a hoot. Motortrend even did an article stacking it up with the bottom Corvette, arguing that since they each value about $70k it is honest to see which supplied extra bang to your buck and located that the 5N had a quicker 0-60, quicker quarter mile, and shorter 60mph stopping distance.

Submitted by: Mike Szekely

I would not personally name the Ioniq 5 an SUV, however I’ll permit it.