20 of the Most Powerful SUVs and Crossovers You Can Buy

The latest from Aston Martin, this higher performance variant of the relatively new DBX shows that Aston Martin is still interested in its crossover experiment. Powering the DBX707 is a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 that makes, as the name suggests, 707 pferdestark, which translates to a whopping 697 hp. That might not make this the most powerful crossover or SUV ever built, but it’s definitely no slouch.

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Jeep’s answer to the demand for a high-horsepower machine built on the back of Dodge’s potent Hellcat was highly anticipated before its launch and well-received after it finally made a public appearance. Powering this Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that makes 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque.

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While Audi’s RS Q8 is technically a crossover coupe, which might draw some ire from SUV purists, its 591-hp 4.0-liter V8 should smooth over any issues you’d have with its dearth of cargo space. That said, this is one of the handsomest crossover coupes on the market and looks almost inspired by the legendary Sport Quattro.

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Mercedes-AMG is pleased to stuff its 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 into nearly every product in its lineup, and the GLC 63 is no exception. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 is available in its standard body, or the more stylish coupe covering. It’s also available in the more powerful 63 S configuration that cranks the power up to 503 hp from the standard GLC 63’s 469 hp. All that means is that there is no shortage of ways to build your hopped-up crossover.

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If you’re wondering if BMW missed an opportunity to hop up its X3, don’t worry: there’s one of those, too. The BMW X3 M follows the same approach as many of the vehicles on this list: Take a well-liked crossover or SUV and throw a ton of performance its way. Powering the X3 M is a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six that makes 473 hp in standard trim and 503 hp with the Competition package.

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Jaguar would be missing out if it didn’t stuff its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 under the hood of a crossover. With that in mind: Meet the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. This potent Jaguar throws 550 hp to the eight-speed automatic transmission. Almost as important as the power, Jaguar’s hopped-up F-Pace also lets your neighbors know you bought the hot rod by the beautiful growl out of its exhaust.

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Just like its smaller sibling, the GLE-Class Mercedes-Benz crossover has serious power, with the GLE 63 S Coupe getting a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 making 603 hp and a stump-pulling 627 lb-ft of torque. The coupe bodywork might make your shopping trips smaller, but the big power will make them a lot shorter.

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The BMW X5 M gives you the space and curb appeal of BMW’s popular midsize crossover with the performance you’d expect from a BMW wearing an M badge. Powering the X5 M is a 4.4-liter V8 that makes 617 hp in Competition trim. That power travels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and into the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

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The GLS-Class’s entry into the Mercedes-AMG lineup should look similar to its smaller siblings. This large GLS 63 sports a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 under the hood that makes 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Joining that powerful V8 is a large family hauler that can take everyone to dinner, quickly.

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While Mercedes and BMW have a big presence on this roster, the folks at Jaguar and Land Rover know well how to play the same game. The newest Land Rover Range Rover features a twin-turbocharged 4.4.0-liter V8 that makes 523 hp. This potent V8 feeds an eight-speed automatic transmission.

READ MORE ON THE RANGE ROVER AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Want the power of the Range Rover Autobiography but with a smaller footprint? Land Rover has you covered. The Range Rover Sport SVR doesn’t sacrifice the high-performance power with its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 making 575 hp. This power travels through an eight-speed automatic transmission before hitting the pavement by way of an all-wheel-drive system.

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It’s not just crossovers on this list. The Jeep Wrangler might not be the most obvious performance machine, but stuffing the 6.4-liter Hemi under its hood changes things—and fast. In Wrangler trim, the 6.4-liter Hemi spends 475 hp through the eight-speed automatic. Of course, being a Wrangler, you can also cruise around in open-air fun in the warmer months.

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Of course, Lamborghini would be on this list. The Lamborghini Urus features a 4.0-liter V8 under the hood that makes 641 hp. This might not be quite as much fun as an Aventador or a Huracan, but the Urus gives you space for four with some extra space in the back for luggage or cargo.

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Like a lot of other crossovers and SUVs on this list, the Porsche Cayenne can be a run-of-the-mill crossover or a high-performance beast. Topping the Cayenne’s lineup is the hilariously powerful Turbo S E-Hybrid model. Advertising 670 hp from its 4.0-liter V8 and hybrid system, this Cayenne will leave your air-cooled 911 in the dust.

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Maserati is also in the high-performance crossover game. The Levante joined the Maserati roster for the 2017 model year, with the high-performance Trofeo variant coming shortly after. Powering the Levante Trofeo is a 3.8-liter Ferrari V8 that makes 580 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. Like many of these hopped-up crossovers, this power travels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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Alfa Romeo wouldn’t miss an opportunity to make its Stelvio crossover into a performer. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio pushes 505 hp out of its 2.9-liter. Sure it might not offer the same wild exhaust note as the Mercedes-AMG or Jaguar V8, but that’s more than enough power for a crossover.

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This isn’t just a high-performance version of BMW’s X7 crossover, it’s also an ultra-luxury version. This Alpina XB7 takes the strengths of BMW’s X7 and doubles down with power and luxury. In the XB7, BMW’s 4.4-liter V8 now sends 612 hp through the eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s plenty of power to haul all three rows of this SUV down the Autobahn.

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The Bentley Bentayga brought the storied brand into the crossover world with the 2016 model year. While the base Bentayga is plenty powerful, the more performance-oriented Bentayga Speed is a 626-hp, W12-powered monster. This high-strung people move still offers the luxury you’d expect from a Bentley but also offers the performance that could outrun most blue trains.

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Yes, most of the selections in this list are combustion-powered. If we’re seeing the last hurrah for internal combustion, it only makes sense to unleash a swarm of powerful machines. That said, Tesla’s crossover packs a punch of its own. The Tesla Model X Plaid is the latest tri-motor variant of its popular luxury SUV, and it makes 1020 hp combined. That’s a lot by any metric but can crack this big, battery-powered machine to 60 mph from a dead stop in only 2.5 seconds.

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The Cadillac Escalade is a staple of the luxury SUV world, and it’s not terribly uncommon for owners to squeeze more power of these small-block-powered people movers. Now Cadillac is apparently doing that on its own with the Escalade V-Series. Some details are still up in the air, but it will start with 682 hp and a 0-60 mph time under 4.4 seconds.

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