Midsize luxury SUVs have been a growth area for some time - they have the space to carry the entire family or a lot of stuff, with a more upscale interior that many drivers appreciate. These cars offer spacious seating, gorgeous materials, expert craftsmanship and a comfortable ride. There is a lot of competition in this segment, however, and the best SUV may depend on a motorist’s specific needs and taste - in the luxury car market, differences between vehicles are often a matter of aesthetics as much as performance or real differences in specs and features. There are five, though, which tend to stand out - the Tesla Model X, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Lexus RX and BMW X5.
Top 5 Midsize Luxury SUVs
- Tesla Model X
- Audi Q7
- Porsche Cayenne
- Lexus RX
- BMW X5
Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X has to be mentioned - the SUV of the Tesla range is, like all Tesla vehicles, fully electric, with a 289 mile range on its battery. It still seats 7, has amazing acceleration, and it comes with an enhanced autopilot, and although the Model X can’t quite drive itself yet, it can park itself, change lanes without driver input and even remember your exit. The Model X also has unique butterfly doors that many buyers love. One downside for some is that the Model X is the most aerodynamic SUV in production - which means it looks more like a large regular car than a true SUV.
Highlights
- Full electric
- Practically drives itself
- Looks like a large car
Audi Q7
A more traditional option is the Audi Q7, which also seats seven. It comes with Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel drive and the best horsepower in the class. It has a bold exterior and a six cylinder TSFI engine that offers good acceleration, speed, and towing capacity. The interior is modern but still feels like an SUV, with a panoramic sunroof, powered third row seats and gorgeous color schemes with decorative inlays. This is an excellent SUV for those who appreciate traditional styling - and that great all-wheel drive.
Highlights
- Quattro all-wheel drive
- Best horsepower in class
- Traditional SUV styling
Porsche Cayenne
A Porsche SUV might seem like a bit of a contradiction - after all, one associates Porsche with fast cars, not family workhorses. The Cayenne, though, has all of the luxury experience the brand can put into play and comes in both regular and hybrid versions. The non-hybrid engines include a twin-turbo V8 to give this as much Porsche performance as you can get in an SUV. It has a slightly more car-like styling than the blockier Audi, but may not look like a Porsche. This does not matter - this is a gorgeous looking vehicle well worth the higher price tag, especially with the technology and safety systems, which include Porsche Traction Management active all-wheel drive.
Highlights
- Hybrid version available
- High performance
- Active traction management
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is the premium version of the reliable Toyota Land Cruiser (which counts as luxury, but one might as well go the “whole hog”). With its huge grill and aerodynamic top, the RX has a distinctive appearance that causes it to stand out in the parking lot. Mark Levinson Audio is a Lexus exclusive, and marks a top end in-car entertainment system with high quality screens for rear passengers. It comes with a color heads-up display and some trims have active all-wheel drive. A hybrid version is available. Another unique feature is the panoramic view monitor which gives a bird’s eye view.
Highlights
- Distinctive appearance
- Mark Levinson audio
- Panoramic view monitor
BMW X5
Another brand one might not immediately associate with an SUV - BMW is rather more known for luxury sedans. The X5, like the Audi already mentioned, has a fairly traditional “boxy” SUV appearance - which many people like - combined with the sporty features offered by a brand that tries to make driving its cars fun. It comes with TwinPower Turbo engines and driver assistance that includes a high end navigation system, traffic jam avoidance and, of course, a head’s up display. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and comes with a Bang & Olufsen surround sound system.
Highlights
- High end navigation system
- TwinPower Turbo engine
- Fun to drive
Conclusion
Any of these luxury SUVs will take you, and your family, wherever you need to go in comfort and style. The right vehicle choice for you will depend mostly on what you truly want and need in your SUV, as well as how much you can afford to spend on your new luxury vehicle.