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Best Large SUVs 2022
The best large SUVs are the ultimate practical cars. They obviously have loads of room, large boots, great in-car tech and you get that high-up driving position we love. In short, they can do the jobs of many other vehicles, all at the same time. That’s because they quite often fulfil the task of being a family car, have much of the flexibility of a large MPV, have the sumptuousness of a luxury car, and some even drive like a performance saloon. Here are the definitive list of the very best large SUVs you can buy.
1. Land Rover Defender
How do you replace a car that’s been in the public consciousness for almost 70 years? That’s like trying to replace David Attenborough. Thankfully, Land Rover hit the nail on the head with the new car, which is clearly a modern interpretation of the original, but with vastly more luxury, school-run chic and, crucially, off-road ability than its grand-parent. It can be a bit expensive, though. And a Land Rover Discovery is a better seven-seater. Go for the D240 diesel and you’ll get a decent blend of strength and refinement.
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2. BMW X5
The BMW X5 totally rocked the world of SUVs when it first went on sale because it was a 4×4 that drove like a sports saloon. The latest car completely sticks to that ethos but adds the poise and toys of a luxury car into the mix. It’s an enjoyable car to drive, the interior feels beautifully built and it has one of the best infotainment systems anywhere. Some of the kit you’d probably want doesn’t come as standard, though. The 40i petrol or the 30d diesel are the most popular engine choices.
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3. Audi Q8
The Audi Q8 has styling designed to encourage you out of its way on the motorway. Or on that narrow backstreet. Or in a car park. The dimensions help, because the Q8 is huge. Four people will be so far apart from each other that they might have to shout and the boot’s big enough to sleep in. The dashboard features Audi’s triple-screen infotainment set-up, and as you’d expect, everything feels luxurious. If you need seven seats, however, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Still, four-wheel drive is standard, and all engines are exceptionally smooth and quiet.
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4. Volvo XC90
Boy oh boy, did Volvo rediscover its mojo when it designed the XC90. No longer was it an also-ran in the world of large SUVs, and instead it leapt right to the front of the pack. The styling is the epitome of Scandinavian chic, complete with the “Thor’s’ hammer” headlights, and the cool ambience continues inside, where there’s a wonderfully minimalist interior with beautiful plastics and woods, and a large portrait-orientated touchscreen front and centre. There’s loads of space in the front two rows of seats but there’s only space kids in the two rearmost seats.
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5. Audi Q7
An Audi Q7 might look all aggressive and intimidating, but in fact, it’s a big softy. For a start, the standard air suspension takes the sting out of even the roughest of roads, and the engines are all quite happy to keep themselves to themselves. Passengers are likely to keep quiet, too, because they’ll have nothing to complain about. There’s loads of space for five adults, plus two kids in the rearmost pair of seats. It isn’t the most fun-to-drive large SUVs and some safety kit is only available on the most expensive models. The best all-round engine is the 286hp 50TDI model.
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6. Mercedes GLE
If you want to get you and six other people from here to there, without the journey impinging on your day at all, the Mercedes GLE is the ideal car. It’s imposingly large, with a large grille and large-diameter alloy wheels, and the interior is full of beautiful brushed metal, gloss black plastic and hints of wood here and there. There’s loads of space for five adults plus luggage, or seven people and less luggage. The back seats – although quite cramped, do fold down at the touch of a button. The 272hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel best suits the GLE’s character, because it is smooth and strong but unobtrusive.
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7. Range Rover Sport
In the Range Rover Sport five people can travel in the utmost luxury You can also have your Sport as a seven-seater, although the two rear seats are best left for kids. At the moment, the 3.0-litre diesel probably makes the most sense, because it’s strong and economical, but the plug-in hybrid will work well if you drive mainly in town and can plug it in everywhere you go.
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8. Kia Sorento
A Kia Sorento is a pretty rare thing, because it’s a seven-seater that can actually carry seven adults. It’s big, with plenty of space for all, and it all feels suitably upmarket. That’s just as well, because it has a pretty upmarket price too. Still, the interior is swathed in soft-touch plastics and chrome trims, and there’s a large digital driver’s display plus a huge touchscreen. However, the engine range is small and the diesel is only available on mid-spec ‘3’ cars – if you want a higher or lower spec, you’re stuck with petrol-electric power.
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9. Range Rover Velar
The Range Rover Velar is Land Rover getting funky. It’s low, sporty-looking, has cool touches such as pop-out door handles, and it’s filled with the sort of high-tech interior kit that gadget fans will love. But underneath all of that, it’s still a Land Rover at heart, so it’ll head farther into the wilds than your average bear. You and four passengers will be quite comfortable as you head off the beaten track, although those in the back might complain that the windows are a bit small.
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10. Hyundai Santa Fe
If you want to stand out from the crowd, a Hyundai Santa Fe is a pretty decent place to start, because it has a pretty eye-catching appearance, with lashings of chrome and shiny roof rails. Better still, it actually has seven seats that will accommodate seven adults. On those occasions when the rearmost seats aren’t filled, you can slide the middle seat backwards for more legroom, and can even recline the backrest. There’s only one engine, a 2.2-litre diesel that’s not as economical as you might like, but at least it makes the Santa Fe a good tow car.
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