Top 10 Best Luxury SUVs in 2022

13 minutes Published: 16/03/2022
Natalie McGinness

Are you on the hunt for a SUV with a premium feel for 2022? We’re talking about leather seats, extra leg room, and top-tier tech - a real luxurious SUV. This is the post for you. 

We’ve banished the people-carrying, crumb-covered, sticky kind of cars you typically associate with the phrase “SUV”. Only the best will do for this list of the 10 best luxury SUVs.. 

Whether you need a luxury family car with maximum space for the kiddies and pooches, or you just like the extra room that an SUV gives, you can have it all and more with these luxury SUVs. No expense has been spared! We have taken a variety of factors into consideration when choosing our Top 10 Luxury SUVs, to give you the creme de la creme.

1. Range Rover Estate

  • Doors: 2 - 4
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P, D, H
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 389g/km

Pros

  • Attention to detail when it comes to comfort

  • 62 Miles of EV-Hybrid range.

Cons

  • Brand new model so currently longer lead times.

  • Centre console is similar to less expensive competitors.

Embodying the phrase “luxury SUV”, and branding itself as such, the Range Rover re-launch in 2021 made waves across the luxury SUV market and will continue to do so for years to come. 

Available from the start of 2022, this luxury SUV promotes itself as the “the most desirable range rover ever”. The new version has a family, much-loved design, but has been upgraded for a more modern luxurious feel.

The Range Rover also offers 12 colour options, various wheel trims and sizes, and the option to have a fixed or sliding panoramic roof. The customisation options help you make this luxury SUV your own. 

Luxury is also about what you experience on the inside, and Range Rover certainly knocks luxury out of the park with their interior design. This SUV gives you 30 interior lighting options to create the perfect ambience, heated armrests for increased comfort, and an interior refrigerator compartment - if that doesn’t scream luxury, I don’t know what does. 

The cherry on top is the top-tier tech.! Of note is the  touch-screen navigation with wireless Apple CarPlay, rear seat massage chairs, and noise-cancelling, surround sound headrest speakers - and that’s just scratching the surface. 

There is so much to this Range Rover that luxury feels like an understatement - no wonder it's leading the charge in our list of best SUVs.

2. Audi Q8 Estate

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Quattro all-wheel drive plants you firmly in the driving seat.

  • Audi Connect gives you control over various functions from your phone.

Cons

  • Modern design gives limited rear visibility.

  • Voice control can only handle basic commands and struggles with natural speech patterns.

Perfectly suited to those who want to combine sport and leisure, the Audi Q8 rightfully deserves its place on our top 10 best luxury SUVs list. Octagonally inspired, this SUV displays luxury in its unique shape whilst standing true as the best model in Audi’s Q family. 

Offering up 3 trim levels - S Line, Black Edition and Vorsprung - Audi’s use of clean lines and sharp edges definitely nods towards the future of car aesthetics. Luxury is taken further with this SUV as it includes four-zone interior climate control and comfortable leather seats which have optional massage features. 

Its peerless exterior may read like a family car, but the configuration of the Q8 provides a sporty experience - it’s powerful, punchy, and premium.

This luxury SUV is equipped with both MMI top class navigation and infotainment systems, all displayed on a 10.1” touchscreen. On top of this, you can connect to the myAudi app where you can locate where you parked your car and lock/unlock it with the touch of a button!

3. Tesla Model X

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Best electric range on the market with a single charge.

  • Tesla’s in-cabin tech is on another level.

Cons

  • Not particularly agile, much like most 3 row SUVs.

  • Third row is compact and short on space compared to rivals.

Continuously redefining the automotive industry, Tesla deserves an entire post dedicated to all their optional extras that give their cars a personalised and luxury feel. However, we have just picked one to add to our best luxury SUVs list and that’s the Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X is a maverick in luxury SUV design. The exterior design of this car is on brand with the rest of the Tesla family - it has a sleek, sporty, elegant feel, and this attention to detail makes it the most aerodynamic SUV in the world. 

The interior of the Tesla Model X is inspiring, boasting the world's largest panoramic windshield and seating up to 7, the view and driving experience for both passengers and drivers alike is unmatched. This market-leading luxury SUV has the best range for an electric SUV, managing 348 miles on a single charge - that’s Glasgow to Gloucester, with a mile to spare!

Standard of any of the Tesla Models, the Model X is the epitome of interior luxury with tech specs including: 

  • 17” Cinematic Display
  • Wireless Gaming Capabilities
  • Multi-Device USB-C, Bluetooth and Wireless charging 
  • 22 Audio-Speaker with Active Noise Cancellation
  • 360° rear, side and forward facing cameras
  • 12 Ultrasonic Sensors
  • Auto-Pilot

To us, if your budget is big enough, this is a no brainer.


Fancy all the tech of a Tesla but have no need for one as big as the Model X? We have multiple Tesla lease deals available, let us help you find one that’s right for you!

4. Mercedes GLB Estate

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  •  Ability to create a widescreen cockpit.

  • Customisation options to personalise the vehicle to your tastes.

Cons

  • Complex centre console and steering wheel controls, with excessive manual controls.

  • Front seats can be narrow and firm.

Everything about the Mercedes Benz GLB is intentional. From the clean line exterior to the finessed interior, this car screams luxury SUV, so obviously we had to include it. This distinctive design is Mercedes’ best compact and versatile SUV ever. 

Externally the Benz design follows suit with many other SUVs on the market - big and bolstrous. But this has been refined to give that luxury SUV feel. Mercedes’ customisability function Designo allows you to give the GLB a more premium, personal feel, where both external and internal features can be specified to your desires. 

Internally, it feels elegant with premium upholstery and trim and other opulent features such as a wide-screen digital cockpit and panoramic sunroof. It also sports internal amenities such as smartphone compatibility, voice control, and Mercedes me connect which connects to your phone giving you control over your car's location and doors. 

In comparison to the other luxury SUVs on our list so far, the Mercedes GLB doesn’t blow its peers out of the water. But its reliability, sleek design and exceptional performance made it a sure fire addition to our best luxury SUVs list for those who may have a smaller budget but still want to look the part. 

5. Volvo XC90

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P, D, H
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 322g/km

Pros

  • Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an excellent, unique safety feature.

  • Google Assistant allows you to control your car and your home amenities in one.

Cons

  •  4-zone climate control for rear passengers is separate and can be confusing, particularly younger passengers.

  • Touchscreen can be fiddly and distracting to drivers.

Volvo might not be the first brand on your mind when we say “luxury SUV”, but trust us - Volvo is the dark horse of luxury SUVs.  We have included the Volvo XC90 on our list for good reason! This beauty is the perfect combination of style, elegance, safety and comfort.  

This gorgeous hybrid sports a 48V battery, allowing you to save fuel and reduce your emissions! The hybrid design has been refined to allow for a smooth take-off and is perfect for city and motorway driving. With the built-in Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), the stress of driving in busy traffic is reduced, and so is your risk of collision.

You only have to glance at the Volvo XC90 to appreciate its opulence, but the luxury really is encapsulated within this vehicle. With standard luxury amenities such as your heated seats, leather and wooden upholstery, and keyless entry - Volvo has managed to take luxury one step further. 

This luxury SUV has a fully integrated Google Assistant system, meaning voice-control can be used and Google Maps can give you real-time, satellite traffic updates. Plus your entire life can exist within the car as you contact family and friends, and control systems within your house - so you can turn the heating on for going home!

6. Porsche Macan

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P, D
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2: 161 - 255g/km

Pros

  • Optimal boot storage for larger families or long road trips.

  • Higher position gives greater visibility of the roads.

Cons

  • Base model isn’t very sporty.

  • Little less room than some competitors.

Porsche’s branding is instantly recognisable on the Macan. Sport and style have definitely not been compromised during the design of this luxury SUV. Porsche define the Macan as the “sports car of compact SUVs”. 

With a newly designed spoiler, re-developed rear and traditional sloping roof, this SUV is a head-turner. Traditional to the adored Macan models, the sideblades have also been re-imagined, to further the uniqueness of this Porsche design. Paired with 19” wheels you really will be at the height of luxury with this car in your drive. 

Inside this sporty SUV and in traditional Porsche fashion, the cockpit features a modern control concept. The Macan has a glass-look, touch-sensitive ascending centre console that leads up to a 10.9” display touchscreen. Centred on the dashboard, and a new-feature to the Macan, sits an analogue clock adding a touch of class and tradition to this luxurious SUV. 

Additional Luxury Features:

  • Sports-car style cockpit with higher seating, giving greater comfort and control
  • A huge 488 to 1503 litres of boot storage 
  • Optional towbar addition
  • 18-way Adaptive Sport seat system
  • 10 speakers with 150 watt output
  • ParkAssist and Adaptive Cruise Control

7. BMW X5 Estate

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Split, remote controlled tailgate allowing extra storage.

  • Built-in BMW Intelligent assistant, gives a touch of personalisation and extra control over your car.

Cons

  • Hybrid version isn’t quite as agile.

  • Quite a noisy drive.

A classic in the way of luxury SUVs, the BMW X5 has reinvented itself over the years, ensuring it maintains its position as one of the best luxury SUVs on the market. Sitting graciously between the slightly smaller X3 and larger X7, the X5 successfully strikes the balance between comfort and style. 

Another luxury SUV focussing on clean lines and sharp edges, the exterior of this car includes the identifiable branding of BMW, with the front end designed for optimising air intake and improving the cars dynamics, making for that smooth BMW performance. From the rear, the functionality of this SUV is highlighted with the fully electric “Split Tailgate” that opens in two parts at the touch of a button, to reveal 650 litres of boot storage.  

The BMW X5 is as standard a five-seater car with an optional third row, but worry not, it is still an extremely comfortable drive as an illusion of open space is created from the panoramic glass sunroof (optional). Its simplistic design really contributes to the luxurious feel of this practical SUV. This is emphasised in the cockpit with the BMW controller, glass stylings and digital display. 

Featuring all of the characteristics you would expect from a modern car, the BMW X5 takes luxury one step further with its built-in BMW Intelligent Assistant, using voice-controlled activation technology to give directions to your car. Further to this, the luxury SUV also hosts parking assistant technology that aids you in your search for a parking space, and a driving assistant giving live traffic updates to improve your driving experience.

8. Jaguar I-Pace

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Heat pump helps make the car more efficient.

  • Rapid acceleration for a car of its size.

Cons

  • Electric range isn’t as generous as competitors.

  • Competitors handle better.

Another electric addition is the all electric Jaguar I-Pace. This is Jaguar's first electric car, and boy is it a good one. Competing with the likes of the Tesla Model X, the range of this car sits at 292 miles on a single charge, which is slightly less than its peers but still very impressive for their first all electric vehicle. 

Perhaps one of the most innovative elements of the I-Pace is its efficient heat pump, which absorbs air from the outside and transfers it to the inside cabin - reducing the power demand on the battery, and improving the range!

There is no question of luxury when it comes to the Jaguar design. Staying true to its traditional style whilst embodying the modern design of the electric model, the exterior prioritises aerodynamic performance. Similar to other electrics on the market, the door handles are embedded into the door to improve air flow and performance. The expected luxury of Jaguar is continued with the LED lights branded with a double “J” and various options for external customisation including wheel sizes, body colour and panoramic sunroof.

Moving inwards, Jaguar has a well established, sophisticated interior design and the I-Pace is no exception to this. Beautiful, hand crafted features described as being “rich and solid” really make this electric SUV a luxurious dream. With added details like the floating centre console, external noise cancelling technology, PIVI Pro infotainment system (compatible with all smartphones), built-in WIFI or data options, and a secure tracker to alert you of any attempted theft. 

From everything we’ve mentioned above, it’s no wonder that the I-Pace has made it onto our list, and if you want the perfect combination of sophistication, SUV and electric - this is the luxury car for you.

9. Porsche Cayenne Estate

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Impressive performance - fast yet controlled.

  • Handling is top notch.

Cons

  • Suspension can be stiff.

  • Hard to navigate the infotainment system while driving.

The Porsche Cayenne is a front-runner for best luxury SUV in 2022, and is likely the best all-rounder featured on our list. Whether you choose this car for its performance or beauty, you’re unlikely to find something you don’t like. 

The original Cayenne made a lasting impression on the luxury SUV market overnight, so it's of no surprise that Porsche have continued to upgrade and re-invent the Cayenne, with the most recent change moving with the market and incorporating a high-performance hybrid engine, capable of 25 miles of pure electric driving.

Each model sports the same characteristics with slight variations in style and performance, but they are all unmistakably Cayenne. Falling into the Cayenne family, the Turbo S-E was developed on the race-tracks, and is perfect for the sports car enthusiast with a need for space for the family. The powerful design is unmistakably embedded within Porsche DNA; the body is strong and athletic with LED light fittings in the front and rear of the SUV. 

Focused on the driver, the interior of this car transfixes you in a truly immersible driving experience. Adaptive seating provides support without compromising on comfort, with the option of adding in a massage function for those longer journeys. In addition to this, Porsche encapsulates the luxury experience with innovations such as four-zone climate control for each passenger, that filters external odours, pollution and pollen. 

Taking a look at the tech side of the Turbo S-E, much like Porsche Macan, the luxury SUV is packed full of technological additions that will no doubt add to your entire driving experience:

  • Porsche Communication Management - a control centre for all your navigation, audio, and communication needs. 
  • 21individually controlled, surround sound BOSE speakers
  • Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus 
  • Night Vision Assist - infrared thermal technology identifies pedestrians and large animals before you see them.
  • Park, Collision, Lane and Brake Assist safety features. 
  • Compatible with Apple Play

10. Land Rover Discovery

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: D, P
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 397g/km

Pros

  • Comfortable ride.

  • Engine noise is at minimum.

Cons

  • Not the kindest to the environment.

  • Third row of seats is a tight squeeze.

With new design elements to update this SUV classic, the Land Rover Discovery has certainly earned its position on the best luxury SUVs list. A big car, designed for big driving - this car is ideal if you’re looking for a sturdy, family car with touches of luxury. 

Updates include a revamp of the exterior body, giving the Discovery a lower, wider stance helping to establish its dominance on the roads. A greater sense of harmony can be felt from the way the front blends into the rear, with a redefined grill and distinctive headlights seamlessly blending into the rear of the car. This SUV oozes contemporary appeal, and is perfect for those family road trips as it boasts 1,137 litres of cargo space and 7 seats.

The luxury feel of this SUV is reinforced inside, as the Discovery displays the classic Land Rover design elements of soft, elegant upholstery surrounding a well designed cockpit, that includes all the features needed for a comfortable, enjoyable drive. Seemingly standard across all Land Rover designs, the SUV includes infotainment system PIVI PRO, a touchscreen interface compatible with all smartphones. In addition to this, extra features such as wireless charging, live traffic updates, cabin air purification and 2D/3D mapping system add to the feel of this car.

Luxury can really be felt throughout the Land Rover Discovery - it is after all, what they’re known for.

Summary

This round up of the best luxury SUVs shows that manufacturers know that a car can be so much more than just a car to someone.

Each driver defines luxury in their own way, but we feel that when a car is an extension of you, connected to the rest of your life and more than just a means of getting around, luxury is really achieved.