By Brad East
For many, the best luxury SUVs in Australia might seem out of reach. The rush of exotic brands launching “affordable” vehicles might push vehicle prices beyond the limit. Whilst the likes of Porsche, Ferrari and Aston Martin have stepped into this market, it doesn’t mean that a good luxury SUV is out of reach. With that in mind, it’s time to explore just what are the best luxury SUVs out there today and see what gives you a great mix of comfort, performance and ability to handle all conditions.
The best luxury SUVs in Australia
Range Rover Sport
When it comes to luxury SUVs, Range Rover almost always springs to mind. And there’s a good reason for it – no one does it better. The Range Rover Sport has virtually no glaring weaknesses when push comes to shove. It brings excellent performance courtesy of a 4.4l V8 engine generating a generous 467kW of power. What this means is that you can go from 0-100km/h in around 4 seconds. Not bad for a vehicle weighing over 2600kg!
When driving, the ride feels sensational. Thanks to its all-while drive and six-directional suspension, the Range Rover effortlessly glides through corners and bumps without any distress. There’s also a refined four-wheel steering system that also gives its additional response through corners giving better precision and a more agile feeling behind the wheel.
It also has a much-improved range too. Still running solely as a combustion engine, the Range Rover Sport averages around 770l on a full tank. This makes it one of the most economical SUVs out there and one of the most economical Range Rover models has ever produced. It’s why the Range Rover Sport is still considered the standard-bearer for luxury SUVs.
Audi SQ5
Audi has never slouched in the SUV department. However, the Audi SQ5 has proven itself to be one of the best luxury SUVs of the period. It oozes charisma on first look sporting a coupe-esque roof giving a much sportier look than its rivals. And it’s no slouch when fired up either. The 3l V6 TDI engine comfortably hits 100km/h in 5.1 seconds aided by Audi’s trademark quattro performance marks.
What you will also find is that the diesel engine gives excellent longevity on daily runs averaging around an 8l/100km consumption rate when pushed in city driving. But don’t think that the highlights stop there. It is one of the best-equipped SUVs anywhere on the market. The audio is provided by Bang & Olufsen speakers meanwhile the infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android devices extending your options for enjoying media.
Throw in a 5-star ANCAP rating too and there are no real weaknesses in the SQ5’s game. It’s why this offering has become one of Audi’s top-selling models in Australia.
Hyundai IONIQ 5N
Hyundai has been beefing up its performance models in recent years but the Korean giants may finally have found their perfect mix with the IONIQ 5N. Fully electric, the IONIQ 5N is powered by an 84kWh battery with an estimated range of 450km. This is perfectly enough juice to do multiple school runs or commutes without needing to charge daily.
Charging time is also a relatively new experience. Although a full charge of 100% is estimated at 11 hours, a fast charge of 80% only takes 18 minutes – more than enough time to grab a bite whilst on a long journey. It’s a pleasant vehicle to take on a long journey too. It comfortably sits 5 and both front & rear passengers are given ample space to sit comfortably without being crammed. Throw in ample boot space in the rear and it makes for a great family car.
By nailing the comfort, and space and not lacking in power either, the IONIQ 5N is an ideal luxury SUV to invest in without burning a hole through your wallet.
Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin never does anything by half-measure. So a quick look at the Aston Martin DBX proves that their luxury SUV is no exception. It’s a powerful beast sporting a 4l V8 engine producing a mammoth 520kW – making it one of the fastest in its division. The lively performance is only enhanced with the DBX coming with 4WD and Pirelli P-Zero tyres by default.
Just like you would expect from an Aston, the comfort is first-rate as well. The ride is exquisite thanks to air-powered suspensions and active swaybars to aid in easy weight transfers when cornering. Yet it is perfect for daily living too. The five-seat configuration is surprisingly spacy and over 680l of boot space means there’s room for suitcases, shopping and everything in between.
When you put all of this together, it’s no surprise that the Aston Martin DBX leaves jaws dropped. Even if it might be pricier than some other models in the market, it boasts all the right tools to show that Aston is easily in touch with what the modern world needs today.
Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar’s F-Series has helped transform the British marque’s fortunes around. It helped them surge into the modern era and the introduction of their F-Pace is proof of this smooth transition. At first glance, it might not seem the fastest. The 2l 184kW gives a decent punch comfortably hitting 100km/h in just over 5 seconds.
But where the F-Pace shines is what it gives to those inside it. The seats – for both driver and passengers – are extremely comfortable to sit in. And the ride of the car is flawless – aided by AWD and a well-tuned suspension. It also boasts an excellent infotainment system sporting a crisp 11.1-inch screen and fully supports both Android and Apple CarPlay devices. You’ll also find storage solutions in every corner with plenty of side compartments aiding in storage alongside a very generous rear boot to add to.
All this combines into an excellent package that shows Jaguar moving boldly into the modern age. The F-Pace is their luxury SUV that delivers on all fronts and showcases more promise heading to the future.
Conclusion
In the end, there are a host of great luxury SUV models to explore in the market. The likes of the Audi SQ5 and Hyundai IONIQ 5N prove that top manufacturers are still keen to jump into the SUV market. Meanwhile, premium marques like Aston Martin & Jaguar are proving that sports car manufacturers can transition into the regular market. Yet, it is still the iconic Range Rover that leads the way and it shows that the original SUV superstars are still capable of producing some of the best luxury SUVs in Australia today.
If you want to get hold of a luxury SUV today, come and chat with one of Dealify’s car finance experts today to see how you can own one today!
More Information:
