How important is speed to you? If the answer is very, but you need something with a dab of rough-road capability, or more practicality than a coupe or saloon, you might be considering one of the fastest SUVs on sale in 2024. These top SUVs mix terrific power and pace with practicality and, more often than not, a whole heap of prestige.
There are plenty of options in the fast SUV world, too, ranging from less costly all-electric options through to premium performance SUVs from highly respected supercar manufacturers. But the fastest SUV in the world isn’t necessarily the quickest SUV, though, and vice versa – because ‘quick’ typically relates to acceleration, while ‘fast’ defines speed.
If you’re in the market for one of the fastest SUVs in the world, what you’re probably searching for is the one that’s quickest from 0-62mph. So, we’ve rounded up some of the most impressive, most powerful and most capable family SUVs on sale in 2024, to help you narrow down your options, starting with the quickest available. However, we’ve also highlighted the top speed of each, and those which serve up both a great top speed and 0-62mph time, so you can find the best high-performance SUV to meet your requirements.
The fastest SUVs in the world 2024
An all-electric SUV with ridiculous performance
Yes, this heavyweight SUV is reputed to hit 60mph in just 2.5 seconds. It's not entirely cut and dried, though – Tesla’s figures ignore the rollout, which is the time taken for the car to move one foot from a standing start – but, nevertheless, its 1,020hp triple-motor set-up delivers devastating acceleration. Some even find the Tesla’s acceleration physically uncomfortable, as it is akin to being on a rollercoaster. And if that’s not enough, the Plaid will bludgeon its way to 163mph, too, which is impressive for an otherwise conventional electric car.
Read our full Tesla Model X review
Pros
- Brutal acceleration
- Zero emissions, silent running
- Decent range in normal use
Cons
- Questionable quality and support
- Range tumbles when driven hard
Electric hyper-SUV performs brilliantly
It’ll top out at 165mph, which should satisfy the straight-line needs of most and, driven sensibly, it’ll potentially cover up to 280 miles on a single charge. And not all of the Lotus credentials of old have been dispensed with; while it’s never going to feel like a Lotus Elise, it does corner in an impressive fashion, and its steering and brake feel is excellent. So, not all is lost.
Read our full Lotus Eletre review
Pros
- Good steering, handling and brakes
- Stunning acceleration
- High-quality finish
Cons
- It’s hefty, like all electric SUVs
- Big footprint won’t suit many roads
Rivian R1S
A striking all-electric contender with serious pace
There’s lots more to like about the Rivian, too. It has seating for up to seven, a payload capacity of 800kg, a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, and a range of 321 miles. And if you need a bit more utility from your new car, well, Rivian also offers a similarly capable pickup called the R1T.
Read our Rivian story
Pros
- Remarkable acceleration
- Practical and flexible
- Neat styling and design
Cons
- Not available here yet
- Low top speed
GMC Hummer EV
All-electric Hummer packs mighty tech
There are a lot of things to raise eyebrows at here, for the wrong reasons, but there are some genuinely interesting facets to the all-electric Hummer. It has a ‘Crab Walk’ mode, for example, where it can drive diagonally, to help it dodge obstacles and manoeuvre through tight spots. And its phenomenal battery can reputedly deliver more than 300 miles on a single charge, while pickup and SUV body styles are available. Not without its high points, then, but most would probably only feel comfortable driving it around a large plot of private land.
Read our full GMC Hummer EV review
Pros
- Impressive performance and tech
- Deceptively easy to drive
- Ferocious performance
Cons
- It’s a monster, in many respects
- Only available through importers
Italian grace, pace and (some) space
And, yes, the performance of this all-wheel-drive Ferrari is terrific. It dashes from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds and, if owning the SUV with the highest top speed is your goal, this is the one to go for. Flat out, it’ll exceed 193mph. But it’s more than just a straight-line tearaway; the Ferrari serves up compelling and agile handling, too, so you’ll find lots else to enjoy when you’re not just stomping on the loud pedal.
Read our full Ferrari Purosangue review
Pros
- Incredible handling
- Sublime V12 engine
- Beautifully finished
Cons
- Expensive
- Only four seats
Terrific twin-turbo family SUV
It’ll match the Ferrari in a straight line, too, hitting 193mph if you’ve enough room available. And when you’re not tearing around, you’ll be able to make use of its spacious and upmarket interior. Aston offers a wide array of personalisation as well, so you can make the DBX just how you want it. If you’d prefer something a bit softer, though, you could have a look at a Bentley Bentayga.
Read our full Aston Martin DBX review
Pros
- Mighty V8 engine
- Practical SUV body style
- Drives like a smaller SUV
Cons
- Looks won’t appeal to all
- Awful infotainment system
Dazzling Italian super-SUV
And then there’s its presence, with its sharp lines and bold array of colours practically ripping the eyes out of the heads of passers-by. Okay, they might not be looking at it totally in admiration, but you’ll certainly get attention. It’s also offered with a high-quality four- or five-seat interior, and when you’re not pressing on you’ll be able to enjoy the refined and comfortable ride offered by the Urus.
Read our full Lamborghini Urus review
Pros
- Terrific acceleration
- Remarkable handling
- Stand-out looks
Cons
- Stand-out looks
- A bit tight in the back
Best-selling Merc packs brutal power
Its top speed isn’t quite as impressive as some here, clocking in at an electronically limited 171mph, but there’s no denying that this is otherwise one serious SUV. There’s also plenty of space inside and, being a plug-in hybrid, you can cover up to nine miles on electric power alone, allowing you to make subtle and quiet getaways when required. And, additionally, both coupe and SUV body styles are available.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz GLC review
Pros
- Incredible hybrid performance
- Comfortable and luxurious
- Advanced infotainment
Cons
- Very complicated
- Rivals are better to drive
Rapid range-topping electric crossover
What’s also gratifying is that this – comparatively speaking – inexpensive electric SUV isn’t just a one-trick pony. The EV6 is a great electric car, offering agile handling, stacks of kit and a plush interior, and it offers a driving range of up to 263 miles. And, to quell any ownership concerns, you also get a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Read our full Kia EV6 GT review
Pros
- Good handling
- 0-62mph in 3.5 sec
- Comparatively affordable
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy and twitchy
- Range isn’t as good as normal EV6s
A remarkable hybrid luxury SUV
And, if top speed is your main focus, the Porsche will outperform the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GLC, stretching its legs all the way to a heady 190mph. It serves up the typical Porsche experience, too, of superb driving dynamics, a high-quality interior, good comfort, an array of dazzling and useful technology, and an appealing slice of prestige.
Read our full Porsche Cayenne review
Pros
- Fantastic handling
- Sublime interior
- Great performance
Cons
- Hefty price and option costs
- High kerb weight
Fastest SUVs buyers’ guide 2024
If you’re looking to buy one of the fastest SUVs on the planet, there is one question you need to ask yourself first: are you interested in an SUV with the quickest acceleration, the highest top speed, or a mix of both? A lot of the quickest-accelerating SUVs are now electric, but those don’t necessarily stack up as well as their petrol counterparts when it comes to outright top speed – and if you want something that is both quick and fast, you’ll need to spend a little time staring at the specification sheets.
Otherwise, buying a high-performance SUV – if you dispense with the ‘I just want that one’ factor – boils down to the usual factors that you’d encounter when buying a car: how much you want to spend, how many seats you might need, and so on, as well as factors such as whether you need any kind of towing capability.
You might also want to investigate the pure electric or plug-in hybrid options, as their zero-emissions, zero-noise all-electric capabilities might prove beneficial. Leaving your neighbourhood at the crack of dawn? Then you might want the ability to slip out silent and unnoticed.
FAQ: fastest SUV questions answered
Which SUV has the most horsepower?
If you just want the SUV with the biggest horsepower number, it’s the Tesla Model X Plaid, which packs a stellar 1,020hp thanks to three powerful electric motors. The Lotus Eletre R isn’t far behind, at 905hp. In the land of hybrids, the trophy for most powerful goes to the monstrous BMW XM Label Red, which packs 748hp. If you want pure petrol power, though, then go for the Ferrari Purosangue. Its sublime V12, which is naturally aspirated, remember, puts out a heady 715hp.
What is the fastest SUV in the world?
The quickest production SUV on offer is the Tesla Model X Plaid, which accelerates from 0-60mph in a reputed 2.5 seconds. It’s not a time that’s comparable with some manufacturers, due to the way the figure was obtained in testing, but some Plaids have gone even quicker – so there’s no doubting that the Model X Plaid offers up frankly dazzling acceleration. If you want an SUV that offers a high top speed, though, go for the Ferrari Purosangue. It can exceed 193mph and it’s no slouch in the benchmark 0-62mph dash, either, completing the sprint in just 3.3 seconds.
What is the cheapest fast SUV?
There are lots of inexpensive SUVs out there that offer good performance but if you want something that stacks up compared to the options here, we’d say go for the Kia EV6 GT. It isn’t cheap at £62,000, but that’s a fraction of what some of the cars here will cost you. It’ll accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and, impressively for an EV, it’ll also hit 162mph.
Are there any fast electric or hybrid SUVs?
There are plenty of fast electric SUVs and fast hybrid SUVs out there. This list alone consists of some of the fastest and quickest electric and hybrid SUVs on offer, including the Tesla Model X, Lotus Eletre, Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-AMG GLC.
What’s the fastest mid-sized SUV?
If you’re looking at cars that around the size of a Skoda Enyaq or Hyundai Tucson, and want something really fast, have a look at the BMW X3 M Competition. It’s capable of 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, thanks in part to its powerful 610hp six-cylinder turbocharged engine, and it can reach 177mph. But a lot in that sector offers comparable performance; you could also consider the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Jaguar F-Pace SVR and, of course, the likes of the Porsche Macan and Porsche Cayenne.
What is the fastest street legal SUV?
There are a lot of modified SUVs out there that are capable of incredible performance. There are lots of upgraded Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawks, for example, that have north of 1,000hp. But in terms of the options here, the production SUVs with the highest top speed are the Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707, which can both hit 193mph. Ferrari says its SUV will exceed 193mph, though, so it might fractionally edge out the Aston in the real world.
