If you’re in the market for a new car, you may well be considering one of the best new SUVs. Their appeal is understandable; they’re often quite practical, especially if you have a family. But if practicality isn’t the ultimate concern, and performance is more your focus, you’re no doubt striving to find out what the best sports SUVs on sale are.
Thanks to advanced suspension, steering and powertrain technologies, these high-performance options can deliver engrossing driving experiences and remarkable performance. And yet, despite their more thrill-oriented focus, many of them are often capable of acting as a practical family car, too, allowing you to get the driving fun you want without the annoyance of too small a boot or uncomfortable, noisy cabins.
The options are myriad, ranging from affordable and fun compact SUVs through to six-figure luxury SUVs with performance comparable to that of range-topping supercars. To give you an idea of what’s out there, and what might suit your budget, we’ve listed the very best sports SUVs on sale in 2024, to help you easily pick out the best new car for you.
Best sports SUVs to buy in 2024
An accessible and entertaining small SUV
Consequently, if you’re shopping for the best sporty SUV that’s more affordable, this should be your first port of call. Okay, it’s not the most spacious or exciting car inside, but its driving experience compensates for that in spades, especially if you go for the 1.5-litre Puma ST. The only real downside is that only petrol versions are offered now; an electric version is due, but not until the facelifted Puma arrives later in 2024.
Read our full Ford Puma review
Pros
- Great fun to drive
- Economical, peppy engines
- Lots of boot space
Cons
- Interior could be better
- Average cabin space
Ferrari’s first SUV offers an incredible experience
It’s terrific to drive, thanks to a clever active suspension system, although it is admittedly not quite as sharp as Ferrari’s traditional offerings. But that’s understandable, given its size and weight. And, despite that, it still feels more exotic and exciting than the likes of the Lamborghini Urus. It doesn’t completely abandon practicality in favour of performance, either; it’s comfortable, spacious, and packs a 473-litre boot. It even comes with a four-year warranty and seven years’ free servicing.
Read our full Ferrari Purosangue review
Pros
- Superb handling and performance
- Exceptional V12 engine
- Beautiful interior
Cons
- Poor infotainment controls
- Only space for four
Serious performance, both on the road and off it
Some alternatives might edge ahead of it in certain areas – it’s not as nimble as a Cayenne, for example – but the Range Rover Sport’s depth and breadth of talents make it the most appealing option overall. Reliability issues might mar the ownership experience somewhat, but then some of the other brands here don’t have a sterling reputation in that respect, either.
Read our full Range Rover Sport review
Pros
- An amazing all-round luxury SUV
- Ride and handling are excellent
- Comfortable and refined
Cons
- Potential reliability and dealership woes
- No pure-electric model or seven-seat option
BMW iX
M60 version delivers blistering performance
Despite its heft and footprint, it’s not just about impressive straight-line figures. The BMW employs advanced chassis technologies that help it to deliver handling more in line with the brand’s high-performance saloons and lighter SUVs, allowing you to have some fun on more interesting roads. That, coupled to its impressive comfort, fine interior, and modern features, make it an appealing high-performance electric SUV.
Read our full BMW iX review
Pros
- Remarkable power and handling
- Claimed range of up to 348 miles
- Notable design and technology
Cons
- Alternatives are more practical
- Sheer size could trouble some
Practical and prestigious SUV
It’s not a remote and unexciting affair, either; the Aston’s noise, its feelsome and responsive steering, and its tendency to deliver a lot of its power to the rear wheels, make it an engaging and entertaining car, even at sensible speeds. And if outright performance is what you’re looking for, well, there’s always the range-topping 707hp, 0-62mph-in-3.3-seconds DBX707.
Read our full Aston Martin DBX review
Pros
- Surprisingly capable as a family car
- Charismatic and enjoyable to drive
- Serious performance credentials
Cons
- Controversial styling
- No plug-in hybrid option
Superb handling and lots of choice
You’ve plenty of options, too, including E-Hybrid and Turbo E-Hybrid variants, as well as the sleeker Cayenne Coupe body style, and there are plenty of boxes to tick if you’d like to personalise your car. If you want something a bit smaller and more manageable, though, take a look at the Porsche Macan. It’s another superb sports SUV and competes directly with the likes of the Range Rover Velar, Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X4.
Read our full Porsche Cayenne review
Pros
- Excellent handling
- Wide array of options
- Polished premium appeal
Cons
- Can get very expensive
- E-Hybrid models are heavy
SVR 575 serves up ballistic pace
Only a few versions of the high-performance Jaguar remain available, so don’t hang about if you’re interested in one. If you don’t need the sheer grunt of the SVR, though, don’t overlook the regular F-Paces; the P400 Sport still packs a punch and it doesn’t command quite as hefty a premium. Diesel versions are available, too, which may fulfil the requirements of some buyers.
Read our full Jaguar F-Pace review
Pros
- Supercharged SVR is superb
- Compelling driving experience
- Excellent interior
Cons
- On its way out
- Some reliability hiccups
A heart-over-head purchase
And it’s the same story with the range-topping Quadrifoglio variant, which is powered by a glorious-sounding 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6. It’s terrific to drive, offering fantastic handling and performance, but it is costly to run – what isn’t here, let’s be honest, Puma aside – and it isn’t as well finished, or as practical, as some competitors. But if you drive any of the rivals, and find them leaving you cold, then Alfa’s enchanting high-performance SUV could be just the ticket.
Read our full Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio review
Pros
- Fantastic fun to drive
- Sounds superb
- Captivating character
Cons
- Reliability worries
- A Macan’s more usable
Audi SQ7
A stout choice for those with bigger families
Okay, the F-Pace and Macan might be sweeter to drive, but the Audi’s mix of punch and practicality make it an alluring choice. If the SQ7 doesn’t hit the spot, though, worry not: the Volkswagen Audi Group serves up all manner of options if you want a sporty SUV. At the more accessible end are the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq vRS and Volkswagen T-Roc R, as well as more expensive options such as the Audi RS Q8.
Read our full Audi SQ7 review
Pros
- Comfortable and refined
- Very spacious and practical
- Flexible twin-turbo V8
Cons
- It’s over five metres long, and wide
- Some gimmicky tech
An attention-grabbing family supercar
That might sound awful but, comparatively speaking, it’s good going. After all, the Urus weighs 2.2 tonnes, has 657hp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds. That performance, coupled with its dramatic looks and on- and off-road capabilities, make it a great choice for supercar buyers seeking more space, or for those who want an SUV with serious credentials.
Read our full Lamborghini Urus review
Pros
- Phenomenal handling and performance
- Impressive all-round versatility
- More attitude than its rivals
Cons
- Rivals offer more rear room
- Only one engine option
Sports SUV buyers’ guide 2024
There’s a wide range of choice when it comes to sport SUVs, but you can narrow down the options quickly by thinking about what best suits your needs. Deciding a budget, for starters, will cut the array of cars you could consider down dramatically. Afterwards, think about size and practicality; if you need seven seats, for example, that’ll automatically remove a lot of potential candidates from the table.
Your choice of propulsion will also help narrow down the options. Diesel is increasingly uncommon in high-performance SUVs, although still worth considering if you do lots of miles, but many of the newer petrol-electric hybrid options fare very well on the real-world economy front – especially if they are plug-in hybrids and you use the charging options. A pure-electric option could be viable for you, too, and many of the electric SUVs are the quickest around.
Off-roading is unlikely to be a major consideration for many sports SUVs buyers, but if you do intend to head off the beaten track, think about factors such as ground clearance and the potential cost of repairs. Many of these sport-oriented SUVs focus more on road use and are outfitted with tyres that will perform miserably on wintry or muddy roads.
That all said, buying a sport SUV may well be a decision that you ultimately make with your heart, not your head. If you’ve seen something and decided that it’s the car for you, well, the rest is moot. But, at the very least, do try to make a moment to think about the real-world costs and implications of buying such a car.
FAQ: Sports SUV questions answered
What makes an SUV sporty?
The acronym SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle. Generally, it refers to a car that blends off-roader, estate car and MPV characteristics into one package, resulting in a vehicle that better suits active and outdoor lifestyles – with its improved performance, practicality, and flexibility, compared to more agricultural off-road-capable options, giving them the ‘sport’ tag.
Sporty SUVs that are designed to be fun to drive, while often offering impressive performance figures, typically receive mechanical changes to increase their capabilities. These can include steering and suspension changes, to make the car handle better, improved brakes to allow it to stop more quickly, and – predictably – more power to improve its acceleration and allow it to reach a higher top speed.
What is the fastest sports SUV?
It’s a close-run thing if you want the fastest SUV around, with the Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 both hitting 193mph. The Lamborghini Urus Performante isn’t far behind, clocking in at 190mph, and several others can reach somewhere in the 180-190mph range.
Many, such as the Ferrari, Aston and Lamborghini, will sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.3 seconds – but if you want the quickest-accelerating SUV around, that trophy goes to the all-electric Tesla Model X Plaid. Thanks to its whopping 1,020hp, it gets from 0-60mph in just 2.5 seconds.
Which sports SUV has the most powerful engine?
The BMW XM Label Red has a hybrid system that puts out a total of 748hp but, if you’re talking about on engine alone, the most powerful is the Ferrari Purosangue – the naturally aspirated V12 of which makes 725hp. The supercharged 6.2-litre Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat comes close to that, at a greatly reduced cost, offering a staggering 711hp. However, the headline figures of both are eclipsed by the Tesla Model X Plaid, the three electric motors of which serve up a total of 1,020hp.
What is good horsepower for a sports SUV?
That depends on what you perceive as most important. A small, lightweight SUV with great suspension, steering and brakes can be fun to drive with just 150hp, if that. As the weight goes up, though, you need more power to avoid the car feeling slow and unresponsive.
The entry-level Porsche Cayenne, for example, has 353hp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in a swift 6.0 seconds. You’ll notice most here have north of 500hp, though, and buyers of serious sports SUVs will expect such impressive power figures. Whether it ever gets used, or whether it can even be deployed or enjoyed on a public road, is another question altogether.
What is the cheapest sports SUVs?
The Ford Puma is a small SUV but it’s very sporting in its nature, and enjoyable to drive. Currently, it costs around £26,000, making it one of the most accessible sport SUVs around. It’s also practical, frugal, and easy to live with, making it a sensible choice.
