By Nick Kurczewski of Road & TrackIndulgence isn't always a bad thing, so long as you can live with the results. When it comes to performance-oriented sport-utility vehicles, this usually means a steep sticker price and high fuel costs. Yet these tire-smoking vehicles are much more than rolling ego machines. Expert engineering and some outrageous power outputs help guarantee that the SUVs in this list aren't stumbling over themselves when the road gets twisty or the traffic light turns green. And with the rear seats folded flat, they offer loads of cargo room and real-world functionality — but be careful not to scuff those leather seats.
So, here are our favorite sport-themed haulers. Warning: They're not for the faint of heart — or the light of wallet — but they're guaranteed to leave a big impression.
Why not start with the bargain of the group? The 2011 Infiniti FX50 has the horsepower to match the competition, and a price that is tens of thousands less than most of the vehicles in this list. You might find it hard to believe that a sport-utility costing $57,825 can be considered a bargain. Yet the FX50 has some of the sportiest looks while boasting enough oomph to satisfy all but the most power-hungry amongst us. Standard all-wheel-drive and a 390-bhp 5.0-liter V-8 engine provide this heady mix of performance. A curvaceous exterior also lends an elegant and sporty tone to the proceedings. Most important, the FX50's double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension, optional Continuous Damping Control and Rear Active Steer make sure this crossover has the moves (not just the style) of a fun-to-drive performance machine. The firm ride is tuned to favor curvy roads and smooth asphalt, so don't expect to run the Rubicon Trail. When you press the gas pedal, however, you'll leave most sports sedans in your wake.
There were plenty of naysayers when the original Porsche Cayenne arrived in 2003. What was a company renowned for building some of the best sports cars in the world doing in the SUV market? The answer was simple: It was building one of the world's fastest and most agile sport-utilities. If you're a brand purist, you might insist on licking your wounds at the thought of this "911 on stilts." But as anyone lucky enough to get behind the wheel of the range-topping Cayenne Turbo knows, this is one addictively rapid ride. You'll be able to impress four lucky passengers as the 500-bhp 4.8-liter turbocharged V-8 engine and 8-speed automatic make short work out of any trip. No, the fuel economy is not what we'd call a bragging point. In this heady company, though, an EPA-estimated 22 mpg highway average starts to look almost frugal. Our biggest complaint about the Cayenne Turbo is the $105,775 sticker price — it's thousands more than the other vehicles here.
The BMW X5 has always been one of our favorite sport-utilities when it comes to its blend of style and driving enjoyment. It's not easy making a big and boxy vehicle look refined, but we think the X5 handily manages the task. Incredibly, the X5 M's starting price of $86,575 makes it the second least-expensive vehicle in our list. Under the hood of the BMW is a twin-turbocharged 555-bhp V-8 engine, mated to an 6-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. The standard 20-in. wheels dig into the asphalt and serve up a dash to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds — this figure is better than that of many of BMW's own high-performance sedans! Like the other vehicles in this list, the BMW has lots of cargo room, its 21.9 cu. ft. ample for almost all occasions. But if needed, the rear seats fold flat, providing a whopping 61.8 cu. ft. of space. Not that you'd want to risk scuffing the X5's handsome leather-clad interior by stuffing in your grandmother's collection of antique ottomans, but it's nice to know you could if you had to.
Mercedes-Benz was one of the first automakers to recognize the huge demand for luxury and performance in the sport-utility market. The original M-Class appeared in 1998 and 2011 brings with it another round of technical and visual improvements. While there are larger (and smaller) SUVs in the Mercedes lineup, the M-Class strikes the perfect balance for space and pace, especially when it comes to the menacing ML63 AMG. From the moment you twist the key and hear the deep grumble of its 6.2-liter V-8 engine, there is no doubt that the sole intent of this vehicle is to go very, very fast. With 503 bhp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque — and the grip provided by all-wheel drive — the ML63 AMG launches itself from 0 to 60 in less than 5.0 seconds. A 7-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel is the only transmission available. In this AMG model, the brakes and suspension are beefed up to cope with the extra power — remember, this ML63 has 235 more horsepower than the base ML. This also explains the premium you'll pay at the dealership and fuel pump when opting for the ML63 AMG. The price starts at $93,465, you'll be lucky to better 15 mpg on the highway.
Like a handcrafted Savile Row suit, there is something intrinsically and forever classy about the Range Rover SC. Let's be honest, some of the other high-performance sport-utilities in this list can push the wrong buttons for some folks, especially when it comes to their flashy design and look-at-me image. We're not naming names, but the Range Rover isn't one of them. Sitting at the top of the range is the supercharged SC model, which offers 510-bhp courtesy of a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine. The classic (i.e. boxy) lines of the Range Rover mean translates to ample space in the back, with 35.1 cu. ft. of cargo room behind the rear seats. An 18 mpg average on the highway is, shall we say, a bit less impressive — although the figure is mid-pack in this thirsty company. What sets the Range Rover apart is its true go-anywhere capability. This British luxury brand has been piecing together rugged SUVs for decades. A low-range gearbox and air suspension give the Range Rover amazing off-road credibility and the hardware to tackle almost any obstacle. You'll be on your own, however, when it comes to navigating the $95,465 base price of the SC model.
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