10 Overlooked SUVs That Pack More Power Than You Expect

If you’re a little power-hungry in your vehicle, but you need to drive an SUV, you’ll be glad to know there are several overlooked SUVs that pack more power than you’d expect. Whether you’re looking for a sporty and fun vehicle that can carve up the roads or you want excellent power for towing and hauling stuff, these are the SUVs that have what you want.

For the most part, the highest-horsepower SUVs wear luxury badges, giving you some excellent figures for driving fun and capability. There don’t seem to be any limitations to what these impressive SUVs can bring to your time on the road.

A front, left hand-side, quarter shot of a 2024 Dodge Durango

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Land Rover Defender 130 P500

Peak Horsepower: 493 Horsepower

Guillaume Fournier | TopSpeed

The Land Rover Defender has an impressive retro-modern design with genuine functionality, capability, and upscale appointments. The cost might seem a little high, but the 130 P500 model has the most horsepower, giving you a more capable SUV to drive.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

A new range-topping Defender Octa model heads to the market this year. This Land Rover SUV has powerful engines and excellent performance qualities to be a great choice for every driving scenario you could find yourself in.

Pros

• Unmistakable Land Rover styling
• Unquestionable off-road capability with on-road civility
• Interior deftly blends utility and comfort

Cons

• Limited cargo space in the 90 and 110 models
• Disappointing fuel economy
• Expensive, especially in the higher trims

Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Obsidian

Peak Horsepower: 510 Horsepower

Jeep

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer L is the largest and fanciest Jeep SUV. This means you have a massive SUV that reaches luxury levels of driving and pleasure on any road. Many luxury SUVs have gotten a run for their money with this massive Jeep.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

One of the most impressive additions to this Jeep SUV is the new Hurricane engine, which gives it excellent power and performance. This is one of the only V6-powered SUVs on the list of SUVs that are more powerful than you might expect.

Pros

• Seriously fast on its feet
• Impressive luxury trappings
• Even the regular-wheelbase model is ginormous inside

Cons

• Poor fuel economy
• Less nimble than rivals from Lincoln and Cadillac
• Might be too big for your garage

Jaguar F-Pace SVR 575 Edition

Peak Horsepower: 567 Horsepower

Jaguar

The F-Pace carries forward the Jaguar personality, giving you everything you want in a luxury SUV from this brand. It stands out from other SUVs with its slinky styling, honed on-road manners, and upscale interior.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

If you want to drive this Jaguar SUV, you’ll need to grab one soon. The next evolution of this SUV transitions it to an electric SUV. The current F-Pace SVR 575 Edition is an excellent swan song to this SUV, which can be a pleasure to drive everywhere.

Pros

• Sweet handling
• Smooth turbocharged six-cylinder and powerful V8
• Luxurious cabin

Cons

• Taut suspension tends toward stiff
• Short on places to stash small items
• Infotainment can be slow to react

2023 Genesis GV70 in red driving on city sreet

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Maserati Levante Trofeo

Peak Horsepower: 572 Horsepower

Maserati

If you want a solid luxury SUV with looks to kill, the Maserati Levante is an excellent choice. This SUV has the most horsepower in the Trofeo trim, which has the lusty V8 engine under the hood. The price puts an exotic niche in this SUV.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

This Maserati SUV is a 2024 model because the brand isn’t making it any longer. There might be a new model coming soon, but not for 2025. Still, the Levante gives you the desired power and performance, making it fun and active on any road.

Pros

• Designer looks
• Operatic engines
• Muscly power from the available V8 engine

Cons

• Six-figure entry price
• Less roomy inside than rival SUVs
• A few down-market touchpoints

Mercedes-AMG G 63

Peak Horsepower: 577 Horsepower

Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-AMG G63 is the top model of the venerable Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also known as the G-Wagen. This incredible SUV makes a statement when you drive it or park it in your driveway, ensuring your neighbors know of your driving status.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

This Mercedes-Benz SUV is more aerodynamic for 2025, but that doesn’t round out its edges or change its shape. There are simply a few subtle styling revisions that make it cut through the air a little easier than before, making the G-Class slightly sportier than before.

Pros

• Posh cabin
• One of the most capable all-terrain SUVs
• A much a style item as an off-road tool

Cons

• The six-cylinder engine sounds terrible
• Fuel mileage from the six-cylinder engine isn’t an advantage
• Base price is extremely high

Mercedes-Benz GLE AMG 63 S

Peak Horsepower: 603 Horsepower

Mercedes-AMG

The Mercedes-Benz GLE might not have the greatest personality until you get behind the wheel. This SUV makes up for any shortcomings with its luxurious features, impressive comfort items, and refined driving manners.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

The GLE is now offered as a coupe in more trims than before. The AMG 63 S is the most powerful version of this SUV, giving you the high-end performance and fun that makes driving this SUV a blast. Get in and have a wonderfully joyous ride in this Mercedes-Benz SUV.

Pros

• Luxurious and refined interior
• Excellent voice controls
• Wide range of engine choices

Cons

• Big wheel options affect ride quality
• Restrictive third-row seats
• Options send the price skyward

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2024 BMW X7 Driving

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BMW X6 M Competition

Peak Horsepower: 617 Horsepower

BMW

The BMW X6 M Competition is a luxury-level brute with sports-car-like performance and fun. This SUV is a dominant force on the road, making it easy to push it hard and toss it around on the roads. You’ll find an abundance of precision and luxury qualities in this BMW SUV.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

This BMW SUV was refreshed for the 2024 model year, giving this vehicle a more attractive and impressive exterior, which delivers a more aggressive look. Inside, you’ll find a 27.2-inch curved center screen that gives you the tech interface you’re sure to enjoy.

Pros

• Plush cabin materials
• Exhilarating power
• Acts like a sports sedan

Cons

• Sloped roofline constricts rear visibility
• Headroom and cargo space are less than the X5 M
• Rides rough on less-than-pristine roads

Audi RS Q8 Performance

Peak Horsepower: 631 Horsepower

Audi

If you want supercar performance and power in a more subdued shell, the Audi RS Q8 is the ideal luxury SUV to drive. This incredible vehicle isn’t as outrageous as the Lamborghini Urus, but it is nearly as quick and can be just as much fun to drive.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

Audi gives the RS Q8 updated styling with a refreshed look for 2025, bringing it more in line with the Q8 and SQ8 models. The base model is no longer offered, putting the Performance model in its place, which makes more horsepower and has a mechanical center differential.

Pros

• High-end cabin
• Comfortable ride when you want to cruise
• Lamborghini Urus performance at a huge discount

Cons

• Exhaust note could be a bit more boisterous
• Almost too subdued-looking
• Enthusiasts know the RS6 Avant station wagon is a cooler ride

Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT

Peak Horsepower: 650 Horsepower

When you want impressive horsepower without compromise, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe is happy to oblige. This impressive SUV has a soul-satisfying speed and handling that makes it feel more like a sports car than an SUV.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

Porsche added a new GTS model to the Cayenne lineup for 2025, giving you the same engine as the Cayenne S but with a 25-horsepower boost. Still, the Turbo GT model is the most powerful version of this SUV, making it the most exciting option for driving fun.

Pros

• Handling worth of the Porsche badge
• Gutsy powertrains
• SUV practicality helps make it a defensible purchase

Cons

• Almost everything costs extra
• The dashboard is a mess of screens
• No three-row option

2024 Aston Martin DBX707 in green Driving on country road

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Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Brass Monkey

Peak Horsepower: 710 Horsepower

Dodge

This version of the Dodge Durango is an unapologetic old-school muscle machine with the Hellcat engine under the hood. You’ll have a hard time finding a more powerful three-row SUV and can certainly experience the incredible feeling of this SUV.

Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications

The 2025 version of this Dodge SUV has only a few changes and a trimmed-down lineup. This is the final year of the V8 engine for the Durango, which means the next time it shows up should be for a new generation to give you the new Stealth model expected to arrive in 2026.

Pros

• Class-leading towing capacity
• Impressive V8 power
• User-friendly infotainment system

Cons

• Light on standard features
• Can’t hide its age or thirst
• Tight third row