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Best sports SUVs in 2024

  • Parkers ranks the top 10 sports SUVS of 2024
  • From the Ford Puma to the Ferrari Purosangue
  • Our guide to the best sporty SUVs on sale now

Written by Parkers Updated: 20 December 2023

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

The revival of the Puma name for use on a small SUV might irk some but, regardless of that minor infraction, Ford’s Puma is one of the top choices around. So much so, in fact, that we awarded it the best small family car award in 2023. And not just because it’s affordable, economical, spacious and practical – but because it also offers buyers remarkable driving dynamics and a choice of eager petrol engines, making it fun to drive as well.

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

From one end of the scale to the other. Yes, if you’re after the pinnacle of high-performance SUVs then the Ferrari Purosangue should be at the top of your list. It’s no half-cocked attempt to capitalise on the popular premium SUV market: this new flagship serves up the full Ferrari experience, thanks in part to its stellar 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12.

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

The Range Rover Sport effortlessly blends impressive on- and off-road performance with immense luxury, comfort and space, which is why it has long been one of the most popular sports SUVs around. And while it is admittedly tremendously expensive, both to buy and to own, it’s comparable in price to similar models in the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 ranges.

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

M60 version delivers blistering performance

Tempted to make the leap to all-electric power, but still want an SUV that’s gratifying to drive and comically quick? Then take a gander at the M60 version of the new BMW iX. It features two electric motors that produce a combined 619hp and 1,015Nm of pulling power, allowing the hefty BMW to punch its way from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.

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

The DBX cleverly serves up everything you might want in an SUV – space, refinement, comfort – while delivering a driving experience that’s unquestionably Aston Martin in nature. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 puts out a stout 550hp, allowing the DBX to sprint from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds, while its chassis grants the Aston the ability to carve through corners at incredible pace.

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

The Porsche Cayenne is a great option for buyers who want a premium large SUV that is superb to drive. It handles better than alternatives such as the Bentley Bentayga and, while newer competition has the edge in terms of outright dynamics, its balance of cost, performance, practicality and quality, is admirable and appealing.

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

The Jaguar F-Pace has long had a reputation of being great to drive, and it's also well regarded for being a practical and spacious offering in the world of sporting SUVs. But if you want an F-Pace with some serious muscle, the SVR is the one to go for. A whole host of upgrades, including a supercharged 5.0-litre V8, turn it into something that’s easily capable of rivalling the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Porsche Macan.

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

The standard Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a refreshing choice among the array of oft-staid SUVs available today, offering bags of character and a sporting, exciting driving experience. It has its foibles, such as some practicality and quality missteps, but it’s one of those cars where its dynamism can outweigh, for some buyers at least, its issues elsewhere.

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

A stout choice for those with bigger families

The Audi SQ7 is hardly a spring chicken, having been introduced in 2016, but it’s still a powerful and capable SUV that’s worth considering. For one thing, it’s one of the rare options with seven seats, while its vast boot makes it a good option for those with active lifestyles or larger families. It was also comprehensively updated in 2020, at which pointed it gained a 507hp twin-turbocharged V8. The 0-62mph time for this behemoth? Just 4.1 seconds.

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

This isn’t the first time Lamborghini has taken a pop at the super-sport utility vehicle market: back in 1986, it launched the LM002, a brutal 2.7-tonne V12-powered 4x4 which did a fantastic job of turning fuel into noise, and not much else. The Urus is a very different beast, packing modern Lamborghini dynamics and performance into a practical and flexible package – one that delivers, on the more realistic WLTP cycle, a claimed 22.2mpg.

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.