Gone are the days of SUVs as bulky, truck-like vehicles with big engines which move at a snail’s pace, but still guzzling all your fuel. Not too long ago, an SUV clocking 0-100km/h in less than 8 seconds was completely unheard of. Gone are those days.
Some of the SUVs available today are absolute wonders. They can take on hills, mud, snow, rocky conditions, you name it, and are somehow capable of accelerating faster than a 2014 Porsche Boxster. That is the true definition of “Best of both worlds”, if you ask me.
However, some modern SUVs have been questioned regarding their ability to perform their core function, which is to tackle the off-roads without any qualms. Many car critics are of the opinion that most SUV manufacturers have neglected the off-road prowess SUVs are built for.
The most noticeable difference between traditional SUVs and modern SUVs has to be the general appearance. Traditional SUVs had that rugged and rough look about them, whereas most modern SUVs are easy on the eye and one tends to hesitate taking it off-road with the fear of minor damages to the vehicle.
If you’re looking to purchase an SUV to be reckoned with, or have an interest in SUVs, have a look at these machines.
If you want to talk about value for money, the topic of discussion should be: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. The 6.4 litre V8 machine costs at least R500 000 less than the second “cheapest” SUV on the list of SUVs included in this article. This American beast gives a loud and impressive roar as soon as one touches the accelerator. The 6.4L engine produces a whooping 346 kW. That allows it to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
“The best or nothing.” What a slogan…
Mercedes Benz is world-renowned for manufacturing elegant vehicles with a certain level of class. The latest ML63 AMG has a 5.5 litre engine, while its predecessor boasted a 6.2 litre engine. What Mercedes Benz have done is remarkable. They have managed to manufacture an engine which is smaller but produces more power. The trick to this was the inclusion of a bi-turbo which resulted in the latest ML63 AMG doing 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds, a 0.3 seconds improvement from the 2008 ML63 AMG.
Land Rover has won numerous awards for off-road challenges. The Range Rover Sport SVR is said to have been the best vehicle to venture off-road and take on the Nurburgring. It managed to do so with all passengers more than comfortable. The SVR is powered by a 5.0 litre V8 engine which produces 405 kW of power. All that power! But that’s not all this vehicle has to offer. The SVR is more luxurious than ever, with features such as a fridge, navigation systems, adaptive cruise control, 360 degree cameras, and lane assists to ensure greater safety for the driver. Expect to pay just over R2 million for the SVR.
BMW call the X6 M a Sports Activity Coupe, probably so it doesn’t step on the X5’s territory. I will still refer to the BMW X6 M as an SUV, just for comparison’s sake. The BMW X6 M used to hold the title as the fastest SUV before one of BMW’s German rivals, Porsche, decided to improve their top of the range SUV. The BMW X6 M’s aesthetics bring no doubt that it is a coupe-inspired SUV. So it comes as no surprise that the X6 M manages to hit 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, all thanks to BMW M Division’s 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that produces 423 kW and 750 Nm of torque. All-wheel drive ensures maximum traction at full throttle, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission handles the gear changes for the SUV.
To get your hands on the fastest SUV yet, you would have to pay just over R2.3 million. Why is it so expensive, one might ask. Well, apart from its looks, It’s a Porsche, it’s the fastest SUV in the world, cleans out 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds and it produces no less than 800 Nms of torque. Convinced?
Key specs summary:
| Porsche Cayenne Turbo S | BMW X6M | Range Rover Sport SVR | Mercedes Benz ML63 AMG | Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT | |
| Engine | 4.8 V8 |
4.4 V8 Twinpower Turbo |
5.0 V8
Supercharged |
5.5 litre V8 biturbo | 6.4 Hemi V8 |
| Power |
419 kW (570hp) |
423 kW (575hp) |
405 kW
(551hp) |
386 kW (525hp) |
346 kW (470hp) |
| Torque | 800 Nm | 750 Nm | 680 Nm | 700 Nm | 624 Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 4.1s | 4.2s | 4.6s | 4.8s | 4.9s |
| Price *From* | R 2 305 000 | R 1 813 500 | R 2 016 400 | R 1 678 200 | R 1 133 990 |
With such quality available to us, even brand loyalists have been known to switch vehicles every now and then.
