Got loads of money? Need ride height and crazy power? Go ahead and take your pick of SA's crème de la crème: these are the most potent SUVs you can buy in Mzansi right now!
1. Ferrari Purosangue
If you have a few million to part with and you absolutely must have the fastest, most powerful, and most exclusive SUV in your garage, the Ferrari Purosangue takes the No. 1 spot on this list.
The Ferrari Purosangue, introduced in 2023, is a groundbreaking addition to Ferrari’s lineup, marking the brand’s foray into the SUV segment. This mid-size luxury crossover (aka a “Ferrari Utility Vehicle”) boasts a powerful, naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine, delivering an impressive 533 kW and 716 Nm of torque.
With acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of over 310 km/h, the Purosangue offers face-melting speed, which makes it the fiercest “SUV” on this list.
The Purosangue features an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, ensuring exceptional driving dynamics.
AutoTrader attended the Ferrari Purosangue reveal here and you can view Chad’s Ferrari Purosangue video here.
Contact your local Ferrari dealership for pricing. See the official Ferrari Purosangue video here on YouTube.
2. Aston Martin DBX707
The Aston Martin DBX707, with its almost unparalleled combination of performance and luxury, arrived in South Africa in 2022. The formidable 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 petrol engine that powers this SUV produces a whopping 520 kW and 900 Nm of torque. The DBX707 guarantees a thrilling experience with its 310 km/h top speed and 3.3 second 0-100 km/h sprint time. Considering these figures, it should really share the top spot with the Ferrari Purosangue, but the Italians claim that their super-SUV’s top speed is a little higher than 310 km/h.
TThe DBX707 comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes and bigger rotors in addition to its 707-horsepower (this is where it gets its name from), V8 engine. The 9-speed automatic gearbox also uses a wet-disc clutch system as opposed to a torque converter in the standard DBX, which was a world-first in an SUV. Watch the official Aston Martin DBX707 on YouTube here.
The base model of the DBX is priced around R5 million, which makes it a tempting option for enthusiasts (with silly money) looking for a high-performance SUV. Search AutoTrader here for DBX models.
3. Lamborghini Urus Performante
Even though these other competitors might be slightly more swift, the Urus Performante takes things to the next level from a style perspective.
Powering the Lamborghini Urus Performante is a 4.0-litre, turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 490 kW and an enormous 850 Nm of torque. The Urus Performante has a 306 km/h top speed and completes the 0-100 km/h run in 3.3 seconds. Guess what Lamborghini quotes for average fuel consumption? 14.1 litres per 100 km. From experience with supercars, we know that this is probably a little ambitious.
The base price of a Urus Performante starts at R4.950,000, and out of all the cars on this list, it’s this writer’s favourite. Want to learn more? Here are the Top 3 things you need to know about the Urus Performante.
(Get an Instant Offer on your vehicle and start the search for new or used Lamborghini Urus models on AutoTrader.)
4. Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
An outstanding combination of luxury and performance characterises the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Under its hood lies a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 484 kW and 850 Nm of torque. Top speed is claimed to be 306 km/h and the Cayenne Turbo GT boasts a claimed 3.1 second 0-100 km/h acceleration figure, so it can be argued that it’s the fastest, if not the most powerful, car in this lineup.
Enthusiasts looking for a high-performance SUV will find it to be reasonably inexpensive (if you’re a billionaire) at around R4.128,000, which is about the price of a one-bedroom apartment in Camps Bay. Read Sean’s review on the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT here.
5. BMW XM
If you can look past that overpowering grille and villainous demeanour, or whether you prefer your SUVs with a bit of Darth Vader influence, the BMW XM, which is a plug-in hybrid, will blow your hair back in a big way.
An electric motor (powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a total 25.7 kWh capacity) is incorporated into the XM’s 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox and works in tandem with a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-litre V8 petrol powerplant. This brings the power figures to 480 Nm and 800 Nm, which endows this behemoth with the capability to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, claims BMW. The BMW XM tops out at 250 km/h (not that you’re ever going to drive that fast in SA, hopefully) but can be increased to 270 km/h if you specify that option. Watch our 2023 BMW XM video review here.
Keyword: Here are the 5 most powerful SUVs in South Africa