It wasn’t so long ago that the concept of a fast SUV was entertaining, if inconsequential. Novelties like the GMC Typhoon and Lamborghini LM002 captured attention, but they were pebbles making small waves in a very big pond. Times have certainly changed, and to hammer that point home, consider this: to make our updated list of fastest SUVs, it takes a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds.
Even then, we still have a three-way tie right off the bat for the 20th spot so really, there are 22 vehicles on our list. That's because we arrange our fast SUVs according to manufacturer-stated 0-60 times as opposed to top speed, since that kind of performance is far more relevant for buyers in this segment. However, we turn to top speed for a tie-breaker stat, and as you'll see, the three "slowest" SUVs are a dead match in both sprints and flat-out runs. This is quickly becoming a very competitive segment.
Our list includes internal combustion and electric SUVs that are either available now, or very soon for major markets. The influx of electric power is shaking up the performance landscape in all genres, and with more on the way, this list will likely be quite different next year. Until then, here’s where we stand in the world of fast SUVs for 2023.
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2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo (Tie)
0-60: 3.7 seconds
Power: 541 HP / 567 LB-FT
Top Speed: 177 MPH
There are actually three different Cayenne trims on this list, each offering a variation of Porsche's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. It starts here with the base Cayenne Turbo, which is fastest in coupe format with a 60-mph sprint taking 3.7 seconds (Porsche lists 3.9 for the standard SUV).
The Cayenne's origin is nearly as old as the BMW X5. Porsche's first SUV hit the scene in 2003, and with two faster Cayenne trims still to come, its reputation for performance is stronger than ever.
2023 BMW X3 M Competition / X4 M Competition (Tie)
0-60: 3.7 seconds
Power: 503 HP / 553 LB-FT
Top Speed: 177 MPH
The BMW X3 is a good option for many different kinds of people, offering a range of turbocharged inline-four and inline-six engines, with a plug-in hybrid option available as well. The same can be said for its coupe variant, the X4. In M Competition guise, however, these are firebreathing SUVs with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out over 500 hp. Other enhancements include suspension and brake upgrades to make the most of the power, and the top speed reaches all the way to 177 mph.
2024 BMW X5 M Competition / X6 M Competition (Tie)
0-60: 3.7 seconds
Power: 617 HP / 553 LB-FT
Top Speed: 177 MPH
BMW updated the X5 and X6 M Competition for 2024 with a mild facelift and the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid system. However, power output remains the same – 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque – and performance figures are also unchanged. Naturally, there are M-specific chassis upgrades, and these SUVs love to defy physics thanks to a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system with a rear-drive bias, 15.6-inch front brakes, and numerous drive modes that offer a range of settings for comfort or corner carving.
2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo
0-60: 3.7 seconds
Power: 580 HP / 538 LB-FT
Top Speed: 187 MPH
Some vehicles just make sense with a screaming V8, and the Maserati Levante Trofeo is one of them. The Ferrari-built 3.8-liter V8 generates 580 hp for all four wheels to handle, sent through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
2023 Audi RS Q8
0-60: 3.7 seconds
Power: 591 HP / 590 LB-FT
Top Speed: 190 MPH
The flagship Audi Q8 received the RS treatment in 2021 and it's still a top-speed monster capable of reaching 190 miles per hour. In addition to its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 making 591 hp, the big Audi also utilizes an upgraded suspension that incorporates active anti-roll bars to manage wayward motions.
With a starting price of $125,800, it's certainly not an inexpensive choice, but it costs considerably less than its exotic stablemate, the Lamborghini Urus.
2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
0-60: 3.6 seconds
Power: 505 HP / 443 LB-FT
Top Speed: 176 MPH
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is available with two engines, but speed aficionados need only seek out the Quadrifoglio and its twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. Making 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of twist, this engine hustles the Stelvio Quadrifoglio to a top speed of 176 miles per hour. The Quadrifoglio also adds bigger brakes and suspension upgrades to the standard Stelvio, and power reaches all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Considering the Alfa's MSRP starts at $85,675, it offers impressive performance for the price.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid
0-60: 3.6 seconds
Power: 670 HP / 663 LB-FT
Top Speed: 183 MPH
The second Cayenne on the list is just a touch quicker to 60 mph, but it gets there in a very different way. The 2023 Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid pairs the familiar twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with an electric motor and the result is a whopping 670 hp. Top speed rises to 183 mph, and this time it doesn't matter if you choose the standard SUV or the fastback coupe. Performance is identical.
2023 BMW iX M60
0-60: 3.6 seconds
Power: 610 HP / 811 LB-FT
Top Speed: 155 MPH
Perhaps you were expecting to see the new BMW XM on this list? Its 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds isn't enough to make the cut, but the all-electric BMW iX M60 does. Its dual electric motors turn all four wheels, generating 610 hp and 811 lb-ft of instant torque that hits like a sledgehammer. The top speed is limited to 155 mph, but 60 mph happens in just 3.6 seconds. Compared to lower iX trim levels, BMW upgrades the undercarriage where you'll find bigger brakes, an adaptive air suspension system, and four-wheel steering.
2023 GMC Hummer EV SUV
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Power: 830 HP / 1,200 LB-FT
Top Speed: 106 MPH
You’re familiar with the bonkers GMC Hummer EV truck, and you can expect more of the same with the SUV version. Actually, you can expect a little less, as the Hummer EV SUV is slightly shorter. As such, GMC believes it will be more popular than the pickup, but production isn’t expected to ramp up enough to meet demand until 2026. However, the range-topping Edition 1 started production in January, and it sells for $105,595.
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Power: 480 HP / 600 LB-FT
Top Speed: 124 MPH
There's no denying the Mustang Mach-E is fast. The flagship Mach-E GT utilizes two electric motors to generate 480 combined hp. That figure may seem a bit light compared to other SUVs here, but 600 lb-ft of instant torque with no gears to shift equals swift acceleration. The Performance Edition of the GT will get you to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The downside is a top speed of 124 mph.
2023 Kia EV6 GT
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Power: 576 HP / 546 LB-FT
Top Speed: 162 MPH
Gunning for the Mustang Mach-E is Kia's sporty electric crossover. The EV6 debuted in 2021, with the 576-hp GT taking the place of the canceled Stinger. Dual motors send power to all four wheels, and it rivals the Mach-E GT Performance in both price and power. That is, in acceleration anyway. Whereas the Ford tops out at 124 mph, the Kia keeps going all the way to 162 mph.
The Fastest Cars And Trucks In The World:
2023 Tesla Model Y Performance
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Power: 455 HP / 487 LB-FT
Top Speed: 155 MPH
Mixing it up with Ford and Kia is the Tesla Model Y, checking in with similar performance at a similar price point. Some might consider the midsize crossover to be a Model 3 with a bit more space in the back, but the Model Y does sit a bit higher and it's available with a third row of seats. And it's no slouch in Performance trim, with the dual-motor layout capable of a 60 mph sprint in 3.5 seconds.
2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Power: 710 HP / 648 LB-FT
Top Speed: 180 MPH
Returning for one more year (to some controversy, considering this was supposed to be a one-and-done special model), the 2023 Durango SRT Hellcat uses the same formula as before – Hellcating all the things. In this case, that means a 710-hp version of the popular 6.2-liter supercharged V8, making it one of the quickest internal-combustion SUVs in the world. And this should really really be the final Durango Hellcat, as the Hellcat engine is slated to retire this year.
2023 Lamborghini Urus
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Power: 650 HP / 627 LB-FT
Top Speed: 190 MPH
Lamborghini may have been the first automaker to produce a super-SUV with the V12-powered LM002, but the Urus is a wholly different animal. Powered by a Lamborghini-tuned 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 – a variant of the engine used in the Audi RS Q8 – it makes 650 hp without any electric assist. With an eight-speed automatic sending power to the ground, the Urus reaches 190 mph flat-out.
Of course, there's a new Urus trim level that's a bit quicker and we'll be seeing that later on. It's also more expensive, but if you have around $200,000 to spend, the Urus could be your ticket to super SUV stardom.
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV
0-60: 3.4 seconds
Power: 677 HP / 737 LB-FT
Top Speed: 149 MPH
Debuting in October 2022 along with standard EQE-Class trims, AMG uses its own pair of electric motors to inject the smooth-styled high-performance SUV with considerable power. It also receives suspension tuning and upgraded brakes as you’d expect from something wearing an AMG badge, and the changes are noteworthy considering this is a three-ton vehicle. It's also important to note that max power and performance are only available when choosing the optional performance package. Without it, power drops to 617 hp and the 60-mph sprint falls to 3.7 seconds.
2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante
0-60: 3.3 seconds
Power: 666 HP / 627 LB-FT
Top Speed: 190 MPH
Add a little more power, subtract some weight, and you have the typical formula for an upgraded Lamborghini. That's exactly what you get with the Urus Performante, which is just a touch quicker to 60 mph compared to the standard model which we've already seen on this list. Interestingly, it's a dead-on match for another notable Italian SUV that just debuted to no small about of fanfare, which we will see next.
2023 Ferrari Purosangue
0-60: 3.3 seconds
Power: 715 HP / 528 LB-FT
Top Speed: 192 MPH
Once upon a time, nobody could envision a Ferrari SUV. Even now that the Purosangue is here, it's hard to classify this V-12-powered, low-ish riding vehicle as an SUV. With a proper supercar engine and room for just four people, the emphasis here is certainly more on sport than utility. However, it's still a four-door Ferrari with an actual boot for storage, all-wheel-drive grip, and a dry weight of nearly 4,500 pounds.
In that respect, it sounds very un-Ferrari-like. Mash the accelerator, however, and you'll experience Ferrari performance all the way to 192 mph. And it's priced like Ferrari, with a starting MSRP of around $400,000.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
0-60: 3.1 Seconds
Power: 631 HP / 626 LB-FT
Top Speed: 186 MPH
We've reached the final Cayenne, and it's close to being the fastest combustion-powered SUV in the world. Like the Cayenne Turbo, you'll find a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 under the hood. In the GT, it's modified with upgraded internals and uses a new software map to make 631 hp. The eight-speed automatic transmission is also modified to execute quicker shifts. It sits lower, rides on wider tires, and without the burden of batteries or electric motors, it's much lighter than the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. As a result, it's a half-second quicker to 60 mph and can reach 186 mph.
2023 Aston Martin DBX707
0-60: 3.1 seconds
Power: 697 HP / 663 LB-FT
Top Speed: 193 MPH
Electric power is certainly changing the performance world, but internal combustion isn't done just yet. Debuting in the spring of 2022 with a 697-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the DBX707 is still the undisputed king of flat-out top speed. If you have an open track with a long straight and the courage to keep your right foot planted, this five-seater Aston will hit 193 mph. It outruns every other vehicle on this list, but it must catch up to a few EVs before getting there.
2023 Rivian R1S
0-60: 3.0 seconds
Power: 835 HP / 908 LB-FT
Top Speed: 125 MPH
It should come as no surprise that the SUV version of Rivian's fast and capable all-electric R1T is also, well, fast and capable. In top-trim with four electric motors (one for each wheel), the R1S joins a very rare club of SUVs able to reach 60 mph in three seconds or less. This is even more impressive considering the R1S is a three-row people hauler that tips the scales at nearly 7,000 pounds.
The downside is top speed, which is limited to 125 mph so this isn’t something you’ll see smoking down unrestricted sections of German autobahn. But it won’t take long to reach that electronic limiter.
2024 Lotus Eletre R
0-60: 2.95 seconds
Power: 905 HP / 726 LB-FT
Top Speed: 165 MPH
The Eletre will finally reach customers later this year in the UK, and there are plans to open it up in other markets soon thereafter. While the “base” version of this electric SUV still packs dual electric motors with 603 horsepower, the Eletre R with its dual-speed transmission garners our attention. Power is up to 905 hp combined, which is enough to almost claim our title as the world's fastest SUV for 2023.
And it may actually claim that spot – right now we only have acceleration times to 62 mph (100 kph). The sprint to 60 mph will be a touch quicker, but it will need to improve by a half-second to take top honors.
2023 Tesla Model X Plaid
0-60: 2.5 seconds
Power: 1,020 HP
Top Speed: 163 MPH
What's faster than ludicrous speed? Fans of the classic 1980s flic Spaceballs know the answer. So does Elon Musk, hence the Plaid designation for the brand's most powerful cars. And for 2023, the Plaid's reign at the top is still unchallenged. Packing 1,020 peak hp from its tri-motor setup, Tesla officially says 60 mph arrives in just 2.5 seconds. Unofficially, there are numerous instances of the SUV going even faster.
Inside you'll find a steering yoke in place of a wheel. The gullwing rear doors still gullwing. It can tow 5,000 pounds. It's fast enough to run side-by-side with any production vehicle in the world, for a little while anyway. And while other automakers are raising prices, Tesla slashed the Model X Plaid's MSRP all the way down to $109,990, compared to $144,490 in 2022.
Fastest SUVs 0-60 MPH
- 2023 Tesla Model X Plaid - 0-60: 2.5 seconds
- 2024 Lotus Eletre - 0-62: 2.95 seconds
- 2023 Rivian R1S - 0-60: 3.0 seconds
- 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 - 0-60: 3.1 seconds
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT - 0-60: 3.1 seconds
- 2023 Ferrari Purosangue - 0-60: 3.3 seconds
- 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante - 0-60: 3.3 seconds
- 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV - 0-60: 3.4 seconds
- 2023 Lamborghini Urus - 0-60: 3.5 seconds
- 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat - 0-60 3.5 seconds
- 2023 Tesla Model Y - 0-60: 3.5 seconds
- 2023 Kia EV6 GT - 0-60: 3.5 seconds
- 2023 GMC Hummer EV SUV - 0-60: 3.5 seconds
- 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT - 0-60: 3.5 seconds
- 2023 BMW iX M60 - 0-60: 3.6 seconds
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid - 0-60: 3.6 seconds
- 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio - 0-60: 3.6 seconds
- 2023 Audi RS Q8 - 0-60: 3.7 seconds
- 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo - 0-60: 3.7 seconds
- 2024 BMW X5 M Competition / X6 M Competition - 0-60: 3.7 seconds
- 2023 BMW X3 M Competition / X4 M Competition - 0-60: 3.7 seconds
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - 0-60: 3.7 seconds
Fastest SUVs Top Speed
- 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 - top speed: 193 mph
- 2023 Ferrari Purosangue - top speed: 192 mph
- 2023 Bentley Bentayga - top speed: 190 mph
- 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante - top speed: 190 mph
- 2023 Lamborghini Urus - top speed: 190 mph
- 2023 Audi RS Q8 - top speed: 190 mph
- 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo - top speed: 187 mph
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT - top speed: 186 mph
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid - top speed: 183 mph
- 2023 BMW Alpina XB7 - top speed: 180 mph
- 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat - top speed: 180 mph
- 2023 Jaguar F-Pace SVR - top speed: 178 mph
- 2023 Maserati Grecale - top speed: 177 mph
- 2023 BMW X3 M Competition / X4 M Competition - top speed: 177 mph
- 2024 BMW X5 M Competition / X6 M Competition - top speed: 177 mph
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - top speed: 177 mph
- 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio - top speed: 176 mph
- 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S - top speed: 174 mph
- 2023 BMW XM - top speed: 168 mph
- 2024 Lotus Eletre R - top speed: 165 mph