The popularity of SUVs and crossovers has grown so significantly in recent years that they make up around half of all vehicle sales in South Africa, and high-performance SUVs represent the aspirational pinnacle of the segment.
While current fuel prices don’t necessarily warrant going out and buying a thirsty, high-performance SUV, those who can afford the most powerful models on our roads won’t be too fazed about the price per litre.
That is because most of these have price tags that require buyers to part with R3 million or more.
While many of the country’s most powerful SUVs are petrol-powered, there is a significant number of new-energy derivatives, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
Unsurprisingly, all of these originate from long-established European performance carmakers, including Mercedes-AMG, Audi, and BMW, as well as sports- and supercar makers Lamborghini and Ferrari.
South Africa’s most powerful SUV comes from one of the latter carmakers, as the Lamborghini Urus claims this particular crown.
The “Raging Bull” is a plug-in hybrid electric, fitted with a front-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol motor with an electric motor positioned directly inside the 8-speed automatic transmission, which drives all four wheels.
Combined, these produce a staggering 588kW and 950Nm, allowing the 2.5-tonne SUV to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 312km/h, or 135km/h in electric-only mode.
Its PHEV layout enables lower fuel consumption of 2.1l/100km when the hybrid battery is charged, while in petrol-only mode, drivers shouldn’t expect much better than 12.9l/100km.
For all of this performance, South Africans can expect to pay R4,875,000 – a price tag that leaves it among the country’s most exclusive options.
On this list, only two SUVs demand bigger fees – the R5,886,000 Bentley Bentayga Speed, and the most expensive SUV in the country, the R11,795,000 Ferrari Purosangue.
South Africa’s top-performing SUVs
High-performance SUVs will always have their place as a status symbol on South Africa’s roads, regardless of the petrol price outlook.
Below is a list of the ten most powerful SUVs in South Africa right now. Click on their underlined prices to learn more about each model.
1. Lamborghini Urus SE
- Power – 588kW/950Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.4 seconds
- Top speed – 312km/h
- Price – R4,875,000
2. BMW XM Label
- Power – 550kW/1,000Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.8 seconds
- Top speed – 290km/h
- Price – R3,675,000
3. Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-hybrid
- Power – 544kW/950Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.7 seconds
- Top speed – 295km/h
- Price – R3,791,000
4. Ferrari Purosangue
- Power – 533kW/716Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.3 seconds
- Top speed – 310+
- Price – R11,795,000
5. Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S
- Power – 500kW/1,020Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.5 seconds
- Top speed – 275km/h
- Price – R2,723,593
6. Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
- Power – 485kW/850Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.3 seconds
- Top speed – 305km/h
- Price – R4,606,000
7. Bentley Bentayga Speed
- Power – 478kW/850Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.6 seconds
- Top speed – 310km/h
- Price – R5,886,000
8. Audi RSQ8 Quattro Performance
- Power – 471kW/850Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.6 seconds
- Top speed – 305km/h
- Price – R3,266,100
9. Land Rover Defender 110 Octa
- Power – 467kW/750Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 4.0 seconds
- Top speed – 250km/h
- Price – R3,739,200
10. Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV
- Power – 467kW/750Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.9 seconds
- Top speed – 266km/h
- Price – R3,626,700
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