The luxury SUV segment has become a booming market for automotive manufacturers. The current 2022 model year luxury SUVs and upcoming 2023 model years offer buyers more power, efficiency, capability, and luxury features than ever.
Gone are the days of compromising interior quality and luxury features for more interior space. Luxury SUVs today offer ample passenger and cargo space without minimizing comfort or quality. If you are in the market for a luxury SUV or crossover, continue reading for our short list of the best options.
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE
It is no surprise to find a Mercedes-Benz on any list of the best luxury vehicles. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE class offers the best example of a luxury midsize SUV. The 2022 GLE class provides superb ride quality, responsive handling, and various powertrain options to suit many consumers. The range-topping Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4Matic is outfitted with a 483 horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine and Mercedes-Benz’s patented all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
Our recommendation, however, is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4Matic, as it offers a lower starting price than the range-topping GLE 580 and offers significant power and upgrades over the entry-level models without sacrificing too much in the way of miles-per-gallon (mpg). The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4Matic is built with Mercedes-Benz’s inline-six cylinder engine, producing 429 horsepower and returning an environmental protection agency (EPA) estimated mpg of 18 in the city and 22 on the highway (hwy). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE an overall safety rating of five out of five stars.
Browse 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE listings here.
2023 Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac is a symbol of American automotive luxury ingenuity. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade continues this legacy by offering a smooth-riding, three-row large luxury SUV that offers amenities for up to eight passengers. Plenty of space is provided for all passengers, with the most comfortable seats found in the first two rows but still offering ample space for adults in the third row. Suppose cargo capacity is a factor in your luxury SUV purchase. In that case, the Cadillac long-wheelbase Escalade ESV offers the most cargo capacity in the large luxury SUV segment, offering 41.5 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 94.1 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a whopping 142.8 cubic feet of total cargo capacity with both the second and third row folded.
However, the most notable aspect of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade is its futuristic infotainment system. Standard infotainment features include a 16.9-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, navigation, HD and satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker AKG audio system. Depending on your trim level, additional features are included in these premium standard features. Outside of the excellent Cadillac interior quality and design, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade offers another level of luxury with additional features such as a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system, rear-seat entertainment system with two 12.6-inch touch screens, a panoramic sunroof, and even a center-console refrigerator/freezer combo.
Browse 2023 Cadillac Escalade listings here.
2023 Acura MDX
Another representative of the midsize luxury SUV segment is found in the upscale and versatile 2023 Acura MDX. The 2023 Acura MDX is offered with either a front-wheel-drive (FWD) or AWD drivetrain, paired with a choice of two engines, one generating significantly better fuel economy and the other considerably more thrills. The base 2023 Acura MDX comes standard with a 290 horsepower V6 engine, while the Type S trim gains a turbocharger, boosting power to 355 horsepower. Either engine or trim level you choose is paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission.
While well-represented in the compact luxury SUV segment with the Acura RDX, the MDX offers more space for larger families, offering third-row seating. The increased cabin size of the Acura MDX offers a spacious luxury experience for all passengers. Acura outfits the MDX with a large assortment of standard features, including a 12.3-inch display, touchpad controller, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a nine-speaker audio system, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The 2023 Acura MDX outperforms competitors in the segment, such as the Infiniti QX60, which has many similar features but is not as engaging to drive and does not offer performance-oriented models as the MDX.
Browse 2023 Acura MDX listings here.
2022 Volvo XC90
The 2022 Volvo XC90 is a direct competitor to the Acura MDX in the midsize luxury SUV segment. Still, the Volvo offers more cargo space and an available plug-in-hybrid powertrain which the Acura MDX does not provide. Volvo has also made a point to establish itself as a leader in automotive safety, and the 2022 XC90 is a prime example. The 2022 Volvo XC90 was awarded a Top Safety Pick Plus award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). The Volvo XC90 has an average base MSRP for the luxury midsize SUV segment of $49,000. Still, with available options, the price can quickly go over $70,000.
The Volvo XC90 boasts the largest cargo capacity in the midsize luxury SUV class, with a maximum of 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third-row seating folded. As previously mentioned, Volvo offers the 2022 XC90 with a hybrid powertrain option named the T8 powertrain. The T8 powertrain pairs the XC90’s base engine and adds a supercharger and two electric motors to produce 400 horsepower. This power is then fed to an all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain, resulting in a zero to sixty dash in 5.3 seconds.
High-performance capability may differ from what you are searching for in a luxury SUV. Still, performance is only part of what the 2022 Volvo XC90 offers. Standard interior features include a ten-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, wireless device charging, two USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Browse 2022 Volvo XC90 listings here.
2023 Lexus RX 350
Lexus offers a luxurious driving experience in their 2023 RX 350 midsize luxury SUV. Offering finely tuned driving dynamics, an upscale interior, and a large central touchscreen display, it positions itself well among its rivals in the midsize luxury SUV segment. Lexus outfits the 2023 Lexus RX 350 with a new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The engine has enough power for the Lexus RX 350 to feel agile but not exactly sporty. Lexus’s choice to replace the traditional V6 engine found in previous RX 350 model years with a turbocharged four-cylinder makes sense in the EPA estimated gas mileage return of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the hwy, which is great fuel economy for the class.
The 2023 Lexus RX 350 has yet to be rated by the IIHS or NHSTA but is offered a full suite of standard driver-assistance features. There are many available safety features for consumers to choose from. The previous 2022 model year, Lexus RX 350, received a Top Safety Pick award from the IHHS and scored an overall safety rating from the NHSTA of four out of five stars. The 2023 model year introduces a fully redesigned Lexus RX and begins the fifth-generation Lexus RX midsize luxury SUV. The interior of the 2023 RX 350 is what consumers have come to expect from a luxury SUV, offering excellent build quality, padded surfaces, soft-touch plastics, and advanced tech features.
Browse 2023 Lexus RX 350 listings here.
2023 Genesis GV80
Still a relatively new contender in the luxury SUV segment, the Genesis GV80 made its debut in the United States market in 2020 as a 2021 model year. Genesis has improved the GV80 over the past couple of years to the extent that U.S. News rates the 2023 Genesis GV80 as number two in the luxury midsize SUV segment, coming second to the Mercedes-Benz GLE and tying with a well-established rival, the BMW X5. The Genesis GV80 offers polished ride handling, muscular engine options, top-notch interior quality, and a large cargo area, making it ideal for midsize to large families.
The large cargo area brings practicality to the midsize luxury SUV segment, offering 84 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and optional third-row seats folded. The GV80 is offered in a five or seven-seat layout, with standard heated and power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. Genesis drops their rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant of the GV80 in the 2023 model year and outfits every GV80 with the same eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. There are two engine options for the 2023 GV80, a 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 375 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. The V6 engine option provides better acceleration when passing at higher speeds and achieves similar mpg ratings to the smaller engine.
Browse 2023 Genesis GV80 listings here.
2022 Audi Q7
Audi’s multiple SUV offerings can be found on almost any best-of-SUV list, with the 2022 Audi Q7 being the largest offering by Audi. The 2022 Q7 offers seating for up to seven, offering a cramped but available third row. Suppose luxury SUV thrills and coupe-like styling are what you seek. In that case, the Audi Q8 provides significantly more power and performance figures than the Q7. Still, the Q8 lacks third-row seating and offers significantly lesser cargo space than the Audi Q7.
The interior quality of the 2022 Audi Q7 is respectable for the midsize luxury SUV class, offering soft leather surfaces and wooden inlays. Audi outfits the 2022 Q7 with its MMI infotainment system, two responsive touchscreen displays, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit, a digital screen replacing traditional dials that reduces the driver’s need to look away from the road. Luxury upgrades are massaging and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, premium leather upholstery, and additional front-row power adjustments.
Browse 2022 Audi Q7 listings here.
2023 Land Rover Range Rover
Prestige is the first word that comes to many consumers’ minds when they hear Range Rover. The foundation of the Range Rover, however, is its Land Rover heritage. Land Rover builds two types of SUV models, an off-road-focused Land Rover model and a Range Rover luxury SUV model focused on comfort. All Land Rover models are known for their on and off-road capabilities and set the industry standard in the full-size SUV segment. The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover is fully redesigned, offering an even more impressive interior, increased practicality, and great fuel efficiency.
The top-of-the-line powertrain option is the P530 which outfits the Land Rover Range Rover with almost sports car ability sprinting from zero to sixty in 4.5 seconds. The P530 powertrain’s performance stems from a 523-horsepower twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The P530’s performance figures continue to impress, with a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, equal to the average pickup truck’s towing ability. The 2023 model year also introduces a plug-in-hybrid variant powertrain, the P440e, capable of towing 5,511 pounds and, according to Land Rover, will have an all-electric driving range of 48 miles on a full charge.
Browse 2023 Land Rover Range Rover listings here.
2022 Porsche Cayenne
Speaking of sports car ability, the originally controversial Porsche Cayenne is now a staple in Porsche’s lineup and is even offered as a Coupe. The 2022 Porsche Cayenne offers some of the best driving dynamics of any SUV, a plush interior, and exhilarating engine options. Porsche offers five trim levels for the Cayenne in the 2022 model year the base, S, GTS, Turbo, and Turbo GT. Each 2022 Cayenne model has its own engine ranging from the base 335 horsepower turbocharged V6 to the top-of-the-line twin-turbo V8 producing 631 horsepower.
The 2022 Porsche Cayenne is smaller than other midsize luxury SUVs on our list, offering lesser cargo space than rivals in the segment and only offering seating for up to five. What it lacks in cargo space, however, it more than makes up for with performance and ability. Porsche also backs the 2022 Cayenne with a four-year, 50,000-mile factory warranty regardless of the spec and offers one of the best-extended warranty programs in the industry.
Browse 2022 Porsche Cayenne listings here.
2023 Lincoln Navigator
Ranked as number one in large luxury SUVs by U.S. News, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator earned its spot on top of the list by offering a user-friendly infotainment system, ample passenger and cargo space, an upscale interior, and good fuel economy estimates. The Lincoln Navigator’s main competition, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, offers stronger engine options but does not achieve the gas mileage the Navigator obtains. The interior of the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is equal in quality and luxury amenities as other SUVs in its class, offering slightly less cargo space than another class competitor, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade.
Where the 2023 Lincoln Navigator shines is in its available driver-assistance features. Lincoln offers ActiveGlide, a partially automated driving experience, adaptive cruise control, a heads-up display, a surround-view parking camera system, and an automatic park assists feature in the 2023 Navigator. Lincoln is known for building luxury cars, and it earned its number-one spot in the large luxury SUV segment through years of knowledge and development. The Lincoln Aviator is the Navigator’s smaller midsize brother carrying many features that make the Navigator great but at a lesser price and smaller package. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln Aviator are both excellent choices for a luxury SUV; the decision comes down to how much space you need.
Browse 2023 Lincoln Navigator listings here.