These 5 uber-SUVs are surprisingly practical performers

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There are luxury sport-utes, and then there are luxurious uber-utes with equal parts speed, refinement, and luxury. The ones we’ve rounded up here are uber in every sense, including their ability to tow at least 3,000 kilograms.

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Now, some of these do require options and/or model upgrades to get the very best out of each ride. But without further ado, here are our top five, ranging from almost attainable to outrageously priced.

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These 5 uber-SUVs are surprisingly practical performers Back to video

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: $119,340

Read the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s spec sheet and it isn’t difficult to understand why it’s so highly regarded. It gets a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 pushing 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque through an upgraded eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Jeep’s Quadra-Trac active on-demand all-wheel-drive system. The SRT-tuned system comes with launch control and has five drive modes, including Track. Throw in an upgraded suspension with adaptive Bilstein dampers, millimetre-precise steering, Brembo brakes with slotted rotors, and 20-inch wheels wearing 295/45 high-performance Pirelli tires, and you get the picture — to state the obvious, it’s one very serious machine.

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This tells half the story. It also arrives with power 12-way Nappa leather seats with suede inserts and an Alpine sound system with nine speakers, a subwoofer, and a 506-watt amplifier, plus customizable instrumentation and arguably the easiest infotainment system to use . The Uconnect infotainment has an 8.4-inch touchscreen that also houses the SRT Performance Pages app.

The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk not only runs from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, it does the 80-120 km/h passing move in 2.4 seconds. It’ll also tow a 3,265-kilogram trailer.

Audi RS Q8: $125,000

Audi has RS’d many models; the RS Q8 is the latest . It arrives with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that works with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The combination pushes 591 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all four wheels. In this application, the Quattro system sends 60 per cent of the drive to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front, giving the RS Q8 that all-important rear-drive feel. However, the system can send up to 85 per cent of the power rearward or up to 70 per cent to the front wheels, as needed. The drivetrain can be tailored to suit the tone of the drive and includes two driver-configurable RS buttons — one touch transforms the RS Q8 from luxury crossover to track demon.

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To keep things shiny-side-up, the RS Q8 has an air suspension with adaptive dampers and four-wheel steering. On top of that, you can add everything from active torque vectoring, to a massive set of ceramic brakes and P295/35ZR23 performance tires. All of this builds on the RS Q8’s innate ability.

The cabin follows the exterior’s bold lead. The RS Q8’s sport bucket seats are wrapped in Valcona leather and have a honeycomb pattern that mirrors the grille. Audi’s fully reconfigurable Virtual Cockpit instrumentation and a solid MMI infotainment system further dress things up. In this case, the RS uses the latest dual-screen infotainment setup, complete with the ability to show key performance data.

The RS Q8 runs from rest to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, it does the 80-120 km/h passing move in 2.3 seconds. It can tow a 3,500-kilogram trailer.

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Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic: $203,000

While the Land Rover Range Rover has a starting price of $114,000 the only way to go is top shelf. In this case, it means the SVAutobiography Dynamic . It arrives with a 5.0L supercharged V8 tweaked to produce 557 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. It works with an eight-speed automatic and a serious all-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case, along with Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 tech. This system adapts the engine, transmission, active-locking rear differential, adaptive air suspension, and active roll control to the suit driving conditions. At one end of the spectrum it allows the SVAutobiography Dynamic to ford 900-millimetres of water when off-road; at the other end it improves high-speed stability and steering precision.

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The luxury is found in the quilted leather, 24-way heated and cooled front seats with enhanced massage function, leather headliner, and the soulful Meridian Signature sound system with no less than 29 speakers. Don’t fret, the rear-seat riders luxuriate in executive-class aircraft-style seating.

The Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic has a trailer towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. One particularly neat feature is the Advanced Tow Assist system, which allows the driver to control the direction of the trailer through a console-mounted controller. When backing up, the system shows the predicted path of the trailer in the infotainment touchscreen and calculates the precise steering input required.

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Unhitched, SVAutobiography Dynamic brings a run from rest to 100 km/h of 5.4 seconds and an 80-120 km/h passing time of 3.3 seconds.

Bentley Bentayga Speed: $350,000 (est.)

While there are numerous Bentley Bentayga models for 2020, including a hybrid , the model of choice is the Speed — according to Bentley, it’s the world’s fastest production SUV. Shoehorned under the expansive hood is a 6.0L twin-turbo W12 that produces 626 horsepower and, more importantly, 664 lb.-ft. of torque anywhere between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. It works with an eight-speed automatic and an advanced all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen centre differential and an electronic-locking rear differential. Under normal driving conditions, it splits the power 40/60 front/rear.

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Along with an air suspension with four height settings and active damper control comes Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system. It’s an active roll control system that uses a 48-volt network to counter unwanted body roll. This maximizes traction and high-speed stability without sacrificing ride comfort during normal driving. The four on-road driving modes deliver comfort at one end, and athletic dynamics on the other. Sport mode amps the engine and transmission responses, firms up the suspension, and reduces body roll. There are also four off-road modes — but one has to wonder why.

A bespoke interior is the hallmark of the brand. The Speed continues Bentley’s tradition of exquisite detail and handcrafted exactitude using the best materials. It also has everything from 22-way power front seats with massage function and classy carbon fibre panels, to Bentley’s rear-seat entertainment system and mood lighting.

The Speed wafts its riders from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, it does the 80-120 km/h passing move in 2.7 seconds, and it can tow a 3,500 kg trailer. For 2021, the Bentayga is refreshed with a look bringing it more in-line with the rest of Bentley’s models.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan: $410,000 (est.)

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Sitting at the pinnacle of the uber-ute spectrum is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan — it’s named after the world’s largest diamond. Sitting behind the Spirit of Ecstasy crest is a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 that eases 563 hp and 627 lb.-ft. of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all four wheels. The transmission uses navigation data to shift into in the correct gear for whatever lies ahead. The all-wheel-drive system splits the power evenly (50/50) between the front and rear axle,  and uses the active air springs to push the wheels into in the road or dirt if it senses grip is lacking.

To ensure the requisite ride quality, those same air suspension bits and electronically controlled dampers work with stereo cameras to read the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly. This work is supported by four-wheel steering and a 48-volt active roll control system. There is an Off-Road mode that unleashes the Cullinan’s full capability. Again, why?

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The Cullinan is not luxurious — it’s ultraluxe . In this rarefied atmosphere having trim levels would be so gauche, so the customer can have whatever they want — for a price, of course. From the colour of the leather to the rear seat configuration, everything is crafted using old-world skill and the finest materials available. In the back, standard lounge seating accommodates three adults; the optional two-seat configuration the riders are separated by a centre console that hides a fridge and a pair of champagne flutes. More glass is found in the panel that separates the rear riders from the luggage area. Of course, the sound system is a bespoke Rolls-Royce unit.

The Cullinan wafts its riders from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, does the 80-120 km/h passing move in 3.4 seconds, and it will tow a 3,500-kilogram trailer.

Which one should you buy?

For most, these five uber-utes will require a substantial lottery win to get into the game, but that does not detract from their overt appeal. Each delivers a superb blend of on-road pace and extraordinary grace. The fact most have more than a little off-road ability puts the punctuation mark at the end of a beautifully-crafted experience.