10 Best Large Luxury SUVs for 2015

2105 Cadillac Escalade ・ Photo by General Motors

For affluent families with a lot going on, one of the ten best large luxury SUVs will suitably fill their transportation needs. Manufacturers have worked very hard to ensure it. Taking note of the fact most SUVs spend more time transporting toddlers than toughing it out on trails, ever more carlike attributes have been included to make them ride and handle like the luxury cars. As a result, some of the best large luxury SUVs are capable of delivering performance equal to sports sedans; while others focus on delivering a comfortably smooth ride and easy handling like traditional luxury sedans. For even more sweetening, all are outfitted with the latest up-market luxury features.

So check out our ten of the best large luxury SUVs that can move you in style.

2015 Audi Q7

In the overall scheme of things, Audi came late to the large luxury SUV party. However, sometimes coming late has certain advantages; you can scope out the hits and misses of the competition and focus your efforts around proven elements. This is precisely what Audi did with the Q7 when it was first shown back in 2005. However, since Audi hasn’t really done much to improve it since, as good as it is, the Q7 is starting to show its age. Still, nobody does interiors like Audi and the Q7’s cabin is positively masterful in both beauty and comfort. Power comes from a choice of two engines. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 makes 333 horsepower and 325 ft-lbs of torque. The Q7 TDI gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 with 240 horsepower and 406 ft-lbs of torque. Both use eight-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $48,300.

Photo by Audi Media Services

2015 BMW X5

BMW’s X5 was the first vehicle of its type to come to market with a decided focus on outstanding performance on pavement. In typical BMW fashion, the X5 is first and foremost all about the driver. If you need large luxury sport utility vehicle, but don’t want to sacrifice driving pleasure, the X5 should definitely be on your short list of test drives. Three engines are offered; the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six makes 300 horsepower and 300 ft-lbs of torque. The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbodiesel makes 255 horsepower and 413 ft-lbs of torque, while the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 makes 445 horsepower and 480 ft-lbs of torque. All are teamed with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission; while the gasoline fired six can also be had with rear-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $53,900.

Photo by BMW Media

2015 Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac of large luxury SUVs, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade is the rolling personification of everything good about America. Capable of seating up to eight people, the Escalade is generously spacious, outstandingly comfortable, and very equipped with all of the latest luxury features you could possibly expect to find in a large luxury SUV. Completely redone for the 2015 model year, the Escalade now boasts styling wholly reminiscent of President Obama’s state limousine. Long story short, the all-new 2015 Escalade is easily one of the class leaders. Designed strictly for the street, power comes from a 6.2-liter V8 good for 420 horsepower and 460 ft-lbs of torque. An eight-speed automatic is employed to route power to the rear wheels – or all four when the all-wheel drive option is selected. Pricing starts at $72,970.

Photo by General Motors

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee can go absolutely anywhere and look very good doing so. Back in 2011, the Grand Cherokee’s significant redesign moved it up several classes in terms of standard equipment, luxury features, and perception. As a result, today’s Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts a thoroughly contemporary interior treatment and state of the art comfort and convenience. Power comes from a choice of four engines. The 3.6-liter V6 makes 290 horsepower and 260 ft-lbs of torque. The 5.7-liter V8 makes 360 horsepower and 390 ft-lbs of torque. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel is good for 240 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs of torque, and the 6.4-liter V8 makes 475 horsepower and 470 ft-lbs. All are teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The 3.6-liter V6 can also be had with rear-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $29,995.

Photo by Jeep

2015 Land Rover Range Rover

Utter the phrase “large luxury SUV “ in certain circles and visions of the Land Rover Range Rover will appear in the heads of listeners. Considered by many to be the Rolls-Royce of sport utility vehicles, there is no question the Range Rover is absolutely the most luxurious mass-produced mainstream large SUV out there. What’s more, the Land Rover Range Rover will take you anywhere on earth a wheeled motor vehicle could possibly travel. And, quite frankly, more than few places most of them can’t. Yeah, it’s that good. Power comes from a choice of two engines. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 makes 340 horsepower and 332 ft-lbs of torque, while the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 produces 510 horsepower and 461 ft-lbs of torque. Pricing starts at $83,495.

2015 Lexus LX 570/2015 Toyota Land Cruiser

While not absolutely identical, they are close enough to be covered in the same entry. Both are equally capable of mastering soccer fields and boulder fields as they are built on the same platform – although the Lexus is finished a bit more nicely. Regardless though, one of the true benefits of the LX 570/Land Cruiser is the fact the tech underpinnings are decidedly old school. When it comes to maintenance costs, this has proven advantageous. Power for the Lexus comes from a 5.7-liter V8 with 383 horsepower and 403 ft-lbs of torque (the Toyota gives up two horsepower and two ft-lbs of torque to the Lexus with the same displacement). Their four-wheel drive powertrains are tied together with a six-speed automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $80,155 for the Toyota, and $83,180 for the Lexus.

Photo by Lexus

2015 Lincoln Navigator

Freshly reworked for the 2015 model year, Lincoln’s Navigator was the first American large luxury SUV to hit the market back in 1998. Navigator was also the first Lincoln to offer four-wheel drive. The Lincoln is a relaxing highway cruiser with a broad array of luxury features, comfortable seating, and serene quiet. Another first; the Lincoln Navigator is the first full-size American luxury SUV to come to market without a V8 engine in its feature set. Thanks to parent corporation Ford’s outstanding work with turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and variable valve timing, Navigator gets just about as much power out of a V6 as its rivals get from V8s, plus better fuel economy; 380 horsepower and 460 ft-lbs of torque to be exact. A six-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive are standard; four-wheel drive is optional. Pricing starts at $61,920.

Photo by Ford Media

2015 Mercedes-Benz GL

The Mercedes-Benz of large luxury SUVs, the GL-Class seats seven and is more than up to the task of dealing with a wide range of roads and conditions. As you’d expect from a company whose tagline is “The Best or Nothing.” all componentry, fit, and finish are first class, as is the list of standard features. Power comes from a choice of four engines. The diesel is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 240 horsepower and 455 ft-lbs of torque; there’s also a 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline-fired V6 good for 362 horsepower and 369 ft-lbs of torque. The 4.6-liter turbocharged V8 makes 429 horsepower and 516 ft-lbs of torque, while the 5.5-liter twin turbocharged V8 makes 550 horsepower and 560 ft-lbs. All use seven-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $63,600.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz Media

2015 Porsche Cayenne

It’s almost as if the people at Porsche enjoy courting controversy. In addition to building SUVs, the marque’s product team upped the potential for concern by making it the first diesel-powered Porsche in 2009. Now they have Cayenne relying primarily on V6 engines. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel makes 240 horsepower and 406 ft-lbs of torque. The 420-horsepower gasoline-fired 3.6-liter produces 406 ft-lbs of torque. Another version of the 3.6-liter engine makes 440 horsepower and 443 ft-lbs. of torque. There’s also a 416-horsepower hybrid with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and 435 ft-lbs. At the top of the heap remains the 4.8-liter turbocharged V8 with 520 horsepower and 553 ft-lbs. All engines get eight speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $58,300.

2016 Volvo XC90

An early 2016 model, Volvo’s all-new XC90 comes out of the gate as one of the ten best large luxury SUVs. Yes, we know the words “Volvo” and “safety” are synonymous, but when you’re talking about a family vehicle, that’s exactly what you want to hear. The 2016 model boasts a whole new look, a new stronger body structure (which is saying a lot because the old one was built like bank vault), and a more fuel-efficient powertrain. What hasn’t changed is the beautifully understated Swedish luxury you find in all of Volvo’s flagship models. Power comes from the segment’s first supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Output is 316 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs of torque. An eight speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. Pricing starts at $48,900.

Photo by Volvo Cars