10 Most Expensive SUVs in the World

2019 Lamborghini Urus White Side Profile ・ Photo by Lamborghini

Hooray - the 10 most expensive SUVs in the world are not so much of a strain on the bank account as the world’s most expensive cars. When we get into Bugatti and Ferrari hypercars, we’re talking millions. Although a couple of these SUVs break into seven figures, several are around the much more reasonable third-of-a-million mark.

Most of them are luxurious, some are fast and luxurious, and a couple have extreme off-roading hardware. It makes sense for luxury to be the main quality, since SUVs always are going to be big and heavy. So, companies and buyers might as well maximize such attributes. Join us as we explore a world that excels at excess.

2020 Aston Martin DBX

Hey, if Porsche can make an SUV and put its finances on a surer footing, why not Aston Martin? Apparently, the company already is setting up a separate construction facility for this aluminum-intensive super-SUV and an electric sport sedan. There has been a two-door concept, but it’s a safe bet that the real model will have four doors.

It’s expected to go on sale later in 2019 or early 2020 with propulsion provided initially by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 sourced from Mercedes-Benz. There also are mutterings about an all-electric version and a hybrid with a V6. The estimated starting price is around $250,000, but don’t be surprised if that creeps up toward $300,000 when the production version is finalized.

Photo by Aston Martin

2019 Bentley Bentayga W12

This is the supreme version of Bentley’s high-dollar, high-comfort, high-capability SUV. It has a 12-cylinder engine in a W configuration (think of two V setups sharing a crankshaft) that’s turbocharged to produce 600 hp. The starting price of $231,825 is pretty high, but clients can find plenty more ways to throw extra thousands into it, including seating for four up to seven, different kinds and colors of leather, various wood trims, 700-watt Naim audio system (which is fantastic, but almost $10,000), and a Breitling timepiece.

Then again, each Bentayga is virtually hand-made and — apologies for sounding unscientific — there’s an aura to it that doesn’t happen with mass-produced vehicles. It might be merely psychological, but it’s still perceptible.

Photo by Bentley

Icon TLC

The TLC part comes from the company’s background of restoring and improving Toyota Land Cruisers. This Los Angeles-based company has since branched out to include versions of the Bronco that its makers could never have envisioned. But let’s stick with the Land Cruiser, or the Icon FJ models, as the company refers to them. Icon takes a “donor” vehicle, strips it down to the bare frame, and builds up from there with whatever the client wants.

Like the Bentley Bentayga, this is a hand-made SUV. Pricing can run past $200,000 and reach seven figures. But these Icon creations are highly respected, collectable, and each one is an individual creation. People who buy bespoke suits and shoes will understand that exclusivity never comes cheap.

Photo by TLC4X4

Karlmann King

It could be argued that just because something costs a fortune, it’s not necessarily the best of its kind. Of our 10 most expensive SUVs in the world, this is the most expensive, at around $2.2 million. Made in Europe and designed by a Chinese company, the Karlmann King is a limited run of 12 examples.

It’s based on the Ford F-550 commercial vehicle chassis and uses that company’s 6.8-liter V10 engine. The thing is, the Karlmann King weighs around five tons, or more than 6.5 tons if a buyer selects the armor plating option. Yet the engine only makes 395 hp and top speed is about 87 mph. If trying to escape a gang of kidnappers, this might not be ideal.

Photo by Karlmann King

2019 Lamborghini Urus

We love this thing. From the sports-car-like looks to the supercar-like performance to the amazing adaptive suspension, there are so many aspects to the Urus that help justify its $200,000 price.

Carbon ceramic brake discs (they’re massive), which normally are costly options in other manufacturers’ cars, are standard here. And if that sounds like overkill, keep in mind that the Urus can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds before hitting 189.5 mph about nine seconds later. That phenomenal acceleration comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 generating 641 hp. It’s uncanny how this SUV can feel equally at home flying over sand dunes or clipping apexes on the race track.

Photo by Lamborghini

2020 Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography LWB

Range Rovers are usually at the high end of “everyday” luxury suvs, but the lineup also extends into the super-rich area. Perhaps that’s a reaction to newer high-luxe contenders like the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This model is the plushest Range Rover available, built on a long wheelbase and powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 creating 557 hp.

Sitting on heated/massaging seats covered in fine leather with diamond-patterned stitching, while running a hand over Palisander wood trim, feet on mohair mats and perhaps grabbing a drink from the chiller, it’s hard to imagine anyone not being perfectly happy with such a high level of sumptuousness. This 2020 model is available in late summer 2019, starting at $210,795.

Photo by Range Rover

Mil-Spec Automotive Launch Edition

The Hummer seems to be the all-American SUV that would not die. Mil-Spec does to the HUMMER H1 what Icon TLC does to the Toyota Land Cruiser. An old H1 serves as the basis, then the company does things like adding USB ports, Bluetooth, heavy duty air conditioning, and a more refined diesel engine than the rattly unit that propelled the original.

This turbocharged 6.6-liter V8 makes a deeply impressive 500 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. The rejuvenated result is far more tolerable to drive than the original desert stormers. The starting price is in the region of $220,000, but getting extravagant with options (800 hp and 1,700 lb-ft of torque, for example) could push the final amount close to $300,000.

Photo by Mil-Spec Automotive

2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

If you absolutely have to buy one of the 10 most expensive SUVs in the world, you might as well be sensible about it and get this. Rolls-Royce arguably is the most respected name in luxury conveyances. It’s certainly no unproven upstart, despite the Cullinan being the first SUV from this marque.

A team of artisans builds each vehicle by hand using the finest materials, while offering clients the scope for personalizing the smallest details. Under the imposing hood is a 6.75-liter V12 engine that endows the Cullinan with 563 hp. An air suspension brings a wafting ride. Active anti-roll bars and a low-range transmission provide off-road talents. Starting at $325,000, chances are most buyers will order plenty of extras.

Photo by Rolls-Royce

2020 Mercedes-Maybach GLS

As well as being one of the 10 most expensive SUVs in the world, the upcoming Mercedes-Maybach GLS will be the most expensive high-volume passenger vehicle made in the United States. There’s no official pricing yet, but starting at around $200,000 is a fair estimate.

Mercedes-Benz has assigned production to its Alabama plant where the regular GLS-Class full-size SUV also is made. Maybach is the company’s ultra-luxury sub-brand, which so far only has been applied to limousine versions of the S-Class sedan. This is the next logical step, making the most of the spacious cabin provided by the new-generation GLS. A turbocharged V8 is anticipated to bring at least 560 hp into the engine bay.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe

It’s a strange turn of events when a Porsche is the least expensive alternative, but that’s what we have here. And that’s despite this new body style variant (a “coupe” whose relation to the regular Cayenne is similar to the BMW X6 and X5), and a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 generating 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque. This sends the Cayenne Turbo Coupe blasting from standstill to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and enables a top speed of 177 mph.

By virtue of being a Porsche, we also expect the dynamics to be exemplary; a carbon fiber roof is offered as an option. The starting price is $131,350. Models reach the dealerships in fall 2019.

Photo by Porsche