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Jul 20, 2023

These Luxury SUVs Are Built To Last

Sit behind the wheel of these top luxurious SUVs to not only ride comfortably, but do so with great peace of mind. SUVs are, as of today, one of the main preferences for a daily driver. And for good

Sit behind the wheel of these top luxurious SUVs to not only ride comfortably, but do so with great peace of mind.

SUVs are, as of today, one of the main preferences for a daily driver. And for good reasons: these vehicles offer space, comfort, the ability to sit a handful of passengers, and all while looking extremely cool. SUVs are capable machines, some come big, and some sacrifice their size to adopt a sportier look. And, as with most car segments, there exists a subcategory inside the SUV branch, focused on bringing the whole experience up a notch: the luxury SUV market.

Luxury SUVs are for those who want to go the extra mile. The latest technology? Just a touch away. Unique or exclusive details inside your car? Of course. A jaw-dropping look that will catch the eyes of many when you roar past them? This is it. Hopping inside a BMW, a Porsche, a Lincoln, etcetera, is a completely new experience. These SUVs are quite costlier than their standard alternatives, which acts as the main filter of who will and will not own one. And as with most things in a luxury car, repairs are not precisely the cheapest. Hence, if you're looking for a reliable SUV that won't break down on you each time you look away, here are some rides that might just do the trick.

We've sourced data for the content here presented from sources such as RepairPal, J.D. Power and Recalls List.

In terms of looks, the X1 promises to captivate. Its angry headlights, big grille, and low ride height, all work towards achieving that awe-inspiring appearance. But, as it's to be expected, a BMW has much more to it than just what's on the outside: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine will take you to 60 MPH in 6.7 seconds. This compact SUV has a stiff, sporty ride to it, further adding to the BMW idea of track-focused vehicles. What's more, the 2022 BMW X1 was the last year of the second generation of the model, reason why, you may find a unit at a reasonable bargain.

The first generation of X1s did not embody a truly reliable car, to be honest. But the second-gen X1 changes things, and most noticeably towards the end of its run. Consumer reviews at Edmunds give it a 4.1-star rating, with most comments praising things like its performance, as well as how the "eco drive" mode can do very well in terms of mileage. This SUV was also named J.D. Power's highest-quality Small Premium SUV of 2022.

The third — and current — generation of X1s has been somewhat criticized due to its lack of knobs. As 2023 X1s have ditched all physical control knobs for a multi-use screen or voice commands, people have started to value the analogue feel of things like air conditioning control in older models. That's another point for the 2022 BMW, since it's quite new, yet still retains those older features, all without becoming a pain to deal with like its predecessor. If you're looking for a compact German luxury SUV, yesteryear's BMW X1 might just tick all the boxes.

Related: 2023 BMW X1 Review: No Longer Just The Cheapest BMW Crossover, But Merely The Smallest

Cadillac's core model, some may argue. This one has turned into one of the most iconic luxury SUVs of all time. If you ask anyone to name a large, luxurious vehicle, the answer could very well be "a Cadillac Escalade". This full-sized SUV even made its way into the video game car culture, being a part of the Need for Speed Underground 2 roster, back in 2004. The current Escalade comes fitted with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, for undoubtable power, of course. There's consensus press-wise that the Cadillac Escalade also marks a step forward in the model's history, improving upon aspects the fourth generation couldn't quite ace.

Independent suspension, five trims to choose from — namely, Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum —, a surround system of over 30 speakers, and many more features are a part of the package that comes with owning a 2022 Escalade. And, to be noted, perhaps the most attractive feature of them all is the absurd amount of space this SUV has. After the large three rows of seats, you'll still find an incredible 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Need some extra ? Fear not, for the maximum capacity it can designate to cargo is a whopping one hundred and twenty-one (121.0) cubic feet. That's a big number right there.

The 2022 Escalade was recognized as J.D. Power's highest-quality Large Premium SUV of 2022. Also, Edmunds users give the 2022 Cadillac Escalade a solid 4.2-star rating. Customers seem to love its yacht drive-like feel, the space inside, the amount of technology available with one or another trim, its big, responsive engine, and the cruise control feature for longer vacation trips. If you're willing to pay the yearly cost of maintenance and the extra gas you'll have to buy to feed its V-8, you're good to go. We highly recommend you get an extended warranty, though, in case anything does go wrong.

Related: Here's The Cadillac Escalade Widebody Design That Makes The Escalade-V Look Puny

As far as luxury mid-sized SUVs go, Lexus has the high ground. It's one of the brands with the most appealing looks on the market as of today, and it has a knack for elegance, two very important things when it comes to choosing a lavish vehicle to cruise through life. The GX 460 is one of those examples: big, comfortable, attractive, elegant, and loved by its users. It comes standard as a four-wheel-drive, with all wheels fed torque by a 4.6-liter V-8 engine, which is more than alright, and matches its size. Some interior bits are quite old, yes, but the overall appearance and performance of the 2021 GX were, without a doubt, greatly executed.

Let's not forget the GX 460 is built on the same platform as the Toyota 4Runner, which will let you take your boat-on-wheels kind of ride off the pavement and into the unknown landscapes of the offroad. That's love at first sight for anyone looking for a capable, yet still super luxurious SUV. 301 horsepower will be your companion for when in need of acceleration, climbing, or a good roar, while a trunk space of 11.6 cubic feet will be waiting to put the U of Utility in the SUV acronym. Without the third row of seats, this number grows to 47 cubic feet.

Rated with a 4.3-star average on Edmunds, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 positions itself as one of the favorite SUVs of the segment. Also, the fact that the GX shares the 4Runner's platform is an instant indicator of reliability. Owners often praise the smooth ride it provides, as well as comfortable seats, powerful engine, and the fact that it offers a luxurious vehicle without sacrificing the offroad and cargo capabilities.

Related: The All-New Lexus GX Is Coming: Here's What To Expect

If your main worry when searching for an SUV is its performance, look no further. Smaller than its famous brother the Cayenne, the Porsche Macan came to the markets nearly ten years ago, to populate the compact subcategory with the numbers the German manufacturer is known for. A 2.0-liter inline-four fitted with a turbocharger, all live under the hood to provide 248 ponies, and a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. Plus, you get the iconic Porsche look in a car that welcomes your entire family onboard.

The base trim is impressive enough, but if you're really in need of power and speed, the top trim, the 2019 Porsche Macan Turbo, is the one you're looking for. Powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6, it produces 434 horsepower, which are able to launch you to 60 miles per in an impressive 4.3 seconds if you get it with the Sport Chrono performance package, and 4.5 seconds if you don't. Impressive to say the very least, for a car that weighs almost 4,300 pounds. It may not be huge, or have three rows of seats, but what it does have is power. Lots of it, and in any of the four trims you decide to go with.

The 2019 Porsche Macan is a highly-rated SUV on Edmunds, with a 4.6-star rating average across 40 reviews. Users often comment about its acceleration, its ability to avoid problems just with 10,000-mile services plus basic maintenance, and the quality of its interior, both in terms of luxury and technology. If those reviews are a good sign, this might be your chance to get your hands on, arguably, the fastest reasonably priced SUV out there.

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With a strong passion for the automobile world since he was a child, Felipe, a music producer and DJ, has grown to love cars big and small. He loves mid-2000s Audis as much as he loves writing, and it's his dream to have an A4 for a daily one of these days. He also works as an Editor and Writer at EDMTunes, covering the latest happening in the Electronic Music industry.