Best luxury SUVs 2021

Some rivals are more practical and better to drive, but the Mercedes GLE has a dazzling interior and, on air suspension, is a comfortable cruiser. Go for the 400d and you also get one of the best diesel engines around; it blends effortless performance with good fuel economy, and is both smooth and quiet, even under hard acceleration.

The Range Rover Sport is cheaper than the full-sized Range Rover, yet is closely related under the skin, so doesn't feel even remotely like a poor relation. It’s a fantastic car for covering long distances, with a smooth engine and a relaxed ride. What's more, its interior is luxurious and generously equipped, and there's the option of seven seats. Land Rover's reliability record is a worry, though.

In addition to being the only all-electric SUV that can seat seven, the Model X is packed full of tech, surprisingly sharp to drive and capable of embarrassing sports cars in a straight line. Throw in a long range and Tesla's world-beating charging infrastructure, and it's hugely appealing. Our one complaint is that interior quality should be better given the high price.

Yes, you could buy a property for the same money, but would your three-bedroom house come with lambswool mats as standard? For the best of the best in interiors, the Cullinan swats away its rivals with a gloved hand, while also delivering effortless performance and superb refinement.

The latest version of Volvo's XC90 is enjoyable to drive and much smarter than its predecessor inside, yet it remains every bit as practical, with flexible seating and a huge boot. Only average refinement and a slightly unsettled ride stop it making the top five here.

The Bentley Bentayga may not be quite as sharp to drive as an Aston Martin DBX, or as cosseting as a Rolls Royce Cullinan, but it strikes a convincing compromise between the two, both in terms of its price and dynamics. In other words, it’s one of the most complete and compelling SUVs on sale today.

Much like its predecessor, the latest Discovery is a whopping great seven-seater that feels equally at home both on road and off it. However, today's car is much classier inside and better to drive. It's even pretty good value for money and slow to depreciate.

The only thing bigger than the X7’s gigantic front grille is the car itself, so if you’ve got a big budget and a big family, it should definitely be on your shortlist. As a bonus, the interior is as flashy as it is sturdy, and refinement is so impressive that someone in the third row can have a conversation with those up front without raising their voice.

The Audi Q7 is an incredible all-rounder, combining rapid acceleration with spacious seating for seven and class-leading interior quality. But its strongest suit of all is comfort; it soaks up impacts from speed bumps and other road imperfections with aplomb and demolishes long journeys like a private jet.

BMW's original X5 was one of the first road-focused 4x4s, and this latest model sticks closely to that car's winning formula, with good practicality and sharper handling than most rivals. These days you also get a lavish interior with the best infotainment system around, though. And if you opt for the xDrive45e plug-in hybrid version, the X5 is cheaper to run than rivals, not least because it can travel a whopping 54 miles on electric power.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here