Slideshow
The Best sports SUVs in 2026 reviewed and rated - and those to avoid
If you want performance, practicality — and an elevated driving position — the sports SUVs in our top 10 should be on your shortlist. We also reveal the models we'd avoid
Darren Moss
Updated: 21 February 2026
Best sports SUVs 2025 reviewed and rated - and those to avoid
Sports SUV buyers have an especially tough brief for their new car to fulfill – they want something that's fast, yes, and also fun to drive. But, and this is the kicker, it also needs to be family friendly. And that's hard to do, because getting something large and comfortable enough to be used as family transport inherently would make it slower and more cumbersome, right?
Not necessarily, because the best sports SUVs manage to be engaging to drive whether you're on a countryside B-road blast or the school run, and offer both luxury and space for your family to enjoy. In other words, they fulfill the utility part of the SUV brief, as well as the sports element.
Finding the best sports SUVs is a tough job, then, but it's something that our expert team of road testers is more than up to. They've spent thousands of hours behind the wheel of every sports SUV on the market, assessing them in all of the key areas which matter to buyers. That means driving each car hundreds of miles both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track.
Plus, to ensure that each car not only impresses on the right road but will also be a good fit for your family, we've crammed each car full of people and luggage.
The result is the list you see here, where we've named the 10 best sports SUVs you can buy, as well as the model which we think you're best off avoiding. Remember that if any of the cars here take your fancy, you can click the links through to our in-depth reviews to learn more about them, or see the latest discounts available through our free New Car Deals service.
Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile
advertisement
scroll for more
10: Audi SQ5
This go-faster version of the Audi Q5 family SUV gets a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine which is endowed with mild hybrid technology – designed to improve both your performance and your fuel economy. This means the SQ5 can sprint up to 62mph in just 4.5sec – a fraction faster than the rival BMW X3 M50 can manage, and quite a bit faster than the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43.
While the SQ5 will have you smiling as your speed increases, though, its brake response might make you frown, because it comes to a stop rather abruptly – and if you don't know it's coming, for example if you're a passenger, then the effect can be a bit jarring. Elsewhere, the SQ5 feels eager to turn into bends, and but a lack of steering consistency means that it's not as easy to place the big Audi where you want it as it would be in the rival BMW or Mercedes.
As you'd expect, the SQ5's interior is largely the same as that of the regular Q5, and that means it feels premium enough and that there's a decent amount of space to stretch out in. A couple of six-footers will find that they have plenty of room, even if they're sat behind equally tall people in the front.
"It's a bit of a shame that the SQ5's petrol engine doesn't have more of a sporty noise. It emits a pleasant enough burble, but rival sports SUVs offer more drama. " Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
10: Audi SQ5
Strengths
- Strong performance
- Supple yet controlled ride
- Lots of space for four people
Weaknesses
- Some rivals are more fun
- Inconsistent brake response
- Interior is more flash than plush
9: Porsche Macan Electric
While purists might gawk at the idea of a Porsche being fully electric, we'd argue that spending five minutes behind the wheel of the Porsche Macan Electric would lift their fears.
No matter which version you go for, you'll get a 95kWh (usable capacity) battery, but how far it'll take you depends on which version you go for – our recommended Turbo model can take you around 300 miles in real-world conditions. The Turbo is also the most powerful choice, with two motors delivering a combined 630bhp, allowing it to get to 62mph in just 3.3sec.
Not only is the Macan Electric fast, but it's also agile – its steering is noticeably better than rivals, offering quick responses and decent feedback. And despite weighing more than 350kg extra over the regular Porsche Macan, the Macan Electric manages to feel keener to change direction. That's especially true if you go for the optional four-wheel steering setup, which increases manoeuverability at low speeds.
"I like the fact that you get underfloor storage for the charging cables – although you lose that if you option the upgraded sound systems, which comes with a subwoofer that takes up space." Dan Jones, Reviewer
9: Porsche Macan Electric
Strengths
- Rapid in a straight line and entertaining in the bends
- Wonderful interior quality
- Excellent electric range
Weaknesses
- More expensive than its petrol counterpart
- You’ll want to add some (pricey) options
- Porsche reliability is a concern
8: Cupra Formentor
In its most powerful form, the Cupra Formentor has the performance to keep pace with some seriously sporty rivals, such as the BMW X2 M35i. If you go for that version, you'll get a 310bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine under the bonnet, which helps the car achieve a 0-62mph time of just 4.9sec.
Through corners, the Formentor is agile. What's more, there's plenty of grip, due to the wider tyres that come with the most powerful version. Mind you, it doesn't thrill in the way that the very best sports SUVs can. And ultimately, your money is likely better spent on one of the lesser versions, which still feel pleasantly peppy but won't cost you as much to run.
Inside, the Formentor is relatively well finished, featuring perforated leather and contrast stitching.
"The steering wheel mounted drive mode and engine starter buttons add a sporty feel to the Formentor, as does red ambient lighting. I enjoyed setting up the Cupra driving mode to my exact preference." Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor
8: Cupra Formentor
Strengths
- Very well equipped
- Surefooted and grippy handling
- Smart interior for the money
Weaknesses
- Not as practical as some family SUVs
- Fiddly dashboard controls
- Not the quietest car at 70mph
7: Audi SQ8
When the Audi SQ8’s 500bhp 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine rumbles into life, you immediately know you’re in for a treat. Not only does it sound good, it also offers impressive performance; 0-62mph takes just 4.1sec.
Despite its performance focus, the ride is comfortable and the air suspension deals with potholes well. That performance does come at a cost, though, with the SQ8 managing just 20mpg even if you drive it gently.
Although it's not as spacious as its seven-seat sibling, the Audi SQ7, it’ll fit three passengers in the rear pretty easily and they won't feel too hemmed in, even if they are tall.
"The range-topping Vorsprung SQ8 comes with electromechanical active roll stabilisation on the suspension. That means it has active anti-roll bars that prop up the vehicle up in corners to limit body roll without compromising ride quality." Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
7: Audi SQ8
Strengths
- Effortless performance and a great V8 noise
- Composed ride and tidy handling
- High-quality interior
Weaknesses
- Porsche Cayenne Coupé is more fun
- Distracting touchscreens
- Cheaper SQ7 is even more spacious
6: Audi RS Q8
The Audi RS Q8 is an outrageously fast SUV that can corner with incredible composure.
Like the cheaper SQ8, it has a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with a bassy exhaust note. But this RS model pumps out 592bhp, making it even quicker than its sibling, with a 0-62mph time of just 3.8sec.
The eight-speed automatic gearbox can be a little slow to react if you floor the accelerator, but it works well if you’re a little gentler, and the engine has so much grunt that it thrusts you forwards anyway.
The RS Q8 is well finished inside, and you get a decent-sized boot, making it more practical than some rivals. And, although it may seem pricey, it's cheaper than both the BMW X6 M Competition and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupé.
"Inside, the RS Q8 doesn’t look dramatically different from lesser Q8s, but it feels beautifully built and I like that you get a few racy features, including a G-meter, should you wish to know how much cornering force your passengers can withstand before they start to complain of motion sickness." Steve Huntingford, Editor
6: Audi RS Q8
Strengths
- Ballistic performance
- Handles like a much smaller car
- Great interior quality
Weaknesses
- Heavy fuel consumption
- Distracting infotainment system
- Gearbox can be sluggish
5: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
On paper, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has all the ingredients to make a cracking sports SUV. For one thing, it has a four-wheel drive system developed by Maserati, and for another, its 512bhp 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine is borrowed from Ferrari.
That engine is certainly powerful. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in a sports car-baiting 3.8sec, and keep going to a top speed of 176mph. You'd think that kind of power would be accompanied by an explosive soundtrack, but sadly the engine only sounds rorty once you engage race mode.
Remarkably for a big SUV, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn't feel like it weighs a few tonnes. Indeed, thanks to precise steering and the added agility of its four-wheel drive system, it feels surefooted as you weave it along a country road. Ride comfort isn’t as good as in the Porsche Macan, but the firm suspension set-up is by no means harsh.
Interior quality lags behind both the Macan and the Audi SQ5, but there is enough room for four average-sized adults – alongside a decent amount of luggage.
"Red-blooded drivers will fall for the Stelvio’s playful nature on a country road; power is biased towards the rear wheels in traditional sports car style. However, I don't think that it's as tidy or composed as the Macan." Dan Jones, Reviewer
5: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Strengths
- Entertaining handling
- Razor-sharp accelerator responses
- Generous standard kit
Weaknesses
- Engine only sounds good in Race mode
- Interior feels cheap in places
- Rear space is a bit tight
4: Ferrari Purosangue
Whether or not you consider the Ferrari Purosangue to be an SUV or not comes down to personal preference, but there's no arguing with its performance.
Under the long bonnet you'll find what is undoubtedly the car's crown jewel – a 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine. It produces 715bhp, will happily rev beyond 8000rpm before changing gear, and delivers the kind of sound which will have you prodding the accelerator pedal at every opportunity. As you'd expect, it delivers explosive acceleration, but we've also been impressed by how well wind and road noise are kept at bay – it's every bit as isolated and refined as you'd want a Ferrari SUV to be.
The sporty driving position places you low down inside the car, and you're surrounded by mostly plush materials. The one fly in the ointment is the infotainment system, which is laggy and isn't as easy to get along with as the systems in rivals. Adults of average size will just about squeeze into the Purosangue's rear seats, and we managed to fit five carry-on suitcases into the boot – enough for a weekend away, at least.
"Assuming you're wealthy enough to be considering one, I'd take a moment to check you can afford to keep your Purosangue running. It returned just 13mpg in our hands, while the C02 rating of 329g/km places it in the highest bracket for tax." Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor
4: Ferrari Purosangue
Strengths
- Dynamically, it rewrites the fast SUV playbook
- V12 engine will go down in history as one of the greats
- Glacial depreciation
Weaknesses
- Eye-wateringly expensive
- Not as spacious as rivals
- Almost as thirsty as a private jet
3: Porsche Macan
Above everything else, sports SUVs have to deliver fun – and the Porsche Macan does so in spades.
You can have a V6-engined version in S or GTS trim, but our pick, the Macan T, has more than enough power from its 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Like the Cayenne, the Macan T’s handling really helps it shine. It’s the most agile model in its line-up, because it's lighter than the larger-engined S and GTS. There’s also minimal body lean and you get lots of feedback through the steering.
The Macan has less rear space than both the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, though, and safety provisions are disappointing because most systems are optional extras.
"The Macan can be optioned with a 10.9in touchscreen for the front passenger that can display journey information or stream video from Netflix and other providers. I think that's useful, but it's also safe – a filter prevents it from being seen from the driver’s seat." Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
3: Porsche Macan
Strengths
- Performance ranges from punchy to rapid
- More rewarding to drive than most other SUVs
- High-quality interior
Weaknesses
- Some rivals are more spacious
- Important safety kit optional
- Thirsty petrol-only engines
2: Aston Martin DBX
Offering an immersive and interactive driving experience, wrapped in a luxurious package, the Aston Martin DBX is a more appealing all-round choice than the rival Bentley Bentayga or Lamborghini Urus.
Powered by a mighty 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, the DBX 707 – our favourite version – can sprint from 0-62mph in a startling, supercar-rivalling 3.3sec. That's seriously impressive for a car that weighs 2.2 tonnes.
Perhaps the best thing about the DBX, though, is the way it manages to combine its agile handling with a comfortable ride. Inside, you'll find a comfortable driving position which places you high above the road, and handy physical climate controls which mean you don't have to rely on the touchscreen for every operation.
"Fit and finish aren't quite up to Porsche standards, but the DBX is brightened inside by an eclectic mix of colours and materials. Even the driving mode selector knob can be colour matched to co-ordinate with the exterior trim." Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
2: Aston Martin DBX
Strengths
- Amazing acceleration and engine noise
- Great to drive yet mostly comfortable
- Roomy inside, with a big boot
Weaknesses
- As expensive to buy as you’d expect
- Very thirsty
- Not as solidly built as a Bentayga
1: Porsche Cayenne Coupé S
Value may be in the eye of the beholder, but we'd make the case that despite costing as much as it does, the Porsche Cayenne Coupé actually represents terrific value for buyers. And that's because, in the context of the sports SUV class, it out-performs significantly more expensive rivals such as the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus in almost every area.
All versions of the Cayenne Coupé feel more agile and grip better than anything weighing this much has any right to. Indeed, it's almost entirely devoid of body roll, meaning you can carry more speed and stability through corners – and that's especially true if you go for the optional adaptive air suspension. With this fitted, the Cayenne Coupé has a ride which feels as comfortable as that of a luxury car.
That luxury feeling extends to the Cayenne Coupé's interior, where you'll find upmarket materials coating every surface, as well as a superb 12.3in infotainment system that's easy to get along with.
Reinforcing our point on value is the fact that you don't need to go for the most expensive version of the Cayenne Coupé to get the most out of it. Indeed, it's the second run of the ladder, the S model, which is our pick. This gets you a rumbling 468bhp V8 petrol engine, and the ability to hit 62mph from a standing start in just 4.7sec. The soundtrack is also sublime, and for that reason alone we think the S is worth the upgrade over the V6 petrol engine fitted to entry-level Cayennes.
Given all of those talents, it's little wonder that we named the Cayenne Coupé as our Sports SUV of the Year at the most recent What Car? Car of the Year Awards.
"The stopwatch on the Cayenne Coupé's dashboard can be used to record track-day lap times – or, in my case, the time of my commute home; you simply press a button on the steering wheel at the start of each 'lap'." Doug Revolta, Head of Video
1: Porsche Cayenne Coupé S
Strengths
- Powerful engines
- Fantastic handling for a big SUV
- Classy interior
Weaknesses
- Expensive to run
- Stingy kit list
- Air suspension costs extra on some versions
And the sports SUV to avoid – Ford Puma ST
It used to be a favourite on this list, but sadly the Puma ST formula has been diluted so much in recent years that it's no longer worth recommending. The latest version is a pale imitation of the greatness which came before.
advertisement
scroll for more
News and advice
Feature
BMW iX3 long-term test
News
Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway gain new full hybrid power
News
New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita adds open-top thrills to urban quadricycle
Best of
Best seven-seat SUVs 2026 tried & tested – plus the one to avoid
News
Deal of the Day: Lease a Volkswagen T-Cross from £176 per month
Best of
