If you're in the market for a fast car, there are many enticing choices, but until recently prospective buyers of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) had limited options in satisfying their "need for speed." Now car makers have started listening to consumer demand, putting out SUV models that rival sports sedans in turbo-charged performance.
Starting at a whopping $88,900 in 2010, the BMW X6 M stakes its claim to speed with 555 horsepower and zero to sixty in 4.3 seconds. According to Edmunds, this is the fastest SUV they've ever tested, with only the Porsche Cayenne coming close.
Sleek and sporty, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S has been a mainstay in speedy SUVs for years, and this model's twin-turbocharged, 4.8 liter V8 engine packs 550 horsepower for a zero to 60 run of 4.4 seconds. At a starting price of $104,700, it's one of the most expensive SUVs on the market.
Putting its "Ultimate Driving Machine" tagline to the test, the BMW X5 M comes equipped with a twin-turbo V-8 engine that generates an astounding 555 horsepower, which means zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds. In addition to quality and performance, BMW's zero maintenance program means you'll likely only ever have to pay for new tires.
Combining luxury, speed and quality, the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG sports a 6.3 liter V8 engine and 503 horsepower, hitting 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. With a maximum speed of 155 mph, it's not quite as fast as the top-end SUVs, but for $91,000, it's fast enough.
Another luxury entrant, the Infiniti FX50 S is trying to lure BMW's clientele with a 390 horsepower SUV that goes from zero to 60 in five seconds. Not as supercharged as some of its competitors, but priced starting at $43,000, there's more bang for less bucks.
The fastest model Jeep makes, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 goes full-throttle with a 420 horsepower, 6.4 lilter Hemi V8 engine that streaks from zero to 60 in 4.8 seconds. Priced around $45,000, this is a less-expensive alternative to the luxury SUV brands.
A recognized brand for quality, Range Rover adds speed with the Sport 5 Supercharged, armed with a 510 horsepower, V8 engine that gets to 60 in 5.9 seconds. With luxury specs, however, comes a luxury starting price of $115,000.
Offering ample cabin room, great storage space, attractive design and reliable performance, the Cadillac Escalade is not only the largest luxury SUV on the road but one of the fastest. It hits zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds and comes with a 6.2 liter V8 engine that cranks 403 horsepower, a behemoth that moves like the wind.
The Chevy Trailblazer SS is durable enough to double as a great family car, but with a 6.0-liter, 395-horsepower V-8 engine, comparable to that of a Corvette, this SUV will hit 60 in 6.3 seconds and still give you great control of the road. With a starting cost under $40,000, you'll get near-luxury value at a reasonable price.
Manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, the Brabus GLK V12 is the world's fastest SUV, hitting a top-end speed of 200 mph. It's listed last because it's not available to the public, only by special order. With a roaring turbo V12, 750 horsepower engine, this boxy SUV hits 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, about the same as the BMW X6 M, but nothing can touch its maximum speed, and at $580,000, it's also the world's most expensive SUV.
