SUVs cover the gamut of the car market. The popularity of the segment brought about SUVs that are faster than some sports cars, can tow more than some trucks, that are small, huge, fuel efficient, and not. In the year of Our Lord, 2025, SUVs can do it all.
While this is good news for people who want to drive an SUV and sacrifice nothing, it can also be overwhelming to navigate such a crowded segment. We take a good, hard look at the SUV market and offer these 10 powerhouse SUV models that kind of manage to do it all. These SUVs are powerful, can pull heavy stuff, and still take the family on a cross-country road trip.
Forget The New Stuff: These 10 Classic SUVs Just Won’t Quit
10Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most important SUVs ever made. Its years of production prove its reputation as an unstoppable machine forged in the wild and refined over decades of global adventure. It is the last word in reliability, a vehicle that shrugs off nearly everything.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 2.4-Liter Turbocharged Hybrid Inline-Four |
| Transmission | Eight-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower | 326 Horsepower |
| Torque | 465 LB-FT |
| Driveline | Four-Wheel Drive |
| 0-60 MPH | 6 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 110 MPH |
| Towing Capacity | 6,000 LBS |
With its bulletproof drivetrain, body-on-frame construction, and a lineage that traces back to the 1950s, the Land Cruiser is one of the rare machines that feels equally suited for the apocalypse or a weekend camping trip. It doesn’t just take you places—it makes the world feel smaller, more accessible, reminding you that with the right gear and the right mindset, there are few places it can’t reliably take the family.
9Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is foundational to the world of SUVs. Some might even argue that the Bronco is more than just an SUV. From its first-generation debut in 1966, designed to take on the toughest trails with a compact, no-nonsense build, to the legendary full-size models of the ‘70s and ‘80s that became synonymous with adventure, the Bronco has carved out a reputation for rugged capability. Even during its years in hibernation, its legacy loomed large, a symbol of freedom and exploration.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 |
| Drivetrain | 4WD |
| Horsepower | 418 horsepower |
| Torque | 465 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 4.5 seconds |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Top Speed | 120 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 6,000 lbs |
Now, with its latest generation, Ford has reignited that spirit, blending vintage design cues with modern off-road tech—locking differentials, G.O.A.T. modes, and a removable roof. The next chapter of the Bronco promises buckets of fun, capability, and, for the first time in the model’s long history, a smidge of efficiency, with the base engine returning 20 combined MPG.
8Jeep Wrangler
Everyone always wants to find an SUV that’s “more than just an SUV,” but the best thing about the Jeep Wrangler is that it’s just an SUV, at least until the last few years. These are direct descendants of the battle-hardened Willys that helped win World War II and then went on to conquer trails, deserts, and just about every corner of the globe. Built with an unshakable body-on-frame design, solid axles, and the kind of no-frills, go-anywhere attitude that makes other SUVs look like grocery-getters, the Wrangler has spent decades proving that capability matters more than comfort.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 6.4-liter Hemi V8 |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 470 Horsepower |
| Torque | 470 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
| Driveline | 4WD |
| 0-60 mph | 4.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 111 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs |
The Wrangler is still a popular choice for purists, the kind that measure a road trip in mud splatter and rock scrapes. But even legends evolve, and today’s Wranglers—particularly the four-door models—bring something Jeep had long disregarded as frivolous: space and refinement. With more interior room, smoother ride quality, and modern tech, the latest Wranglers finally offer comfort without compromising the off-road prowess that made them famous. It’s this current iteration, with its growing cabin and monster Hemi, that filled out the Jeep line into a proper powerhouse SUV that can do it all.
7Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is the definition of a powerhouse SUV—big, bold, and built to handle just about anything you throw at it. With a stout V8 engine under the hood, a rugged body-on-frame design, and enough towing capacity to haul boats, trailers, or anything else that needs moving, the Tahoe is as comfortable on the job site as it is on a family road trip.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 6.2-liter V8 |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Horsepower | 433 horsepower |
| Torque | 467 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 5.6 seconds |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Top Speed | 118 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 7,900 lbs |
Its spacious interior seats up to nine, blending truck-like toughness with modern tech and luxury, making it just as suited for cross-country travel as it is for off-road adventures. Whether you need muscle, versatility, or just a commanding presence on the road, the Tahoe delivers, proving that full-size capability and everyday practicality can go hand in hand.
6Toyota 4Runner
While most of these SUVs are huge and powerful, there is more that goes into a powerhouse SUV than just the horsepower figures. The Toyota 4Runner is an impossible SUV to deny. The Toyota 4Runner is a powerhouse SUV because it defines old-school durability and modern versatility. Built on a rugged body-on-frame chassis with available locking differentials and serious off-road capability, the 4Runner is one of the last true adventure-ready SUVs in a market flooded with soft-roaders.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 2.4-Liter Turbocharged i-FORCE MAX Inline-Four Hybrid |
| Transmission | Eight-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower | 326 Horsepower |
| Torque | 465 LB-FT |
| Driveline | Four-Wheel Drive |
| 0-60 MPH | 6 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 110 MPH |
| Towing Capacity | 5,800 LBS |
Its legendary 4.0L V6 may not be the most cutting-edge, but it’s bulletproof—designed to run for hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal fuss. At the same time, the 4Runner is practical enough for daily driving, offering a spacious interior, ample cargo room, and a commanding view of the road. Simply put, the 4Runner does it all thanks to its dependability and toughness.
5Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade might feel like a departure from the rest of this list, but make no mistake; it is the definition of a powerhouse SUV. Unlike the rest of this list, the Cadillac isn’t likely to travel far off the paved road, but it’s really not meant to. The Cadillac Escalade is more of a pleasure cruiser than an SUV.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 6.2-Liter Supercharged V-8 |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower | 682 Horsepower |
| Torque | 653 LB-FT |
| Driveline | AWD |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.4 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 125 MPH |
| Towing Capacity | 7,000 lbs |
Since its debut in 1999, it has redefined what a luxury SUV can be, blending full-size capability with the kind of opulence usually reserved for high-end sedans. Built on a truck-based platform with a powerful V8 engine, the Escalade delivers serious towing capability and road presence while surrounding its passengers with high-end materials, cutting-edge technology, and an unmistakable prestige.
It became the go-to SUV for celebrities, executives, and anyone looking for a combination of luxury and muscle. Today’s Escalade takes things even further with its advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving, massive OLED displays, and an available high-performance V-Series model, proving that an SUV can be both a powerhouse and a luxury icon.
4Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The Mercedes G-Class combines military-grade toughness with jumper-crust luxury. Originally designed as a rugged off-roader for military use, the G-Wagon has evolved into one of the most capable and prestigious SUVs on the market. With its boxy, tanky design, locking differentials, and ladder-frame construction, it can conquer extreme terrain with ease—yet inside, it’s a world of handcrafted leather, high-tech infotainment, and premium comfort.
Most Powerful Powertrain Specifications
| Engine | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 mild hybrid |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 577 horsepower |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft |
| Driveline | 4WD |
| 0-60 mph | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 137 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 7,000 pounds |
Under the hood, models like the AMG G 63 pack a twin-turbo V8 that delivers staggering performance, making this off-road beast just as dominant on city streets. The G-Class is a status symbol that proves you don’t have to choose between brute strength and high-end refinement as long as you have the bread to pay (a lot) for both.
3Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender has long been an icon of rugged capability, engineered to conquer the world’s harshest environments while maintaining a refined British charm. Much like the Jeep Wrangler and G-Wagen, the Defender has a long legacy of rugged military applications. It combines a go-anywhere attitude with modern engineering, making it one of the most versatile SUVs ever built.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 5.0-liter supercharged V8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 493 horsepower |
| Torque | 450 lb-ft |
| Driveline | AWD |
| 0-60 mph | 4.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 149 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 8,200 pounds |
Its aluminum monocoque chassis, advanced all-wheel-drive system, and Terrain Response technology allow it to adapt effortlessly to mud, sand, rock, and snow. While earlier Defenders were known for their spartan interiors and utilitarian design, the latest models inject luxury into the rough-hewn classic, featuring high-tech infotainment, premium materials, and a smooth, composed ride. The pinnacle of this evolution is the most recent Defender outfitted with a twin-turbo V8, delivering monster power while still having a pinch of its hard-nosed past.
2Audi RS Q8
The big Audi SUV is a bit different from some of the rest on this list, but when it comes to powerhouse SUVs, you really can’t act like the big boys with nearly 600 horsepower don’t exist. The Audi RS Q8 might not crush the rough track, but what it lacks in off-roadability, it makes up for in basically being a sports car. Beneath its aggressive exterior lies a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing a staggering 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, launching this nearly three-ton SUV from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 mild hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 631 horsepower |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft |
| Driveline | AWD |
| 0-60 mph | 3.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 174 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 7,700 pounds |
Built on the same platform as the Lamborghini Urus, the RS Q8 combines Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive with adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and an active roll stabilization system, giving it sports car-like handling without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.
1Lamborghini Urus
Again, we can’t leave this insane thing off the list in good conscience. The Lamborghini Urus is a definitive powerhouse SUV, combining supercar performance with everyday practicality. Under the hood, its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 cranks out 657 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, launching it from 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds—faster than the majority of sports cars.
Most Powerful Engine Specifications
| Engine | 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 657 horsepower |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft |
| Driveline | AWD |
| Fuel Efficiency | 14/19 mpg |
| 0-60 MPH | 2.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 194 MPH |
With all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and adaptive air suspension, it handles like a true Lamborghini while still offering space for passengers and cargo. Whether dominating the track or tearing through rugged terrain, the Urus proves that an SUV can deliver it all
