Top 5 Luxury Electric SUVs

A luxury SUV is perfect for families, individuals and couples who need that extra bit of storage space and comfort in their everyday driving. They’re a great way to embrace the benefits of driving electric while not compromising on power, space and functionality.

What makes an electric SUV luxury?

What exactly is a luxury electric SUV and how do they differ from other electric cars? An SUV is a sports utility vehicle, and is a type of car that is higher from the ground, has a larger interior and can be easily driven across challenging terrain, rough roads and harsh conditions.

A luxury SUV has all the high performance of an SUV with added touches of luxury, such as modern interiors, infotainment centres and other high-end tech additions.

And of course, a luxury electric SUV has all of the above plus the added bonus of being an EV, and all the benefits that come with it.

Our top 5 luxury electric SUVs

There are plenty of fantastic models available on the market, but below are our choices for the five best luxury electric SUVs.

Jaguar I-Pace

Following Jaguar’s announcement that all its cars will be electric by 2025, the I-Pace is Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle and it exceeds all expectations.

The exterior of the Jaguar is built to turn heads. It has a bonnet scoop and a rear diffuser, which minimises the amount of drag on the car and makes it possible to eke out every last bit of the battery.

The interior is where the I-Pace sets itself apart from its competitors. 

The cabin is very spacious, with plenty of hidden room to store your essentials. The seats are fully customisable with options to improve lumbar and headrest support. The I-Pace comes with either sports or performance seats based on preference. 

To add to the luxury there’s an array of features to keep you comfortable on the go. The I-Pace has Cabin Pre-Conditioning, which allows you to preheat the cabin to your preferred temperature through the Jaguar Remote App.

It also boasts a PM.25 filter, which filters out harmful dust and air particulates improving the well-being of the driver and passengers.

Performance-wise, the I-Pace lives up to its sporty looks. It has two electric motors, one in the front and the other in the back, churning out 400hp. This gives it a 0-60 acceleration time of just 4.8 seconds; quicker than most sports cars!

In addition to its speed, it has an impressive range of 298 miles. Using a 50kW charger, you’ll be able to add 168 miles in about 60 minutes of charging.

Pros

• A very spacious, practical and plush interior
• The dual-motor system and speeds add to a great driving experience

Cons

• More expensive than its competitors
• Three screens instead of one long one, occasionally susceptible to glare

Find out more here.

Mercedes EQC

The German automaker is shifting its focus to electric powertrains and the Mercedes EQC is one of its first all-electric SUVs. The Mercedes EQC doesn’t resort to over-the-top futuristic design. Instead, it channels the classic Mercedes SUV.

The interior doesn’t stray too far from the classic Mercedes SUV design either, but it still possesses some unique features. The EQC’s interior is lit up with integrated light strips across the doors, dashboard and trimmings. It has over 64 different colour options and light animations. The most extraordinary feature is its mini-sunrise functionality, which will mimic a sunrise during your road trip.  

The EQC also boasts a very clear and intuitive 10.25” infotainment system, with a built-in voice command feature, which is less distracting while driving. Just say “Hey Mercedes” and voice a command (call, change the radio station, set destination, etc).

In terms of performance, the EQC is the middle of the pack. It has an official range of 255 miles and it will charge from 0-80% in 75 minutes using a 50kW charger. The EQC also has plenty of driving assists (speed adjustment, steering, active lane-keeping assist and more), which is great for longer trips.

Pros

• Very intuitive system and the voice command feature is a game-changer
• Absorbs bumps and rocks very well
• Enjoyable driving experience

Cons

• Boot space is not as generous as its competitors
• Other electric SUVs have a greater range

Find out more here

Audi E-tron

The Audi e-tron S Sportback is the top-spec version of the e-tron SUV, and it doesn’t disappoint. The Audi e-tron S Sportback is one of Audi’s more futuristic models, while still remaining true to the Audi SUV shell. It’s difficult to tell this EV apart from its ICE counterparts and once you take a closer look you’ll realise this EV is impressive.

The interior fits the Audi bill, with metallic finishes and leather trimmings allowing for both comfort and prestige. The e-tron Sportback is kitted out with Valcona leather, interior LED lighting, remote preconditioning and three high-resolution infotainment screens.

It’s also very spacious, allowing five adults to be seated comfortably, with plenty of luggage space in the boot to spare.  

From a performance perspective, it’s comparable to the EQC. With 402hp it can accelerate from 0-60 in around 5.7 seconds. The range tops out at around 250 miles, which is slightly less than the EQC and Jaguar I-Pace. In terms of charging, a standard 7kW charger will take around 9 hours, but if you find a 150kW charger then it will only take 30 mins to get to 80% charge from 0%.

 One of the coolest – but arguably the most unnecessary – features is that you can order the e-tron without door mirrors. These will be replaced with small cameras, which will project their images onto the screens in the car.

Pros

• The spacious and comfortable cabin
• Quick charging time
• Door mirrors optional

Cons

• Range
• The size, weight distribution and high suspension cause it to occasionally feel unsteady

Find out more here.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla has long been the pioneer of electric vehicles, and the Model Y is another example of Tesla’s EV know-how. The Tesla Model Y was designed with safety in mind. Its large crumple zones, rigid structure, and low centre of gravity provide you with safety none of its competitors can. Its exterior is not incredibly flashy (in terms of a Tesla), however, it still has that futuristic Tesla look.

The Model Y interior borrows a lot from the Model 3, with some slight modifications. It can fit up to seven adults with some room to spare for luggage. If you’re not carrying that many passengers, each row can flip down to allow maximum flexibility and storage capacity.

The 15” infotainment screen in the centre serves as the main control system for most functions within the car. This allows the Model Y to be virtually buttonless on the inside. The infotainment system also comes with Netflix, Hulu and the option to play video games, which is perfect for killing time while waiting for the battery to charge.  

The Model Y is available in two packages: Performance and Long-range. The performance model has a range of 298 miles and can accelerate from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. The Long-range has a range of 314 miles and can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. Both models benefit from a dual-motor All-Wheel drive set-up. It can also charge 168 miles in 15 minutes using Tesla superchargers. Not bad!

Pros

• Range
• 15” infotainment system with added features
• Panoramic sky roof

Cons

• Not a major upgrade from the Model 3
• The higher centre of gravity compared to other Teslas creates less reactive handling

Find out more here.

BMW iX

Last, but certainly not least, we’re taking a look at BMW’s newest electric flagship SUV. The iX is BMW’s entry into the mid-size SUV range, making it the OEMs largest fully electric car. The outside resembles the X5, X6, and X7 all in one, with some design changes to make it fit the EV bill.

The iX was built to be aerodynamically efficient to maximise range, and the large grill in the front acts as an intelligence panel, with built-in cameras and sensors to aid the driver.

The interior was designed to maximise space. The iX can fit 5 adults comfortably with space for luggage and storage too. The interior is more minimalist than its counterparts, however, it still boasts a 12.3” infotainment driver display and a 14.9” control display in the middle of the dashboard. It’s decked out with Bowers & Wilkins speakers and has LED interior lighting. 

The iX has 496hp coursing through two electric motors. Its 0-60 time is around 5 seconds and its range is around 300 miles. In terms of charging, the iX can charge from 10-80% in less than 40 minutes using a 200kW charger. A more common 7kW wallbox charger will take roughly 11 hours.

 Pros

• Good range
• Spacious cabin

Cons

• Options are expensive
• Not the quickest SUV on the market

Find out more here.

Best top-of-the-range electric SUVs: your opinion?

We hope you enjoyed our run-down of our favourite top-of-the-line SUVs. Which ones would you put in your top 5? Perhaps you’re interested in seeing these in our fleet?

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