10 Best Luxury SUVs in Australia

Not only are they incredibly spacious and practical, the best luxury SUVs on the market offer interior details and features that rival five-star hotels and make for an undeniably impressive driving experience.

With that in mind, let’s break down 10 of the best luxury SUVs currently on sale in Australia to help you whittle down a shortlist.

Hyundai Palisade

We’ll kick off our list with a manufacturer you might not associate with the luxury segment, but has created a very impressive member of the luxury SUV market regardless.

The Hyundai Palisade is a large, comfortable and surprisingly premium affair in higher model grades, with family-friendly seating for up to eight people, and is a remarkably strong value-for money-proposition within the luxury SUV segment.

While the base model misses out on most premium appointments, stepping up to the range-topping Highlander variant gains Nappa leather upholstery with a suede headliner, heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch infotainment system and a 12-speaker sound system from Infinity.

Volkswagen Touareg

The Volksagen Touareg is another heavy hitter of the premium SUV segment, offering a comfortable and refined cabin for up to five people, which has recently picked up a hybrid engine option for the range-topping variant.

That new powertrain pairs a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 and an electric motor producing a healthy 340kW of power and massive 700Nm of torque which, combined with a slick DSG automatic and air suspension system makes for a strong performer on the road.

Inside, the Touareg’s cabin is sleek and stylish, with premium features like heated and ventilated leather seats, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and massive 15-inch infotainment system headlining the spec sheet.

Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar’s F-Pace is arguably one of the most stylish additions to the luxury SUV segment, and thanks to Jaguar’s generous amount of trim levels, you don’t need to break the bank to get your hands on one.

Prices for the S P250 base model kick off from around $80,000 and stretch out to just under $200,000 for the range-topping SVR Edition which receives a monstrous 5.0-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet.

Inside, the F-Pace offers a comfortable cabin for up to five, with the cheapest member of the family gaining premium features like leather upholstery with aluminium inserts and an 11.4-inch infotainment system as standard.

BMW X7

For large families looking for a bit more space, the BMW X7 has you covered with its massive cabin that can comfortably accommodate a family of seven.

The X7 range is split into two mild-hybrid variants here in Australia, with the xDrive40d gaining a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel producing 259kW/720Nm while the range-topping M60i receives a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 kicking up 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque.

As standard, the X7 gains 22-inch alloys, adaptive air suspension, Matrix LED headlights, Merino leather upholstery with an alcantara headliner, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment system paired with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Genesis GV80

For fans of doing things a little differently, the GV80 is a fairly recent addition to the luxury SUV sergment that is hoping to out-do its European rivals, all while massively undercutting them on price.

The GV80 platform is large, comfortable and spacious enough for a family of five, and comes powered by your choice of a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol, a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and a turbocharged 3.5-litre petrol unit, all three of which receive a slick eight-speed automatic.

Step inside the cabin and you’ll find a wonderfully-crafted interior design with quilted leather upholstery, wood inserts for the dash and centre tunnel, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting system, 12.0-inch head-up display and a massive 14.5-inch infotainment system paired with a 21-speaker Harman Kardon sound system; and that’s just for the base model.

Audi Q8

If you’re in the market for a sharp, futuristic and wonderfully-appointed luxury SUV, look no further than the latest generation of Audi’s flagship SUV, the Q8.

Under the bonnet, the Q8 features everything from a V6 turbo-diesel in the base model to a fire-breathing 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing a massive 441kW of power and 800Nm of torque, making it one of the fastest luxury SUVs you’ll find on the road.

Inside, Audi’s meticulous attention to detail and outstanding interior designs are clearly on show, with even the base model gaining premium features like Valcona leather for the heated sport seats, adaptive air suspension, a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit, 10.1-inch infotainment system and an 8.6-inch display for the climate and navigation inputs.

Lexus LX

For buyers looking for a luxurious SUV that isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty, you’ll be pleased to know that Lexus’ flagship shares all its important hardware with the tough-as-nails Toyota LandCruiser 300, but features more than a handful of premium interior upgrades.

In base form, the LX comes in a seven-seat configuration, while stepping up higher into the range transforms the LX into a premium five-seater that rivals a first-class airliner cabin.

Inside you’ll find a set of heated and ventilated captain’s chairs upholstered in quilted leather that are able to recline up to 48 degrees and even give your passengers a massage, with wood veneers, three digital screens and a 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system headlining the interior upgrade list.

Porsche Cayenne

While purists were quick to scoff at the Porsche Cayenne when it was first introduced, it has since established itself as one of the leading luxury SUVs on the market.

The Cayenne offers a healthy mix of Porsche’s sporting pedigree alongside a heaping of European luxury in a platform perfect for families up to five, with the range recently picking up some hybrid engine options that maintain impressive power outputs.

Inside, the Cayenne’s cabin is exceptionally comfortable and comes packed with features like heated, ventilated and massaging leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch infotainment system and a 21-speaker Burmester sound system.

Volvo XC90

Volvo’s largest SUV, the XC90 is also one of the best offerings in the lineup, which has recently picked up a plug-in hybrid flagship that adds to the overall appeal and versatility of the range.

The XC90’s cabin is practical and spacious, with more than enough room for a family of seven and a large boot measuring 709L even with the third row of seats in place, making for an undeniably family-friendly package.

Inside, you’ll find an extremely stylish cabin design that offers up a mix of leather and suede upholstery with walnut inserts, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch infotainment system paired with a Bowers & Wilkins sound system in the flagship.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Our list wraps up with one of the heavy-hitters of the luxury SUV segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Positioned directly against cars like the BMW X7 and the Audi Q8, Mercedes’ GSL is a first-class SUV experience for families of seven, and features a range of engines that offer up everything from healthy power outputs to outright insane in the range-topping GLS63.

Step inside the cabin and the GLS’ cabin is equal parts stylish and futuristic, with two massive 12.3-inch displays mounted seamlessly together that dominate the dash, as well as leather upholstery with chrome and wood inserts, heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof and 13-speaker Burmester sound system headlining the spec sheet.

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