When the very first 500+ horsepower sport-utility vehicles rolled out, the critics were astonished. And not in the good way, if I am honest. Most were written off as senseless and ridiculous.
Personally, I didn't quite understand why. Sure, they weren't the most fuel efficient but if you had the chance to really spend a lot of time in one, they just were brilliant. While they will never be outright sports cars, they're damn capable on road and, in some rare cases, off road.
The all-new BMW X5M and the refreshed Porsche Cayenne Turbo are pretty much the two frontrunners in this space. Yes, the all-new Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR is a newcomer and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 will be arriving shortly, but in terms of driving dynamics we think these two would be the best of the litter.
That said, let's get down to brass tacks: WHICH high-performance SUV would YOU rather have? The all-new BMW X5M or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo? What say you, Spies?
Verdict
Though their ‘more is more’ pitches leave both hyper-SUVs wanting for very little, value – that $45K question – certainly creeps into the bottom line. Yes, the Cayenne Turbo is slightly more flexible in offering a degree of off-road adaptability, but both hang their ultimate heroics, beyond their myriad niceties, on tarmac-tearing prowess.
And it’s the X5 M that nails its promise most confidently…lightness and simplicity be damned.
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