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Few things make commuting more enjoyable than a luxuriously crafted vehicle to take you from place to place. While sports cars had their moment in the early 2000s, the new pinnacle of enjoyment is luxury SUVs.
Their expansive interior cabin, polished finishes, and cutting-edge technology make them an elegant extension of their owner’s appreciation for attention to detail and first-class experiences.
Providing the most amount of space over other luxury cars, SUVs have experienced a metamorphosis over the last few decades, embodying the sporty, elegant styling and handling previously reserved for their lower-to-the-ground counterparts.
List of the Top 5 Luxury SUVs
SUV’s come in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. Out of the sea of endless possibilities, here are five of the best luxury SUVs currently on the market in 2022.
2022 INFINITI QX60
Despite being a midsize SUV, the GX60 can fit seven passengers comfortably. In fact, it’s one of the best luxury SUVs with a 3rd row. With high-quality finishes and a very quiet interior cabin, it hits all the right notes for luxury vehicles.
The only downside is that the fuel economy is sub-par, which means more frequent visits to the gas station.
Additional features include:
- Wireless charging
- Pedestrian detection
- Front cooled seats
- Hands-free trunk/liftgate
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Panoramic moonroof
- Around view camera
- 3rd row
- 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.
Pricing: Starting MSRP of $48,375
Pros:
- Smooth ride
- Luxurious interior
- Quiet, comfortable cabin
- Great infotainment system
- Better engine from previous years
- High-quality leather interior seating
Cons:
- Unimpressive acceleration
- Highly reflective interior trim makes sunny days difficult
- Touchy climate controls
- Mediocre MPG
2022 Acura MDX – Top Luxury SUVs
Boasting a spacious interior, powerful performance, and smooth ride, this model takes Acura’s refinement to new heights. Technology rich and fun to drive, the 7-seater MDX is the largest model Acura offers. Its luxury crossover status helps out in the fuel economy department but now by much. To some, this could be considered comparable to a luxury sports SUV.
Additional Features:
- Third-row seating
- Wireless charging
- Adaptive cruise control
- In-car Wi-Fi
- Panoramic moonroof
- Power trunk/liftgate
- 17 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway
Pros:
- New 10-speed transmission and a v-6 engine
- Solid standard features package
- Spacious cabin
- Sunroof comes standard
- Folding, removable second row
Cons:
- Glitchy touchpad-controlled infotainment system
- Awkward third row
- Inconsistent road management
- No more sport hybrid mode
- Armrest placement is awkward
2022 Lexus NX
Totally redesigned with a fresh exterior, new engine options, and technology package, the NX started turning heads the moment it rolled onto the showroom floor. This 5-seater comes in over 12 trim levels, which should provide plenty of options for excited drivers looking for a tailored fit. Compared to others in its class, fuel economy is among the best, which is not always a consideration in the luxury SUV range.
Additional features include:
- Front cooled seats
- Start/stop system
- Adaptive cruise control
- In car Wi-Fi
- Heads up display
- Power trunk/liftgate
Pricing: Starting MSRP of $39,425
Pros:
- Available hybrid and plugin hybrid options
- Large infotainment touchscreens
- Smooth ride
- Quiet interior
- Modern exterior styling
Cons:
- Limited cargo space
- Cramped second row
- Underpowered engine compared to other cars in its class
2022 Land Rover Range Rover
As it always has, the Range Rover offers a seamless balance of functionality mixed with cutting-edge design and modern technology. If there is one major downside, it would be that this 5-seater lacks a third-row option. The other thing to watch out for is its floaty ride which lacks the crisp handling that some drivers prefer.
Additional features:
- Wireless charging
- Power liftgate
- Apple CarPlay
- Heads up display
- Auto start and stop
- Panoramic moonroof
- In-car Wi-Fi
Pricing: Starting MSRP of $95,150
Pros:
- Best class off-road abilities
- Spacious, refined interior fit for royalty
- Longer wheelbases offer more backseat room
- Powerful engine
- Great technology
Cons:
- Limited cargo space compared to rivals
- High base price
- Unintuitive infotainment controls
2022 Lexus LX
Additional features include:
Completely redesigned to achieve maximum, best-in-class luxury, the Lexus LX retains its impressive off-road capabilities. Improved handling, updated technology, and better fuel economy help set this year’s model apart. With the ability to fit seven people comfortably, more people can tag along for an amazingly luxurious adventure.
- Hill descent assist
- Wireless charging
- Front and rear cooled seats
- Hands-free trunk/liftgate
- Heads up display
- Around view camera
- Running boards
- 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway
Pricing: Starting MSRP of $88,245
Pros:
- Increased fuel economy
- More intuitive driving dynamics
- Robust off-road ability
- Fast acceleration
- Best class sound system
- Ultra-luxurious interior
Cons:
- High step-in height
- Narrow third-row seats
- Slightly sluggish around turns
- Overly floating ride
- Limited cargo space compared to rivals
Luxury SUVs Honorable Mention
With the plethora of luxury SUVs, we would be remiss to mention some others that are just as deserving of mention.
2022 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
The hybrid version of the Cayenne tops our list for the best luxury hybrid SUV. It has all the powerful performance you would expect from a Porsche while offering excellent fuel economy.
2022 INFINITI QX50
Like its big brother, the QX50 does not compromise on high-quality details or top-notch technology as far as luxury compact SUVs go; this one belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of 2022 picks. Small luxury SUVs have increased in popularity, especially among city dwellers who need to fit into tight spaces but want extra room and comfort in their ride.
In this highly competitive world of luxury SUVs, the bar is continually set higher than the previous year. As you can see from this list, the steep competition makes it harder for drivers to pick a winner.
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