10 Most Powerful Super SUVs In India

In the 21st century, high horsepower is not just limited to the realm of supercars and super sports cars; it also includes SUVs. Multiple carmakers have gone down the SUV route with iconic names such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin also taking a stab at the segment. Here we take a look at the 10 most powerful SUVs in the Indian market.

Porsche Cayenne Electric

The original Cayenne was once considered the benchmark for a high-performance SUV, especially in its bonkers Turbo guise. In the Indian market, the Cayenne, in its latest generation, is sold in both standard and Coupe-SUV guise, with internal combustion engines and as an EV.

Those wanting over-the-top power will have to go for the new Cayenne Electric, for which prices were recently announced for the Indian market. The EV has been launched in standard and Turbo guise, with the latter making a ridiculous 1140 bhp of peak power and being capable of hitting 100 kmph in just 2.5 seconds. The Cayenne electric also gets hefty differences over its ICE stablemate, including a different platform and a lot more tech inside the cabin.

Buyers of the ICE SUV wanting outright performance will have to make do with either a 348 bhp V6 offered in the base SUV or a 493 bhp V8 in GTS spec – No Cayenne Turbo for now, though it was available at one point in India. Performance is quick enough with the base model sprinting to 100 kmph in 6.0 seconds, with the GTS slicing the time to 4.7 seconds.

Powertrain: Electric

Peak Output: 1140 bhp / 1500 Nm

Lotus Eletre

Go back a few decades, and the words Lotus and SUV would never have been spoken in the same sentence, but come the 2020s, and here we are – Lotus has officially arrived in India, and it's got an all-electric SUV in its ranks. The Eletre is the brand's first attempt at an SUV, and depending on the variant opted for, features either a single-motor or dual-motor AWD powertrain under the skin. The former is good for 597 bhp and 710 Nm, while the latter pumps up the output to 896 bhp and 985 Nm though all that performance comes at the expense of range. The standard 112 kWh battery offers up to 600 km of range with the single motor setup, which drops to 490 km in the AWD model.

Powertrain: Electric

Peak Output: 896 bhp / 985 Nm

Lamborghini Urus SE

The Urus has gone on to become Lamborghini’s best-selling and fastest-selling model since it first launched globally in 2017. Sharing its underpinnings with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q8, the Urus is powered by the VW Group’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine across all variants, with the new SE adding electric motors to the mix for even more power.

In standard S or Performante spec, the engine pushes out a peak 657 bhp and 850 Nm. In the SE it has been detuned to develop 612 bhp and 800 Nm, though the addition of an electric motor for the hybrid powertrain ups overall numbers to 789 bhp and 950 Nm. All variants will breach the 100 kmph mark in 3.5 seconds or less and hit a top speed in excess of 300 kmph.

Powertrain: 4.0-litre Twin-Turbo V8 + Electric Motor

Peak Output: 789 bhp / 950 Nm

Ferrari Purosangue

While Ferrari outright refuses to call the Purosangue an SUV, it is still a versatile, high-riding, high-performance vehicle capable of carrying up to four adults and substantial amounts of luggage. The Purosangue is likely the most exclusive of the high-end performance SUVs in the market, with Ferrari only making limited units per year and a waiting period extending into years.

At the heart of the super SUV sits Ferrari’s naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 pushing out 715 bhp at 7,750 rpm and 716 Nm of peak torque at 6,250 rpm, giving the SUV a top speed in excess of 300 kmph and a 0-100 kmph time of 3.3 seconds- not bad for a 2-tonne SUV. In true Ferrari fashion, every unit of the Purosangue is made to order, with each offered with a list of customisation options.

Powertrain: 6.5-litre V12

Output: 715 bhp / 716 Nm

Aston Martin DBX

On sale in India since 2021, the DBX is Aston Martin’s first-ever SUV and goes up against the likes of the Urus. While originally launched with a 542 bhp twin-turbo V8 from AMG under the hood, Aston Martin has gone on to upgrade its SUV over the years, giving it a refreshed design, a heavily upgraded interior and power from the V8 being amped up to 697 bhp and 900 Nm.

Globally, there also exists a new S trim that ups output to 717 bhp while shedding around 47 kgs from the SUV’s weight, depending on the options selected. Aston claims a 3.3-second sprint to 100 kmph and a top speed of 310 kmph.

Powertrain: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Peak Output: 697 bhp / 900 Nm

BMW XM

The first-ever SUV designed and developed from scratch by BMW's legendary M Division, the XM has been on sale in India for some years now and currently is the only M-badged SUV from BMW in the country. While its design has remained polarising, the XM is not lacking in the power department, featuring a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from BMW M paired with an electric motor to push out 644 bhp and 800 Nm of peak torque. All that power pushes the SUV from 0-100 kmph in 4.3 seconds, while top speed is limited to 250 kmph.

For those lucky enough, BMW briefly offered the even more powerful XM Red Label in India as well, which bumped up power and torque to 737 bhp and 1,000 Nm, though the variant is no longer on sale.

Powertrain: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 + electric motor

Peak output: 644 bhp / 800 Nm

Audi RS Q8

Another sibling to the Urus, Cayenne and Bentayga, the Audi Q8 also sits on the VW Group’s MLB EVO platform and comes across as one of the most affordable super SUVs from the VW Group in India. The RS Q8 pulls no punches with the 4.0-litre V8 under the bonnet, pushing out a strong 631 bhp and 850 Nm capable of propelling the SUV from 0-100 kmph in under 4 seconds and onto a top speed of 250 kmph (limited) or 305 kmph should you opt for the driver’s package. The only downside to the RS Q8 is that it’s been around for a while now without any major updates.

Powertrain: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Peak Output: 631 bhp / 850 Nm

Porsche Macan Electric

A size down compared to everything else on the list, the Macan Electric too could make the list of super SUVs in India just for the sheer output for its size. The smaller sibling to the Cayenne is sold in India in three variants, with the top-spec Turbo offering up to 630 bhp and 1,130 Nm on tap, propelling the SUV to 100 kmph in 3.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 260 kmph.

Powertrain: Electric

Peak Output: 630 bhp / 1130 Nm

Land Rover Defender Octa

One would never have thought of a Defender meeting the mould of a super SUV, but the folks at JLR have created an all-new monster of a machine with the Defender Octa. Out goes the tried and tested 5.0-litre AJ V8, replaced by the familiar BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 belching out 626 bhp and 750 Nm of torque (800 Nm in Dynamic Launch mode). And should you question why those numbers sound familiar in the JLR line-up, well it’s the same engine and output as the Range Rover SV, the most powerful variant of the RR on sale in India.

What these numbers mean is that the 2.5-tonne Octa is capable of cracking 100 kmph in four seconds flat and will hit a top speed of 250 kmph.

Those wanting the older V8 do still get the option across the standard Defender range in 90, 110 and 130 body styles. For the Octa, you’re only limited to the Defender 110 body style.

Powertrain: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

Peak Output: 626 bhp / 800 Nm

Range Rover SV / Range Rover Sport SV

The flagship variants of the Range Rover series in India, the SV variants, get the BMW-sourced 4.4-litre V8 under the hood, developing 626 bhp in the Sport and 606 bhp in the full-fat Range Rover LWB SUV. With being the flagships of the range, the SV models pack in all the luxuries one could ask for from a flagship Range Rover. In terms of outright performance, the Range Rover Sport SV will hit 100 kmph from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds while its larger sibling achieves the same just shy of 5 seconds – after all the Range Rover LWB is less about the performance and more about being chauffeured around in style.

Powertrain: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

Peak Output: 626 bhp / 750 Nm (Range Rover Sport) | 606 bhp / 750 Nm (Range Rover)