The top 5 large SUVS

Which are the best choices in this ever-growing sector?

Land Rover Discovery Sport (Land Rover)

Big SUVs are becoming the new family car. You get space, a lot of presence and a high driving position to increase safety. Many can actually give you decent off-road capability too, so which ones combine all that with sensible running costs and a decent driving experience? We give you our top five:

1. Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 180 4WD Auto

It’s a fine motorway cruiser yet it also has Land Rover’s real off-road ability. With seven seats as standard set in a high-class cabin, there is a lot of smart design in the Sport. No wonder it is the What Car? Large SUV of the Year.

2. Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 218 SE

A pleasing blend of luxury and practicality is combined within the large exterior dimensions of this four-wheel drive Audi. There is tons of space for people, kit, animals, whatever, within the flexible cabin and the running costs are reasonably sensible too. Better in town than country perhaps, but still a great all-round luxury 4x4.

Volvo XC90 (Volvo)

3. Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum

With a Swedish take on a luxury cabin in a big 4x4, the XC90 makes a welcome alternative to more mainstream German counterparts. It’s big, roomy, economical and fitted with a vast array of tech for both comms and safety. Lower speed ride can be a touch unsettled but this is a triumphant reimagining of the XC90.

Range Rover Sport

4. Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 HSE

It’s a Range Rover, so that tells you quite a lot. It’s not quite as large as the full-fat version but it doesn’t lose anything by being fractionally more compact. It’s a big, luxurious SUV in the finest Range Rover tradition, and has the ability to handle fast roads as well as it does a ploughed field. With the option of seven seats, it can match the Discovery Sport from the same company, and brings an even more luxurious character to long distance.

BMW X3 (BMW)

5. BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

This isn’t an SUV that just looks the part as it has four-wheel drive whatever the model. Add to that a potent range of engines and a lot of kit and you have a fine SUV. And if the size doesn’t quite suit you then there is the X4 or X5 or indeed the X1 to perfectly match your requirements.

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