Best Luxury SUVs of 2022

The modern luxury SUV needs to have all of the pampering attributes of an upscale sedan but also accommodate more cargo and occupants. Along with the latest infotainment systems and driver aids, these vehicles must be built from fine materials and effortlessly do away with the stress of commuting. In our luxury SUV rankings, the competitors that stand out combine absolute refinement with the latest technologies, smooth powertrains, and upmarket materials.

The top-rated luxury SUVs on the market offer spacious seating and a large, versatile trunk, as well as a plush ride. A long list of standard features, like heated and ventilated seating, top-quality leather upholstery, and a brilliant sound system help to add to the feeling of opulence. Some lux crossovers also offer the convenience of power, hands-free tailgates, soft-close doors, and massaging seats. These are just some of the aspects that set them apart from the average sedan and help them stand out as some of the best luxury SUVs of 2022.

BuzzScore
Design
Performance
MPG
Interior
Infotainment
Reliability
Safety
Value
#1
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#2
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV
9.1
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
8
Value
#3
2021 Cadillac Escalade
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#4
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#5
2022 Volvo XC40
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#6
2022 Lexus NX Hybrid
9
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
8
Interior
10
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#7
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
9
BuzzScore
8
Design
9
Performance
10
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#8
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35
9
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
8
MPG
8
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#9
2021 Genesis GV80
9
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value
#10
2021 Lincoln Navigator
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
8
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
10
Value
#11
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#12
2022 Lincoln Navigator L
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
8
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
10
Value
#13
2022 BMW Alpina XB7
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
10
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#14
2022 Lexus NX
#14
Lexus NX
8.9
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
8
MPG
8
Interior
10
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#15
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
8.9
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#16
2022 Genesis GV70
8.9
BuzzScore
10
Design
8
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#17
2021 Volvo XC60
8.9
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#18
2021 Volvo XC90
8.9
BuzzScore
9
Design
7
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#19
2022 BMW X3
#19
BMW X3
8.8
BuzzScore
8
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
9
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#20
2022 Acura MDX
#20
Acura MDX
8.8
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
7
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value

What It Takes To Top The Luxury SUV Rankings

When seeking a top luxury SUV, some elements matter more than in other segments. For instance, a five-star SUV shouldn’t have rough cabin finishes, while this can be forgiven in a rugged truck. Similarly, a comfortable ride and minimal road noise should be priorities. These cruisers tend to have a higher starting price when you compare them to most mainstream models, so attention to detail in design and the implementation of technology is key. Here’s a summary of what makes a top-notch luxury SUV:

  • Build quality and materials: Rattles and squeaks aren’t acceptable at this level. For the money you’re paying, you should be getting soft-touch plastics, loads of leather or other high-quality materials, and a solid thunk when you shut the door.
  • Ride refinement: A true high-end sport utility vehicle must soak up bumps and ruts long before they are felt while maintaining its composure at highway speeds.
  • Features: Digital instrument displays, crisp-sounding audio, and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control are some of the technologies that are befitting of a premium product.
  • Space and seating: Any good automobile in this segment should prioritize spaciousness and a practical, capacious trunk. Thoughtful storage compartments also make life easier.
  • Power: It won’t help carrying you about in luxury if you can’t actually get moving, so these vehicles must have a powerful engine under the hood that makes for effortless acceleration and overtaking.

What To Consider Before Buying A Top-Rated Luxury SUV

The best luxury SUV will differ for each shopper, depending on your needs and preferences. However, this class is generally distinguished by attractive styling, a smartly laid out interior, sophisticated road manners, and high-end infotainment systems. As soon as you progress from the non-premium end of the market, the price does see a sharp increase, though. These are some of the pros and cons to bear in mind if you’re shopping for a lux SUV:

Pros

  • Comfort of a car with the added versatility of a crossover
  • Tasteful interior appointments
  • New tech advancements
  • Badge appeal of the world’s most revered brands

Cons

  • Starting price is much higher than other, regular SUVs
  • May be more thirsty, as top-end models usually have powerful engines
  • More equipment means more complex maintenance and related costs

FAQs About Lux SUVs

What are the best high-end SUV options in the USA?

There are numerous categories to consider when trying to identify the best luxury SUV - depending on whether your priority is comfort, class, performance, or fuel economy, these results will differ. Some of those that offer an excellent combination of the above include the all-American Cadillac Escalade, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and it’s AMG variant, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, and the Volvo XC40.

What is the most reliable luxury SUV to buy or lease in the US?

According to J.D. Power tallies for 2021, some of the highest scores were attributed to the Caddy Escalade, BMW X7, and Infiniti QX80 in the large luxury SUV category, while the Lexus RX, Lexus GX, and Cadillac XT5 obtained the best ratings in the midsize premium section. Lexus’ UX and the Volvo XC40 top the lists in the small SUV segment while the compact segment is dominated by the BMW X4, Porsche Macan, and Lincoln Corsair. Some of these carry over from 2019/2020 and will make promised used cars that remain reliable to buy.

Take a look at our detailed reviews of various lux SUVs to learn more, including specific information on performance, interior space, warranty coverage, and gas mileage figures across the various model ranges.

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