The SUV – or Sports Utility Vehicle to give it its full title – has long been a popular choice in the UK car market, with a baffling array of 4x4s of all shapes and sizes catering for buyers of all budgets.
While the larger models have fallen out fashion in favour of smaller, more economical SUVs, there’s still demand from them for customers who want something with presence, or with a job to do.
Here are the 10 best large SUVs on sale in the UK in 2018.
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Cherokee is an SUV with a heritage to rival that of Land Rover and the latest incarnation of the famous nameplate is the best yet. It’s spacious and has a unique style, giving it more character than most of its rivals.
9. Kia Sorento
The Sorento is Kia’s biggest model and builds on a nameplate that helped the Korean brand build its reputation in the UK. As well as a powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine, the Sorento has a 2,500kg towing capability, which makes it a big hit with caravanners. Plus, it comes with the brand’s trademark seven-year warranty.
8. Hyundai Santa Fe
Closely related to the Sorento, the Santa Fe is more sophisticated than ever and is arguably more European-looking than the Kia. It comes with a five-year warranty and a choice of five or seven seats, with the same admirable towing capacity. Mid-range models in particular are great value for money.
7. Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser is unapologetic in its brusqueness – it’s huge, bold and capable of serious off-roading, towing and wading. If you want a big SUV that’s just as good at working for a living as it is for driving the family around in, the Land Cruiser is difficult to beat. It’s little wonder, then, that farmers and country dwellers love it.
6. BMW X5
Of all the large SUVs on the market, the X5 is probably the best to drive, certainly on-road. It has a brilliant chassis despite its bulk, and is also incredibly well made, with high quality interior fabrics and a smart dashboard. A new X5 is due in BMW showrooms later this year, meaning there are some cracking deals to be had.
5. Audi Q7
Now in its second generation, the Audi Q7 goes from strength to strength. It has a strong image, backed up by excellent road manners, an exquisite cabin and a wide range of engine choices. The Q7 isn’t cheap, but it’s an extremely handsome car and enjoys strong resale values, while there’s also a high performance SQ7 model and an e-Tron plug-in hybrid.
4. Range Rover
The Range Rover is an all-time classic, and in its latest guise is probably the best SUV in the world, with incredible off-road ability backed up by amazing levels of luxury, great performance and advanced technology. It’s a truly beautiful machine – though the price is high, for buyers who can afford it is a great option.
3. Land Rover Discovery
The latest Discovery enjoys the same amazing off-road capability as the Range Rover, but at a less price. Even so, it’s still a luxurious car, and one that’s brimming with multimedia, dynamic and safety tech. With seven seats as standard, it’s also a fabulous car for larger families.
2. Volvo XC90
There are few places as nice to sit in as the cabin of Volvo’s premium SUV, which has a stunning, aesthetic design coupled to excellent levels of kit. The standout model is the tax-efficient plug-in hybrid Twin Engine version, which is both wonderfully practical and extremely clever. It also holds its value better than any rival, even the Audi Q7.
1. Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda may have been a late arrival to the SUV market, but the Kodiaq proves that you don’t need SUV heritage to build a truly brilliant one. With seven-seat practicality, low running costs, enticing pricing and good levels of standard equipment, it’s hard to argue against the Kodiaq’s showroom appeal. The fact that it’s backed up by great road manners is a bonus.