10 Luxury SUVs That Are Worthy Alternatives To Their German Rivals

When we think of luxury SUVs, we immediately think of the Germans: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and, of course, Porsche with its excellent Macan and Cayenne. Between them, these carmakers make about 16 SUV models, more if you start counting EVs and PHEVs. One would think that this is enough choice in the luxury SUV segment to satisfy all potential buyers. But one would be wrong.

There are, in fact, a wide selection of luxury SUVs that are not made in Germany, and which offer valid alternatives to the Germans. So here is a list of ten luxury SUV alternatives, ranked according to starting price. Luxury is not always accurately measured by price alone, but ranking these on price gives those with deep pockets somewhere to start.

Models are listed in ascending order, from the least expensive to the most expensive.

Lexus RX – $51,173

Alternative To The Porsche Macan, Mercedes-Benz GLC, And BMW X3

The 2026 Lexus RX is a solid luxury compact SUV, seating five in fine comfort. While it does not have the performance of its German rivals, it does bring the rock-solid reliability that is the hallmark of the Lexus Toyota empire. The RX is known for its smooth ride, really fine build quality, and refined good looks. The interior is plush and packed with technology, including good infotainment and great sound. It comes standard with FWD, with the on-demand AWD as an option.

The Lexus RX is available with a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder as a gas engine, a hybrid, a turbo-gas hybrid, and a plug-in-hybrid that gives great fuel economy. The latter starts at just over $73,000 and fills out the range to cover everything the German carmakers can offer.

Acura MDX – $51,800

Alternative To The Audi Q7

Acura is to Honda what Lexus is to Toyota, sharing many of the same under-the-skin engineering, but in a markedly more upmarket package. The 2026 Acura MDX is a seven-seat SUV, with enough space in the front and middle, but somewhat less in the third row. The MDX trims start reasonably well-loaded, and successive trims quickly become more luxurious and pricy, with the top trim costing about 50 percent more than the entry level. The buyer also has a vast number of optional extras to equip the MDX to the right level of opulence.

The Acura MDX has a definite performance bias, with crisp handling and power ranging from decent in the 290-horsepower V6, to spicier with the 355-horsepower twin-turbo V6. The air suspension can be adjusted for a cushier ride or firmed up for better handling. FWD is standard, with AWD an attractive option.

Genesis GV80 – $58,200

Alternative To The Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, And Audi Q8

Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai Motor Group, which also makes Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The 2026 Genesis GV80 is a sophisticated SUV with a level of luxury that matches that of its German rivals, but at a much better starting price. There are two cabin options: a five-seat and one can hold seven passengers. Both cabin options are plush, including heated and ventilated seats all around, and heated armrests. The Genesis GV80 is known for its very quiet ride, even at high speed.

The Genesis GV80 has two engine options, both using an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 300-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo is standard, while the twin-turbo makes 375 horsepower. The trims with the latter engine are equipped to carry seven passengers, with the standard model limited to five.

Volvo XC90 – $62,345

Alternative To The Audi Q7, BMW X5, And Mercedes-Benz GLE

Volvo is not a new-generation-every-two-years brand, and the 2026 Volvo XC90 has been around for ten years. Nevertheless, this capable and solid five/six/seven-seat SUV still holds its own against its more flashy German rivals. The cabin is understated in the Volvo manner, with open-pore wood, leather, or a variety of environmentally-friendly woven fabric options. The XC90 is available in nine trim levels, excluding the noteworthy plug-in-hybrid version.

The Volvo XC90 has a slightly more-than-mild 48V hybrid system. The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbo that offers 247 horsepower, and there is also a 295-horsepower supercharged version. The PHEV gives 455 horsepower combined and can drive up to 33 miles on battery power alone. All versions have AWD and use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Land Rover Defender – $63,500

Alternative To The Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, And BMW X6

Two questions pop up with including Defender in this list. The first is: why the Defender? The second is: why not the Discovery instead? The 2026 Land Rover Defender of old used to be as luxurious and unbreakable as a school bus, offering genuine off-road capability in a bare metal box. The new Defender is still highly capable off-road, but now in a plush package that does not stand back against any of its rivals. The range of trims is vast, going from $63,000 to well north of $170,000.

Why not the Discovery? The Disco has a luxury version, the Range Rover, and it is on this list. The top-tier Defender not only beats the Discovery in top-trim luxury, but its off-roading capabilities are way better than the Disco and its German rivals as well. The Defender comes in three body styles: the two-door Defender 90, the 130 long wheelbase that can take seven seats, and the 110 five-seat, four-door version. One notable change is that the new Defender is of unibody construction, rather than body-on-frame.

The Defender comes standard with four-wheel drive and locking differentials. The standard Defender engine is a 296-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with an eight-speed transmission. Next up is a 3.0-liter inline-six with an electric supercharger, a turbo, and a 48V hybrid system, making 395 horsepower. There is also a 528-horsepower supercharged V8, which tested 0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Not enough horses? The flagship Octa trim has a twin-turbo V8 that makes 626 horsepower.

Range Rover Sport – $83,700

Alternative To The Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, And Mercedes-Benz GLE-AMG53

Although the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV looks like a slightly smaller version of the grand Range Rover, it is an SUV in its own class, and offers a solid, if pricy, alternative to the mid-size luxury Germans. It has five seats and a minimalist interior. There is a choice of textile or leather upholstery, with muted chrome detailing providing pleasing accents. Standard equipment like power-adjustable seats can be upgraded to ones with 22 adjustable functions, massage, and ventilation. There are five standard Range Rover Sport trim levels, as well as an optional handling package that includes refinements such as rear-wheel steering.

There are two 3.0-liter inline six turbo engines with a hybrid system, one making 355 horsepower, while the other has been tuned to make 395 horsepower. There is also a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower. There is a plug-in hybrid with 543 horsepower and over 50 miles of electric range. All variants have an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and adjustable air suspension.

Cadillac Escalade – $91,100

Alternative To The BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, And GLS-AMG

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade is a luxury seven-seat SUV that offers a very long and slightly confusing range of trims. The starting price for the Luxury entry-level model is just over $90,000, and by the time you get to the $223,000 model, you have a super serious luxury SUV that can hold its own in any company. Buyers can choose the standard wheelbase or the longer ESV with more space in the third row and more cargo space. The entry-level gets fake leather upholstery. After that, it is all real leather in ever-increasing grades of fineness. The screens are massive, and the sound is by AKG, starting with 19 speakers and escalating to 36 speakers.

There is nothing subtle about the Cadillac Escalade, not in size, nor in price, and it gets a range of engines to match. The standard engine is a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 420 horsepower. Half the cylinders can be deactivated to save fuel. There is also a 3.0-liter inline six diesel with fewer horses, but loads of torque, and better fuel consumption. There is also an engine version that adds a supercharger to the big V8 to make 682 horsepower, tested to take this enormous vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Transmission for all versions is a ten-speed automatic.

Lincoln Navigator – $99,995

Alternative To The BMW X7 And Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2026 Lincoln Navigator is a large SUV that can seat seven or eight passengers. There are two wheelbase options, as with the Escalade, with the same space implications. The Lincoln is firmly rooted in luxury urban or highway travel, not any form of off-roading or sporty performance. The interior is all leather, and everything can be adjusted and heated. The infotainment is vast and comprehensive, and slightly over-the-top in some functions. BlueCruise hands-free is part of the deal.

There is only one powertrain, a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 440 horsepower. The transmission is a 10-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard, and although you would not want to go off-road, you can hitch a sizable boat or caravan on the back, pulling up to 8,700 pounds. Towing can be further improved with an optional towing package.

Lexus LX600 – $107,850

Alternative To The BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, And GLS-AMG

The 2024 Lexus LX 600 is a refined, luxury SUV that is equally at home in the city, highway, or on dirt. The cabin is lined with upholstered leather and wood trim, with understated chrome accents. The front seats are not only heated and ventilated, but also have a massaging function that can be adjusted for both intensity and the focus area to be massaged. Although the LX is a three-row, seven-seater, some options allow a more spacious rear area, with three seats in the back, or even a chauffeur-driven setup with only two seats in the back, both reclining captain’s chairs with a large console between them.

The Lexus LX600 is available in three trim levels in the gas version, with a powerful 3.4-liter V6 twin-turbo that makes 409 horsepower. It also has a performance hybrid option. The LX600 is a smooth and comfortable luxury ride on tarmac, and it has real off-road ability. The four-wheel-drive includes low-range gearing and a locking center differential, which puts this Lexus in the same space as the new Land Rover Defender.

Range Rover – $113,300

Alternative To The BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, GLS-AMG, And BMW XM

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover is the OG of luxury SUVs, a full-size four to seven seater that is powerful and comfortable to drive in town, and can take on genuine offroading challenges. Even if you are not an expert off the beaten track, the Range Rover has you covered with smart drive modes that will make you seem experienced in the rough.

There is a choice of wheelbase lengths, massive cargo space in the long-wheelbase model, and even a split tailgate that provides comfortable seating. The interior is really plush, with leather everything as standard, and the option of classy woven fabric for the environmentally aware. There are six trim levels, with prices quickly escalating to around $240,000.

Sources: J.D. Power, RepairPal