Sport SUV - DealerPinch Blog

2015's Sport SUV list is rather explosive. We couldn’t ask for a more powerful pack than the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Range Rover Sport, and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

We'll begin with the Cayenne. Starting at $49,600, this luxury crossover SUV is equipped with a V-6 that maintains 14 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy and 5 passenger capacity.

The Cayenne’s success can be accounted for in several different ways. First, nearly everyone can agree that it makes for a practical and powerful family vehicle that leaves you with feelings familiar to Porsche’s track excelling 2-seaters’.

The Cayenne Model has, as of 2014, produced a Cayenne Diesel and a Cayenne Turbo S, which provides 50 more horsepower than the Cayenne Turbo.

The Porsche Cayenne has seven available packages:

- Base model starting at $49,600, with a 300-horsepower V-6 engine 3.6 L.- Cayenne Diesel 245-horsepower, V-6 turbodiesel engine with 3.0 L.- Cayenne S, V-8, 400 horsepower 4.8 L.- Cayenne S Hybrid, V-6, 380 horsepower from its electric motor and a supercharged 3.0 L.- Cayenne Turbo V-8, 500 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 4.8 L.- Cayenne Turbo S V-8, 550-hp.

The Turbo S accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 176 mph. Even the base Cayenne's are quicker, with the Tiptronic S automatic transmission getting to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds (7.1 seconds with the six-speed manual). The only models offering a six-speed manual gearbox are the base models. All other Cayenne models have the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic with manual control.

The Audi Q7 may be the most ideal alternative to the Porsche Cayenne. It is larger inside, has an available third-row seat and Audi-authentic luxury style, making it most appealing to those of us with families. In addition to a passenger capacity of 7, Audi’s supercharged V-6 engine is also stronger compared to the Cayenne's base V-6. Starting at $47,700, this luxury SUV gets 16 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy from its Quattro 4-Door 3.0 L Turbo inter-cooled Supercharged V-6.

Audi Q7’s luxury doesn’t feel ‘added-on’ but instead is through and through - which may off-set its wheelbase off-road limitations. The Audi does have impeccable towing capabilities with lots of useful interior technologies and impressive performance.

The extra wheelbase improves ride quality and composure while maintaining nimbleness. The all-wheel drive Quattro system aids stability and provides superior traction. The attractive and elegant Q7 is one of the best in this class compared with the top luxury vehicles on the market.

The Q7 has replaced its older model’s V-8 engine with a far more fuel-efficient V-6 with three different power levels:

- 3.0 T model has a 3.0 L Supercharged V-6 at 280-horsepower- TDI model in a 3.0 L turbo-diesel V-6- S-Line 3.0 L supercharged V-6 with 333-hp.

The TDI model wields a 19 city /28 highway mpg and is just as quick as the 3.0 L Supercharged V-6 (0-60 in 7.7 seconds). Tow ratings of 6,600 pounds are available.

The Range Rover Sport isn’t much different than the Cayenne in terms of on-road and off-road performance; however, it falls short with interior space and modern design.

Starting at $62,600, the Intercooled Supercharged V-6 340 horsepower 3.0 L provides 14 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy.

A very capable alternative to the three listed above is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The Grand Cherokee is an even better competition for the Cayenne Turbo and boasts a much lower price of $29,495.

For the base model Jeep offers:

- a 3.6 L Pentastar V-6, 290 hp rated up to 25 mpg highway.- HEMI V-8 makes 360 hp, gets 21 mpg.- Ecodiesel 3.0L V-6 with an estimated 30 mpg highway has the best-in-class towing capacity of 7,400 pounds.

The 470-hp HEMI accomplishes 0-60 mph in about 4.8 seconds, has launch control and a sporty 70% rear-wheel torque split in Track mode.

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