10 SUVs That Can Keep Up With A Porsche Cayenne

The heading about SUVs that can keep up with a Porsche Cayenne needs a little unpacking. The basic gas Cayenne has 348 horsepower and can go to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, which does not shoot the lights out, but is respectable for a mid-size SUV. Pricing starts at $89,900, which seems about right for an everyday Porsche. There are loads of SUVs that can match or beat 5.7 seconds.

But there are four other gas or hybrid-powered Cayennes that will reach 60 MPH in the mid-four seconds, and one that snaps it out in 3.5 seconds. There is also an electric Cayenne with 1,139 horsepower that will do it in 2.4 seconds, so you should not be too confident if a Cayenne pulls in next to you at the stoplight. Here is a list of ten SUVs that can beat the normal Cayenne to 60, and take on the various other faster flavors, except for EV. To keep things simple, we list gas or mild hybrids only, since we use the gas Cayenne as the original yardstick.

Models are listed in ascending order based on starting price, from the most affordable to the most expensive.

2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

0-60 MPH: 5.5 Seconds

Alfa Romeo used to be called the poor man’s Ferrari, and if the brand had not suffered because of poor reliability, it would have been a much bigger player in the performance luxury segment today. It looks as if Alfa has put the bad press behind them, making the 2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio a compact crossover to savor. In a land of boxy corporate SUVs, the Stelvio stands out with its beautiful, curved lines and playful character.

The Stelvio‘s 2.0-liter turbo four only makes 280 horsepower, but these are not the horses you are used to. This engine, with its eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, can shoot the Stelvio to 60 mph 0.2 seconds quicker than the basic Cayenne. On top of that, most reviews note that this acceleration is matched by precise and sporty handling.

2026 Audi SQ5

0-60 MPH: Audi 4.6 Seconds

The 2026 Audi SQ5 is a compact luxury crossover in the same space as the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-AMG GLCs. It is basically the popular Audi Q5 with a lot more power. There is also a sportier SQ5 Sportback, which looks faster, but the sloping roofline does swallow up some cargo space. Both front and rear seats are comfortably spacious, and the interior is Audi neat and classy, with nice touches and loads of tech.

The Audi SQ5 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, giving 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is now a seven-speed dual-clutch, and the drive is Audi’s Quattro AWD. Adaptive air suspension is standard, and there are several drive modes, including Comfort for relaxed cruising, Dynamic for obvious reasons, and Offroad Plus with better traction control and more aggressive stability management.

2026 BMW X7 xDrive40i

0-60 MPH: 4.6 Seconds

The BMW M-badged vehicles denote extreme engineering and massive power. But even the non-M X7 XDrive40i, a full-size three-row SUV, will beat the base Cayenne and take on several of the more powerful models as well. Although technically a seven seater, the back row is really more suitable for kids. The rest of the interior is BMW luxurious, with tech to match.

The 2026 BMW X7 xDrive40 starts at $87,500, and the engine is the trusty 375-horsepower inline-six turbo; this is the one that gets to 60 in 4.6 seconds. Adaptive air suspension and active anti-roll bars are standard. If this is not enough power, you can opt for the M60i with a twin-turbo V8 and 523 horsepower, or for nearly double the price, the Alpina XB7 with the same V8 tuned to 630 horsepower. Rear-axle steering is an option on the xDrive40 and comes standard in the two higher trims.

2026 Cadillac Escalade-V

0-60 MPH: 4.4 Seconds

If you think the BMW X7 is big for a sporty car, wait until you see the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V. This is the ultimate full-size American luxury SUV, and that is before moving to the ESV long-wheelbase models. Although the Escalade shares a platform with the GMC Yukon and Chevy Suburban, the interior is the epitome of luxury and opulence.

The only way to accelerate such a massive vehicle so quickly is with massive power. The V models use a 682-horsepower, 653 pound-feet of torque supercharged 6.2-liter V8 to achieve this. A 10-speed automatic transmission sends the power to either the rear wheels or the AWD. The latest Escalade V starts at $169,000, for which you could buy two standard Porsche Cayennes.

2026 BMW X5 M60i

0-60 MPH: 4.2 Seconds

The BMW X5 is a mid-size five-seat luxury SUV, and the M60i is the power version of this long-established model that seemingly defined the segment for the past few decades. The X5 has generous space for four passengers, but can fit three in the back, and the cargo area is ample. The 2026 BMW X5is the most powerful of the models, and the most expensive, starting at $93,600.

The BMW X5 M60i has a twin-turbo V8 that makes 523 horsepower and has an eight-speed transmission. There is also an X5 M Competition model that makes 617 horsepower and does the 0–60 in 3.7 seconds. The X5 M Competition starts at $131,000.

2026 Audi SQ7

0-60 MPH: 4.0 Seconds

The 2026 Audi SQ7 is the perfectly-balanced three-row luxury performance SUV. Although the size of the third row seats and cargo area are often criticized, the SQ7 provides plenty of really luxurious space for five adults and maybe two smaller kids. There are two trims to choose from, with the top trim having soft-close power doors, a head-up display, and ventilated front seats with a massaging function.

The Audi SQ7 starts at $93,800. This is a large car with an engine to match. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 makes 500 horsepower, has an eight-speed automatic transmission, and comes with Quattro all-wheel drive.

2026 BMW X6 M Competition

0-60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds

The BMW X6 M Competition will never pass a drug test at the Olympics. It is essentially the X5 M, but in a much more sporty body and a sloped roofline that looks so good, you can forgive the loss of headroom in the back, smaller cargo space, and really elevated price. The X6 M Competition starts at $136,750, and for that, you get a car dedicated to sporty performance, great looks, and the obvious lack of attention to practicality.

The 2026 X6 M is a mild hybrid, but the headline is the 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo and eight-speed automatic transmission. This makes 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. This car is not only fast enough to take on most Cayenne versions, but it also looks fast enough.

2026 Range Rover Sport SV

0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds

The 2026 Range Rover Sport SV is a chunky, ultra-luxurious five-seat SUV with a price to match, the ability to take on most sports cars, and still go off-road if you are willing to risk that expensive car in the dirt. The SV is the Range Rover Sport that has been fully loaded and fitted with a massively powerful engine. The starting price is $152,000, but this can quickly turn ugly.

The Range Rover Sport SV has a 626-horsepower, 553 pound-feet of torque engine, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel steering and brake-controlled torque vectoring are standard. Top speed is 180 mph.

2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

0-60 MPH: 3.5 Seconds

The standard Dodge Durango has been the mainstay of old-school seven-seat muscle car SUVs, with the current iteration having been around for over ten years. Add the SRT Hellcat, and this takes this compelling daily drive and adds massive power, superb brakes, and adaptive dampers. There is also the Jailbreak option to add various additional extras. The thing about the SRT Hellcat is, even when painted with GT stripes, it looks more like a normal big SUV than something that can tear up the quarter mile.

The 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that makes 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, putting the power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to permanent AWD. The standard Dodge Durango starts at $38,495, while adding the SRT Hellcat options more than doubles the starting price to $82,585.

2026 Audi RS Q8 Performance

0-60 MPH: 3.4 Seconds

Most of you probably know that Audi owns Lamborghini, and under the skin the 2026 Audi RS Q8 has the same twin-turbo V8 used in the Lamborghini Urus. This makes RS Q8 a bit of a sleeper, because visually it looks very much like the normal Audi Q8. It is a normal five-seat luxury SUV. Inside, it is quietly luxurious, the seats are all spacious, and there is enough luggage space. Even the engine is quieter than you would expect. But there is a reason that the price starts at $138,300.

The RS Q8 has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that makes 631 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. There is also a 48V mild hybrid setup. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD. This car has a mechanical center differential and uses electromechanical active roll stabilization for tight corners and fast sweeps.

Sources: Various carmakers