SUVs are extremely popular around the world. Their appeal lies not only in their high outdoor performance, but also in their sophisticated designs that stand out in urban areas, and the spacious interiors that allow all passengers to feel comfortable. In recent years, the acceleration performance of SUVs has also been attracting attention, with models now appearing that have the potential to rival sports cars.
In this article, we’ve ranked SUVs available in Japan as of February 2025 by their 0-100km/h acceleration speed. Based on official data, we’ll introduce the top 50 SUVs.
Top 50 SUVs with 0-100km/h acceleration
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HVs) dominate the top rankings. In particular, Tesla’s Model X took first place with its overwhelming acceleration performance. In addition to the instantaneous power that only an EV can offer, advanced control using the latest technology has made this astonishing figure possible.
Coming in second place is Porsche’s new EV, the Macan EV. Porsche’s signature sporty driving performance remains strong even in its EV form. Coming in third place is Ferrari’s first SUV, the Purosangue. As an SUV from a supercar brand, its driving performance does not disappoint.
Other high-performance SUVs that rank highly include the Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus. These models boast powerful engines, excellent chassis performance, and cutting-edge control technology, resulting in acceleration performance that is hard to believe is an SUV.
| Ranking | Manufacturer | Car model | grade | 0-100km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place | Tesla | Model X 2024 | Plaid | 2.6 seconds |
| 2nd place | Porsche | Macan EV | Tubo Electric | 3.3 seconds |
| 3rd place | Ferrari | Prosangue | 3.3 seconds | |
| 3rd place | Porsche | Cayenne ( with Sport Chrono Package) |
Turbo GT | 3.3 seconds |
| 3rd place | Aston Martin | DBX | 707 | 3.3 seconds |
| 3rd place | Lamborghini | URUS | Performante | 3.3 seconds |
| 7th place | Lamborghini | URUS | All grades | 3.6 seconds |
| 7th place | Audi | RS Q8 | 3.6 seconds | |
| 9th place | Tesla | Model Y | performance | 3.7 seconds |
| 10th place | Porsche | Cayenne Coupe ( with Sport Chrono Package) |
Turbo S E-Hybrid |
3.8 seconds |
| 10th place | Porsche | Cayenne | Turbo S E-Hybrid |
3.8 seconds |
| 10th place | BMW | X5 | M Competition | 3.8 seconds |
| 10th place | Mercedes- Benz |
GLE Coupe | GLE 63 S 4Matic + Coupe |
3.8 seconds |
| 10th place | BMW | iX | M60 | 3.8 seconds |
| 10th place | Alfa Romeo | Stelvio | Quadrifoglio | 3.8 seconds |
| 16th place | Bentley | BENTAYGA SPEED | 3.9 seconds | |
| 16th place | Maserati | Levante | Trofeo | 3.9 seconds |
| 18th place | Jaguar | F-PACE | SVR | 4.0 seconds |
| 19th place | Porsche | Cayenne | Turbo | 4.1 seconds |
| 20th place | Mercedes- Benz |
GLS | Mercedes-AMG GLS63 |
4.2 seconds |
| 21st place | Land Rover | Range Rover Sport | SVR | 4.3 seconds |
| 22nd place | Porsche | Macan | GTS | 4.5 seconds |
| 23rd place | Audi | RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback |
4.5 seconds | |
| 24th place | BMW | iX | xDrive50 | 4.6 seconds |
| 25th place | Mercedes- Benz |
GLC Coupe | Mercedes AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC＋Coupe |
4.7 seconds |
| 25th place | Audi | Q8 | 4.7 seconds | |
| 27th place | Jaguar | I-PACE | 4.8 seconds | |
| 27th place | BMW | X3 | M40i | 4.8 seconds |
| 27th place | Audi | SQ2 | 4.8 seconds | |
| 27th place | Audi | SQ8 | 4.8 seconds | |
| 31st place | Porsche | Cayenne | E-Hybrid | 5.0 seconds |
| 31st place | Volkswagen | Touareg R | 5.0 seconds | |
| 33rd place | Nissan | ARIYA | B9 | 5.1 seconds |
| 33rd place | Mercedes- Benz |
EQC | 5.1 seconds | |
| 35th place | Land Rover | Defender | V8 Bond Edition | 5.2 seconds |
| 35th place | Mercedes- Benz |
GLB | Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4MATIC |
5.2 seconds |
| 37th place | Lexus | RZ | RZ450e | 5.6 seconds |
| 38th place | Audi | e-tron Sportback | 5.7 seconds | |
| 39th place | Mazda | CX-60 PHEV | 5.8 seconds | |
| 40th place | DS Automobiles | DS7 Crossback | E-TENSE | 5.9 seconds |
| 40th place | Peugeot | 3008 | HYBRID4 300 e-EAT8 |
5.9 seconds |
| 42nd place | Porsche | Cayenne Coupe | Platinum Edition | 6.0 seconds |
| 42nd place | Toyota | RAV4 PHV | All grades | 6.0 seconds |
| 42nd place | Lexus | NX | NX450h+ | 6.0 seconds |
| 45th place | Porsche | Cayenne | Platinum Edition | 6.2 seconds |
| 45th place | Audi | Q4 e-tron Q4 Sportback e-tron |
e-tron Quattro | 6.2 seconds |
| 45th place | Volkswagen | ID.4 GTX | 6.2 seconds | |
| 48th place | Porsche | Macan | T | 6.4 seconds |
| 49th place | Renault | Megane E-TECH | 7.2 seconds | |
| 50th place | Toyota | bZ4X | 4WD | 7.7 seconds |
| 51st place | Mitsubishi | Outlander PHEV | 8.2 seconds |
Top 50 SUVs with 0-100km/h acceleration
We will be adding new models to the rankings as they are released.
EVs, HVs, and gasoline vehicles: their respective strengths
Looking at the rankings, we can see that EVs and HVs occupy the top positions. EVs have excellent acceleration performance because they can generate maximum torque immediately after starting due to the characteristics of their motors. HVs combine an engine and motor to achieve both high acceleration performance and fuel efficiency.
On the other hand, gasoline-powered cars are no slouch either. Models equipped with V8 engines, such as the BMW X5 M Competition and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, offer powerful acceleration along with a distinctive engine sound.
The versatility of SUVs: more than just acceleration
The appeal of SUVs isn’t just their acceleration performance. Each manufacturer has a lineup of stylish SUVs that are tailored to their brand image and target demographic.
For example, the Toyota RAV4 and Honda Vezel are popular compact SUVs that are convenient for everyday use, while the Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Class are attractive for their luxurious interiors and excellent off-road capabilities.
In recent years, environmentally friendly plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have also appeared. These models are not only environmentally friendly, but also offer excellent driving performance and convenience.
Summary: Find the perfect SUV for you
SUVs have many different elements to consider, not just acceleration, but also design, driving performance, etc. Use this ranking as a reference to find the SUV that’s perfect for you.
For detailed specifications and driving performance of each model, we recommend referring to each manufacturer’s official website or review articles in automotive media.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
