European automakers deliver power, speed, performance, and fun in many ways. Most supercars we admire come from legacy names, including Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, and Mercedes-Benz.
Are the fastest European SUVs part of the German performance SUV market, or do they hail from other countries? Can Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Alfa Romeo bring Italy to the top of the list? What brand has the fastest European SUV in the market?
Utilizing data from Kelley Blue Book, Road & Track, and MotorTrend, we’ve compiled a list of the ten fastest European SUVs.
10 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio: A Fast SUV With A Difficult Name
Top Speed: 176 MPH
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is not only the hardest name to pronounce on our list but also the only SUV with a V-6 engine. This powertrain and the lightweight build make this Alfa one of the fastest European SUVs.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 176 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,313 lbs |
| Horsepower | 505 hp |
| Torque | 443 lb-ft |
| Layout | 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 |
Proudly wearing the clover leaf, the Quadrifoglio trim does more than simply add power to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. At this trim, you’ll have larger brakes, an improved suspension, and power at all four wheels, giving you the benefits of AWD. This could be the fast and fun European SUV you love to drive.
9 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: Performance Befitting The Porsche Name
Top Speed: 177 MPH
Powerful V-8 engines still produce impressive speed and power, especially when in the hands of the experts at Porsche. The 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is one of the best German-performance SUVs in the market, sprinting to highway speeds in only 3.7 seconds.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 177 mph |
| Curb Weight | 5,056 lbs |
| Horsepower | 541 hp |
| Torque | 567 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
The Cayenne is a trailblazing performance SUV, proving to the world that Porsche could build more than sports cars. Still, anything bearing the Porsche family crest should have strong performance figures. The Turbo trim sits near the top of the list, giving us one of the fastest European SUVs, bringing an exhilarating drive to the road.
8 2023 BMW X3 M Competition: German Performance At Its Best
Top Speed: 177 MPH
When you want a fast European SUV that also brings impressive features to fit most driving needs, the 2023 BMW X3 M is what you'll want to drive. This small Beemer rockets to 60 mph in a hurry on the way to a significant top speed of 177 mph.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 177 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,610 lbs |
| Horsepower | 503 hp |
| Torque | 479 lb-ft |
| Layout | 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder |
Although fast and impressive, the X3 M is also a capable SUV with ample cargo room and seating for five. The small size of this BMW SUV might make it much more functional as a four-seater. Either way, the 2023 BMW X3 M is one of the fastest European SUVs in the market.
7 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: The Fastest Of the Porsche SUVs
Top Speed: 186 MPH
How many Porsche Cayenne models fit on one list? Considering Porsche adds more power and performance as you climb the trims, several could have made it on this list of ten of the fastest European SUVs. The Turbo GT is the quickest of them all, providing incredible speed and performance with a lighter build than the Turbo S E-Hybrid model.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 186 mph |
| Curb Weight | 5,000 lbs |
| Horsepower | 631 hp |
| Torque | 626 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
If you’ve always admired German brands for engineering and attention to detail, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is for you. This is the fastest German performance SUV, delivering driving systems that not only rocket you to top speeds in a hurry but also carve up the corners on any track or mountain run.
6 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo: Pure Style Rockets By In This Maserati SUV
Top Speed: 187 MPH
The 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo makes perfect sense with a high-powered V-8 engine generating incredible speed on any road. This Ferrari-built engine sends power through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission to rocket this fast SUV to 60 mph in a hurry.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 187 mph |
| Curb Weight | 5,070 lbs |
| Horsepower | 580 hp |
| Torque | 538 lb-ft |
| Layout | 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
Let the power of Poseidon's Trident be your introduction to other drivers. This badge is the Levante's calling card, telling other drivers that you've got something special going on. Will you take this high-end Italian SUV to its top speed? If so, it's time to schedule a little track time to unleash this fast SUV.
5 2023 Audi RS Q8: New A Fast Flagship European SUV
Top Speed: 190 MPH
Add the RS treatments to the Audi flagship SUV, and you've got a high-end luxury SUV with impressive speed and power. This version of the Audi Q8 brings one of the highest top-speed numbers on our list while providing plenty of room for five people to fit comfortably inside.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 mph |
| Curb Weight | 5,490 lbs |
| Horsepower | 591 hp |
| Torque | 590 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
The 2023 Audi RS Q8 is more than just a speed demon. Although one of the fastest European SUVs, it's also smooth, elegant, and packed with impressive tech features. Enjoy a smooth drive thanks to the sport suspension and active anti-roll bars that keep the RS Q8 steady through the corners.
4 2023 Lamborghini Urus: V8 Power Delivering Insane Speed
Top Speed: 190 MPH
Lamborghini knows how to tune an engine for speed and performance. Even the base model of the Lamborghini Urus hits 60 mph in a hurry on the way to an amazing top speed. Most sports cars can’t hit 190 mph, but this fast Italian SUV can certainly do it.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,844 lbs |
| Horsepower | 650 hp |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
The latest version of the Lamborghini Urus hits some of the top performance numbers without adding electrification to the mix. This could mean great things for the future of the Urus when Lamborghini begins to bring electrified SUVs to life.
3 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante: Aggressive Lamborghini SUV Dominance
Top Speed: 190 MPH
The highest trim of the Lamborghini Urus is one of the fastest European SUVs on the entire market. The Performante trim brings more power than the regular models while deleting some weight to make this fast SUV quicker and more engaging to drive.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,740 lbs |
| Horsepower | 666 hp |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
The Urus has proven itself to be a high-performance and capable SUV in nearly every way. In addition to being the top-selling Lamborghini in the world, the Urus is extremely capable on most light to medium trails, making it a complete SUV. When you desire an impressive European SUV, the Lamborghini Urus Performante is an excellent choice if you have the means.
2 2023 Ferrari Purosangue: Expect This Ferrari To Be Among The Fastest SUVs
Top Speed: 192 MPH
Ferrari is one of the final holdouts in the automotive world, refusing to build an SUV until now. The 2023 Ferrari Purosangue is less an SUV and more a performance car on steroids. The Purosangue rides low and brings amazing V12 power to the mix, delivering incredible sprint time and top speed.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 192 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,482 lbs |
| Horsepower | 715 hp |
| Torque | 528 lb-ft |
| Layout | 6.5-liter V12 |
From afar, this Ferrari SUV appears to be a two-door coupe model, making it more similar to the Ferrari sports cars than traditional SUVs. That said, the Purosangue is one of the fastest European SUVs in the world, cementing its place on this list.
1 2023 Aston Martin DBX707: Expected Speed Read For Spy Work
Top Speed: 193 MPH
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 is the fastest SUV on this list. It boasts the greatest top speed and only barely misses the sprint speed of the Lotus Eletre R. When the right SUV is one that can help 007 get out of a jam; the DBX707 is an excellent option.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,940 lbs |
| Horsepower | 697 hp |
| Torque | 663 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
Instead of the typical over-the-top styling and bold lines, the Aston Martin DBX707 is a bit more subdued and useful for family driving needs. Pack up the kids and take them out for a weekend of fun. When you’re alone, hit the accelerator and feel the immense power and performance of the DBX707 as it rockets to your desired speed. This SUV is absolutely amazing.