Lamborghini Urus Performante Obliterates Luxury SUV Rivals in Jaw-Dropping 1/4-Mile Showdown
The heavyweight luxury SUV segment recently witnessed an epic 1/4-mile drag race, featuring some of the most sought-after behemoths on the market. The competitors? None other than the BMW XM, Audi SQ8, Lamborghini Urus Performante, and the beloved Mercedes-AMG G 63. Despite their high-profile pedigrees and eye-watering price tags, these luxury titans were more than ready to prove their worth in absolute performance.
The first contender, the $159,000 AWD BMW XM, flexes its muscles with a 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine paired with an electric motor. This plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up generates 644 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. BMW's sophisticated machinery pushes this nearly 6,100-lb colossus from 0 to 60 mph in a stout 4.1 seconds. An even mightier version, the XM Label, churns out 738 horsepower and slashes the 0 to 60 mph sprint to just 3.6 seconds. With a $185,000 price tag, it aims to offer the ‘ultimate expression of performance and luxury.’
On the other hand, the Lamborghini Urus Performante boasts a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine capable of 657 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Price tags for a 2025 Urus Performante hover around $275,000 and up. Lamborghini claims this beast can roar from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds and can hit a blistering top speed of 190 mph. Even more potent is the Urus SE PHEV, producing 789 hp and a slightly higher top speed of 194 mph. However, it’s a tad slower from 0 to 62 mph, taking 3.4 seconds.
The Audi SQ8 enters the fray with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that, while respectably powerful, pales somewhat next to its rivals. Delivering 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, it’s significantly more budget-friendly at $96,600. For those seeking more punch, the 2024 RS Q8 model delivers 591 hp and starts at around $126,000. However, this particular race pitted the lesser SQ8 against its posh adversaries.
Last but hardly least is the fan-favorite Mercedes-AMG G 63. Under its rugged exterior lies a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Given its burly frame, the G-Wagon completes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in a relatively leisurely 4.5 seconds, with prices starting at $183,000.
The race's initial showdown saw the four SUVs line up for an exhaust sound test before launching towards the finish line. Unsurprisingly, the Lamborghini Urus Performante swiftly took the lead, winning the 1/4-mile dash with a blistering time of 11.8 seconds. The Audi SQ8 followed in second place with 12.3 seconds, while the BMW XM clocked in at 12.5 seconds. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 trailed behind, finishing in 12.9 seconds.
In a second race, the Urus reasserted its dominance even as it struggled slightly off the line. This time, the BMW and Audi swapped places, leaving the G-Class in last once more. Determined to settle the score, the Audi SQ8 and BMW XM tangled in a tiebreaker, with the Audi ultimately humiliating the BMW by crossing the finish line decisively.
To further cement its supremacy, the Urus Performante consistently emerged victorious in a series of 1/2-mile roll races starting from 50 mph. BMW claimed second place in these runs, followed by Audi and, predictably, the Mercedes in fourth.
The competition concluded with a final brake test from 100 mph. Again, the Urus proved unstoppable, stopping first with the Audi in close pursuit. BMW took third place in the braking showdown, and the G-Wagon brought up the rear, their stopping distances illustrating just how much weight and braking prowess matter in high-stakes races. Notably, price differences between the most and least expensive competitors might sway buyers: for the $275,000 Lambo's cost, one could opt for a Mercedes G 63 and still have enough left over to add an Audi SQ8 to the garage.