We spend loads of time reviewing sports and supercars that we tend to forget all about the SUV realm. Back in the 1980s, when the SUV was just starting to become the new fad, there were no performance models to speak of.

In the 1990s, we caught a glimpse of out first true performance SUV, as the GMC Typhoon hit the market in very limited numbers. The Typhoon boasted stout numbers, as GM managed to pump a full 280 ponies from its typically underwhelming 4.3-liter engine. To boot, the Typhoon is still competitive today – in terms of speed – as it hots 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds and clears the quarter in 14.1 ticks.

Unfortunately, the Typhoon was only a 2-door model and lacked the typical SUV utility. GMC also produced a little over 4,000 examples, so they were and remain very scarce. What's cool though, is just how closely matched the Typhoon still is when compared to today's performance SUVs. It'll never beat the likes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or the Porsche Cayenne, but it can certainly hold its own pretty well, especially for a 19-year-old SUV.

We took a look at the current world of performance SUVs to figure out who is top dog. Click past the jump to find out the results.

2013 BMW X6

Engine and Performance

2013 is bringing about a slight revision to the X6 lineup, including LED adaptive headlights, LED taillights, and a small revision to the front-end styling. The X6 essentially comes in just three trim levels, xDrive35i, xDrive50i, and M, the latter being the beast of the group. The 35i model boasts an impressive turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line 6-pot that pumps out 300 ponies and 300 pound-feet of torque, which helps get it to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. This version of the X6 nets you 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

Moving up one level to the 50i trim level, you get a boosted 4.4-liter V-8 engine that pumps out 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This gets the xDrive50i to 60 mph in an impressive 5.2 seconds, right in line with the Typhoon from the early 1990s. This model is slightly more thirsty at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highways.

The highest trim level, the X6 M, nets you 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque out of a re-tuned version of the boosted 4.4-liter V-8. This gets you to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs on the market. In exchange for the extra power, you lose economy, as the X6 M gets 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. That's not terrible, but it's not good either.

Utility

Problem No. 1, the X6 only seats up to four people, so that eliminates those with a family of five or more. The X6 is definitely one of the more heavy-lifting SUVs of the bunch, as all of its trim levels can tow up to 6,000 lbs, when you equip it with towing components. It can also handle up to 937 lbs of payload. Though it has the payload capacity, actual cargo capacity is limited to 25 cubic-feet with the seats up and 60 cubic-feet with the seats folded.

Looks and Features

The X6 is downright sexy and there is no argument that can change our minds. It's sleek, bubbly, and aggressive all at the same time, plus it's a Bimmer->ke178, so what more can you expect.

You also get a plethora of standard features, including:

-19-inch wheels

-Automatic and adaptive xenon headlights with auto-leveling and LED halo running lights and foglamps

-Power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors

automatic wipers

-Sunroof

-Power liftgate

-Front and rear parking sensors

-Keyless ignition

-Cruise control

-Dual-zone automatic climate control

-Heated 10-way power front seats with four-way lumbar adjustment and driver memory functions

-Leather upholstery

-10-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface

Pricing

Well, when it comes to buying a family car, the pricing is really what counts after you outline all of your family needs. Being a BMW, this is where the X6 takes a serious hit. It bases out at $59,800 in the 35i model, $70,400 in the 50i model, and a whopping $92,900 in the M model.

Pros

Cons

Awesome engine selection from bottom to top

Poor fuel economy on the M

Looks great on the inside and out

Very expensive

Agile for an SUV

Tips the scales around 5,000 lbs

Standard AWD

Expensive repairs in the future

6,000-pound Towing capacity

Only four seats and limited cargo room


2013 Ford Explorer Sport

Engine and Performance

The Explorer Sport is hotly debated, as many Explorer traditionalists say it is an unnecessary model in the Explorer lineup. We don't think it is unnecessary, as there is a market for it, but we don't like the naming choice. It should have carried the SHO name. Bearing the “Sport” logo just reminds us of the underwhelming and nearly useless 2-door Explorers of the 1990s. Back on track here... The 2013 Explorer Sport boasts a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that will pump out 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. This all connects to a 6-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission and comes standard with all-wheel drive.

There is no 0 to 60 time listed for it, but Ford estimates it at two seconds faster than the V-6 model, which places it at about 6.3 seconds. That time is just fast enough to get it on this list, so we will consider this a conditional entry until the final models are tested by us media folk next month. It will also boast an economy rating of 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway

Utility

Again, we are awaiting all of the details, but we do know that when it is equipped with Ford's trailer tow package it can tow up to 5,000 lbs. It also gives you just 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, but fold those rear seats and you get 43 cubic-feet. When you fold the second row of seats, you get a cavernous 80.7 cubic-feet of cargo room. Giving it a huge advantage thus far is the fact that it seats up to seven people.

Looks and Features

People complain and boo-hoo about the Explorer dropping its body-on-frame design and its truck-like body. Well, folks, that is just the direction the SUV world is taking. We actually like this changeover and we're not seeing huge decreases in effective towing capacities. The Explorer's new body is flat-out stunning to us and really eliminates the old looks that Ford drove into the ground in the past Explorer generations.

The new Explorer is also chock-full of new features that are standard, including:

-Interior air filtration

-Three zone climate control

-Cargo area light

-Simulated alloy trim on center console

-Simulated alloy trim on dash

-Simulated alloy trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Alloy and leather trim on shift knob

-Leather and simulated alloy steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Turn signal in mirrors

-Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Sony premium brand stereo system

-Sony premium brand speakers

-12 total speakers

-Video monitor

-Audio/Video Input

-390 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-Sirius XM satellite radio

-Auxiliary audio input and iPod/iPhone integration

-1 subwoofer(s)

-5.1 surround audio (discrete)

-6 Months of provided satellite radio service

-Memory card slot

-USB connection

-Navigation

-Blue-Tooth capabilities

Pricing

The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport will carry with it a base MSRP of $41,545. That puts the Explorer well below the base model X6, yet it carries about the same number of features.

Pros

Cons

High-output V-6 engine

Average fuel economy

Awesome new exterior

Low cargo capacity with rear seats up

Cavernous cargo area with seats folded

No official 0 to 60 time

Sharp-looking interior

Turbos can cause later issues

Totally loaded

The “Sport” name isn't prestigious enough


2012/2013 Infiniti FX

Engine and Performance

The Infiniti FX->ke1260 line includes the FX35 and FX50 for the 2012 model year, but the 2013 model year is just around the corner with the FX37 and FX50. The FX35 comes in about 0.1 seconds too slow to 60 mph for us to consider it a sports SUV – hey, we had to draw the line somewhere. The FX50 in both model years qualify, as will the more powerful 2013 FX37. The FX37 has yet to have its details fully released, but we anticipate its 3.7-liter engine to push out about 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque – a 27-horsepower increase and an 8 pound-foot increase. The FX50, on the other hand, is well known already. It will boast a 5.0-liter V-8 that will produce 390 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Both the FX37 and FX50 run their power through a 7-speed shiftable automatic before shipping said power to all four wheels.

The 2013 FX37 will get a respectable 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The 2012/2013 FX50 sees a steep decrease in mileage, netting just 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

The FX50 will likely boast the same 5.5-second sprint to 60 mph as the 2012 model year did. The 2012 FX35 came in at 6.6 seconds to 60 mph, just out of our range, but the extra power gained from the 3.7-liter V-6 should push that time down to roughly 6.4 seconds.

Utility

The FX35 lists no tow rating, but it does list an impressive 1,213-pound maximum payload amount. The FX50 can tow up to 3,500 pounds and can take up to 1,182 pounds of payload. With the seats all in place, the FX series can hold just 24.8 cubic-feet of cargo, but when you fold all of the seats except the front, you can fit up to 62 cubic-feet of stuff in it. Not necessarily impressive, but still acceptable. The FX series is a little better than the BMW in passenger room, but still falls short of desirable with its 5-person seating capacity.

Looks and Features

The Infiniti FX line has a very fluid design that you will either love or hate, there's no in the middle. We actually find its unique design favorable and very modern. It's swooping roof line gives it a very nice side profile appearance and makes it look fast just sitting there. The interior is clean until you reach the center stack, which is a massive cluster of confusing knobs and buttons that would make a rocket scientist feel baffled. Short of that one area, though, the rest of the interior is sharp and luxurious.

Standard features on the FX50 include:

-Interior air filtration

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cargo area light

-Alloy, leather and wood trim on center console

-Alloy and leather trim on dash

-Alloy, leather and wood trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Leather and simulated alloy trim on shift knob

-Leather steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Turn signal in mirrors

-Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Memorized settings for 2 drivers

-Bose stereo system

-Bose speakers

-11 total speakers

-Video monitor

-DVD player

-300 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD/DVD with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-XM w/NavTraffic satellite radio

-Speed sensitive volume control

-Auxiliary audio input and iPod integration

-2 subwoofers

-3 Months of provided satellite radio service

-Radio data system

-USB connection

-Navigation and Bluetooth

The FX37 will come standard with:

-Interior air filtration

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cargo area light

-Wood trim on center console

-Wood trim on dash

-Wood trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Leather and simulated alloy trim on shift knob

-Leather steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Turn signal in mirrors

-Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Bose premium brand stereo system

-Bose premium brand speakers

-11 total speakers

-300 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-XM satellite radio

-Speed sensitive volume control

-Auxiliary audio input and iPod integration

-2 subwoofer(s)

-3 Months of provided satellite radio service

-Radio data system

-USB connection

-Bluetooth integration

Pricing

The Infiniti FX37 will actually boast a very fair price, for an Infiniti, as it will have a base MSRP of $44,300. Alternatively, you can opt for the higher-performance and better-loaded FX50 for $60,650 on a 2013 model or $59,800 on a 2012 model. You may actually be able to get a better discount on a 2012 model this late in the model year.

Pros

Cons

High-output V-6 and V-8 engines

Low fuel economy

Nice exterior

Low cargo capacity

Loaded with features

Very quick with both engines

Nice price for a luxury SUV

The 3.7-liter V-6 has had noise complaints in the past

Well equipped as a base model

That center stack is a mess


2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Finally, an American model makes its way into this list in the form of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is pretty much a year-by-year model and could be discontinued at any moment. For now, it remains as the top level of the Jeep lineup. Boasting a 6.4-liter V-8 Hemi engine, this beast pumps out 470 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, all without the aid of any forced induction.

It pushed this power through a 5-speed shiftable automatic before heading out to all four wheels. This combination is good for a sprint to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. This stomps the competition into a pulp then gives its foot a twist for good measure. The only one that beats it is the $92,000 BMW X6 M at 4.4 seconds. It even beats out the $70,400 BMW X6 xDrive50i by 0.2 seconds. The down side is its 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway efficiency ratings.

Utility

The Grand Cherokee has long been known as one of the most utilitarian SUVs around, but the SRT8 is somewhat disappointing in this area. It does not have a towing rating, which is likely due to its suspension setup. It can, however, handle up to 1,350 lbs of payload, 35.1 cubic-feet of cargo with the seats up and 68.7 cubic-feet with the seats down. It does not boast a third row, so it can only seat up to five people.

Looks and Features

We love the new body style for the Grand Cherokee, and the SRT8 just builds onto our love. Its large hood scoops, revised front fascia, revised rims and 4-inch exhaust tips just set the entire thing off. The interior just continues to impress with its soft, yet sturdy racing seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel, suede door inserts, carbon-fiber dash inserts and SRT badge work.

The standard features on the Grand Cherokee SRT8 include:

-Interior air filtration

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cargo area light

-Alloy and leather trim on center console

-Carbon trim on dash

-Carbon, alloy and leather trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Leather trim on shift knob

-Leather and alloy steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Heated steering wheel

-Turn signal in mirrors

-Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Memorized audio system settings

-Memorized settings for 2 drivers

-Alpine premium brand speakers

-9 total speakers

-Video monitor

-DVD player

-506 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD/DVD with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-Sirius w/Sirius traffic satellite radio

-Auxiliary audio input and iPod integration

-1 subwoofer(s)

-12 Months of provided satellite radio service

-USB connection

-Hard drive based display w/voice activation and directions navigation system

-Pre-wired for phone

-Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone

-Real time traffic

Pricing

The 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 comes at a relatively bargain price, $54,670. That's far less than the only SUV that beat it to 60 mph, the 2013 BMW X6 M. You can dang near buy two Grand Cherokee SRT0s for the price of one X6 M. To boot, it comes completely stacked with options.

Pros

Cons

It's got a Hemi!

Drinks gas like it's going out of style

Beautifully upgraded from the already stellar Grand Cherokee looks

Low cargo capacity with seats up

Loaded with features

5.1 seconds to 60 mph is fast enough for us

A bargain for what you're getting

The Hemi is a proven engine that has no track record of problems

Makes a sweet noise

May be discontinued at any time


2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged

Engine and Performance

Land Rover actually enters this competition with its Range Rover Supercharged. It boasts a 5.0-liter V-8 engine with a supercharger. It pumps out a massive 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. This all connects to a 6-speed shiftable automatic and gets this beast to 60 mph in only 5.1 seconds.

Unfortunately with great power comes great fuel consumption, the Range Rover Supercharged gets just 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway.

Utility

Land Rover made sure that this powerful SUV was ready to tow, as it can handle up to 7,716 lbs hanging off of its rear end and 1,126 lbs of payload. It can handle a maximum of 71 cubic-feet of cargo, so it is only average, but acceptable. Seating is limited to only five people.

Looks and Features

On the outside, the Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged has the stereotypical SUV look: flat nose , steep windshield and flat roof. Land Rover did do a good job modernizing this look, but it's still a little boring compared to the competition. The interior is your typical Land Rover rugged-meets-luxury interior, which we love. It has beautifully coated seats and the rear seats are set upward a little to give passengers a good view of the road too. The center stack is very well laid out with only the necessary gadgetry.

The Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged boasts the following standard features:

-Interior air filtration

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cooled storage compartment

-Cargo area light

-Alloy, leather and wood trim on center console

-Alloy, leather and wood trim on dash

-Alloy, leather and wood trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Alloy and leather trim on shift knob

-Leather steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Heated steering wheel

-Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Memorized settings for 3 drivers

-Memorized settings includes steering wheel

-Harman/kardon premium brand stereo system

-Harman/kardon premium brand speakers

-Separate rear audio

-11 total speakers

-380 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD/DVD with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-Sirius satellite radio

-Auxiliary audio input and iPod integration

-1 subwoofer

-Radio data system

-USB connection

-Hard drive based display w/voice activation and directions navigation system

-Pre-wired for phone

-Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone

-Real time traffic

Pricing

The Range Rover Supercharged comes in at $75,245, which is pretty high, considering what you can get elsewhere for that price. However, it's luxurious featured are on par with the BMW X5 xDrive50i and it is faster, more rugged looking and better off of the beaten path.

Pros

Cons

510 horsepower makes us drool

Gulps gas like crazy

Refined, yet rugged looks

Not much cargo space

5.2 seconds to 60 mph is impressive

Doesn't look like a 2012 model

Huge towing capacity

If something breaks, get ready for a big bill

Works well off-road

Pretty hefty at 5,500 lbs


2012 Mercedes ML63 AMG

Engine and Performance

Okay, onto the ML63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz's monster SUV. This beast hides a 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG-built engine under its hood that hooks up with a 7-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This tranny pushes the power to all four wheels to get it to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds – that puts now two SUVs faster to 60 than the Grand Cherokee SRT8.

You had better not pass up any gas stations though, as this pig gets just 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.

Utility

The ML63 AMG can haul up to 7,200 pounds from its rear end, giving it the second-highest towing capacity on the list so far. You can stuff just five people in its seats and when you fold the seats down, you can fit up to 71 cubic-feet of cargo in its back end.

Looks and Features

The interior of the ML63 AMG is frankly awesome. It is pure luxury, as it boasts two-tone leather upholstery, wood and metallic accents. The interior is pretty plain at first glance, but once yo look closely you'll see a refinement process that obviously took many hours of planning to execute correctly.

On the outside, the ML63 AMG boasts a fantastic shape that combines class and utility into one package. Sharp body lines and 5-spoke rims set the entire package off.

The standard features on the ML63 AMG include:

-Interior active charcoal air filter

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cargo area light

-Leather and wood trim on center console

-Leather and wood trim on dash

-Leather and wood trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Leather and alloy steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Turn signal in mirrors

-Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Memorized settings includes audio system

-Memorized settings for 3 drivers

-Memorized settings passenger seat settings

-Memorized settings includes steering wheel

-Diversity antenna

-Harman/kardon premium brand speakers

-14 total speakers

-Video monitor

-DVD player

-830 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash 6 CD/DVD with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-Sirius XM satellite radio

-Speed sensitive volume control

-Auxiliary audio input and iPod/iPhone integration

-1 subwoofer

-5.1 surround audio

-6 Months of provided satellite radio service

-Memory card slot

-Radio data system

-USB connection

-Hard drive based display w/voice activation and directions navigation system

-Mbrace telecommunications service

-Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone

-Real time traffic

Pricing

With all of those features and a super-powerful engine, you can expect a super-high price tag. The ML63 AMG delivers said price tag, at $94,990. It's just about equal with the BMW on all counts, but offers more luxury that the X6.

Pros

Cons

7,200-pound towing

Gas guzzler

Luxurious look

Needs more cargo space

Loaded with features

no third-row seat

Beautiful interior

Loose steering

Nice mixture of function and finesse

Very expensive


2013 Porsche Cayenne

Engine and Performance

The Porsche->ke1 Cayenne S, GTS and Turbo all come in under 6.5 seconds, qualifying them for this list. The base model and Diesel models are both over seven seconds, disqualifying them for this competition. The Cayenne S features a 4.8-liter V-8 engine that pushes out 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GTS model boasts a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter engine that pumps 380 pound-feet of torque. Lastly, the turbo model punches out 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 4.80liter V-8. Each model uses an 8-speed transmission to transfer the power to all four wheels.

The Cayenne S, GTS and Turbo hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, 5.4 seconds and 4.4 seconds, respectively. All three are extremely impressive, but the Turbo takes the cake.

The Cayenne S gets 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, the GTS gets 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, and the Turbo gets 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. All three are pretty acceptable for the type of vehicle they are, but still pretty low.

Utility

Surprisingly, the Porsche Cayenne tows up to 7,716 lbs across the model that we have listed above. As for payload, the S carries up to 1,709 lbs, the GTS hauls up to 1,664 lbs and the Turbo model hauls 1,565 lbs. All three models can carry up to five passengers and 60.2 cubic-feet of cargo with the seats down.

Looks and Features

We're on the fence with the Cayenne when it comes to its outward looks. It is stylish, yet doesn't quite fit the “Porsche” name. It is a very popular model, so it's obvious that people must like the way it looks. Just like the Infiniti, the Porsche's interior is great until you reach its center stack, as it is loaded with buttons and knobs. This clutters it all up and really takes away from the rest of the interior.

The Porsche Cayenne S and GTS come with the following features:

-Interior active charcoal air filter

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cooled storage compartment

-Cargo area light

-Leather and simulated alloy trim on center console

-Leather and simulated alloy trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Alloy and leather trim on shift knob

-Leather and simulated alloy steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Memorized settings for 3 drivers

-10 total speakers

-100 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-Speed sensitive volume control

-Radio data system

-Pre-wired for phone

-Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone

The Cayenne Turbo includes:

-Interior active charcoal air filter

-Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger

-Cooled storage compartment

-Cargo area light

-Alloy and leather trim on center console

-Alloy and leather trim on dash

-Alloy and leather trim on doors

-Front and rear reading lights

-Alloy and leather trim on shift knob

-Leather and simulated alloy steering wheel

-Front and rear floor mats

-Heated steering wheel

-Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

-Memorized settings includes climate control

-Memorized settings for 3 drivers

-Memorized settings passenger seat settings

-Memorized settings includes steering wheel

-10 total speakers

-100 watts stereo output

-AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo

-Speed sensitive volume control

-Radio data system

Pricing

The Cayenne S starts out at $65,850, the GTS jumps up to 82,050 and the Turbo tops the lineup at $108,750. On the bottom end, the Cayenne remains competitive, but at the high end, it only competes with the Mercedes ML63 AMG, giving it a long uphill battle to take home top honors.

Pros

Cons

7,716-pound towing

Low fuel economy

Sporty look

Needs more cargo space

S model is relatively affordable

Exterior is boring in certain spots

Very fast, especially the Turbo model

Turbo model is extremely expensive

Porsche pedigree

Body style is getting very dated


Winner

So, as an SUV, it needs to be able to do three things well: tow, carry passengers, and haul cargo. As a “Sports” model, it needs to be quick and handle well. In order to get this perfect balance, we need to eliminate the pricing and look at the mechanical facts. With that in mind, we have to opt for the Mercedes ML63 AMG. It's not quite the most expensive SUV on the list, but it is definitely the most well-rounded SUV of the group. It tows 7,200 lbs, hauls five passengers, is fully loaded, looks good, rides well, and is F-A-S-T, fast!

Let us know what you think in the comments. Which SUV did we leave off that you would have added? Do you think a different one on our list deserved to win? Let us know!