This race is for heavyweights only, quite figuratively, because one weighs almost 6,100 lbs. or close to 2.8 metric tons. Among these extremely expensive and renowned SUVs, we count the BMW XM, Audi SQ8, Lamborghini Urus Performante, and the all-time favorite, the Mercedes-AMG G 63. Unfortunately, the latter is not the new fancy Merc that can pull a mid-traffic 180 spin on the spot, just to intimidate the driver honking behind you at the red light.
The $159,000 AWD BMW XM (PHEV) is the first to greet. It features an impressive 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine that works in cahoots with an electric motor, delivering 644 horsepower and 590 lb-ft or 800 Nm of torque. According to BMW, the model with the auto gearbox should be able to propel all those 6,094 lbs. of curb weight forward from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.
However, there's an even faster version, the XM Label, which produces 738 horsepower and boasts a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. This "ultimate expression of performance and luxury," as BMW calls it, costs $185,000, which is $26k more expensive than the standard one from this race. Behind the non-Label XM is Mat Watson from the "carwow" YouTube channel.
Next, there's the Lamborghini Urus Performante, which has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 657 hp or 666 ps on tap. It also produces 627 lb-ft or 850 Nm of twist. A 2025 Urus Performante has been seen in the wild with a dangling price tag of $275,000 and up. Lamborghini says it should be able to pull off a 3.3-second time from 0 to 62 mph or 100 kilometers per hour, and if you keep going, it will reach a top speed of 190 mph or 306 kph.
Photo: carwow
The more powerful Urus SE PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) version produces 789 hp or 800 ps. While it is 0.1 seconds slower than the Performante from 0 to 62, at 3.4 seconds, it has a higher top speed of 194 mph (312 kph).
The next Audi SUV (pun intended), the SQ8, packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that is slightly underwhelming in the power department. Compared to its rivals, it only produces 500 hp and 568 lb-ft or 770 Nm of torque. At least it's much cheaper than the Lambo, starting from $96,600. The more beefed-up model, the 2024 RS Q8, starts from around $126k and produces 591 hp with 590 lb-ft or 801 Nm of torque. Sadly, the RS isn't in this race.
Last but not least, we have the fan-favorite Mercedes-AMG G 63. It is equipped with a "handcrafted" AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 577 hp and 627 lb-ft or 850 Nm of torque. Under the right conditions, it could hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which is quite slow compared to the Urus that can do it in less than 3.5 seconds. The price for the G-Class SUV in the US starts from $183,000, but sadly, it cannot perform a 180 or 360 tank turn as the EQG model does.
After a proper exhaust sound test, the four elephants took off for the finish line. The first one to cross it was the Lamborghini Urus Performante, with the Audi SQ8 in second place, the BMW XM in a very close third, and the Mercedes-AMG G 63 in last place.
During the second race, the Urus won again, even though it bogged down during launch. The BMW and Audi switched podium places, and the G-Class was last. Because the SQ8 and XM were so close again but with opposite results, they decided to go for another one to determine the true winner between these two. Consequently, the Audi SQ8 humiliated the BMW XM in the third race while costing $62,400 less.
Photo: carwow
Now for the race times! The Lambo won every event, with the fastest 1/4-mile time of 11.8 seconds. The Audi was the runner-up with 12.3 seconds, while its nemesis, the BMW XM, took 12.5 seconds to cross the finish line. Lastly, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 took its time and did 12.9 seconds.
After establishing the Lambo's dominance, they went for a few 1/2-mile roll races from 50 mph or 80 kph. It doesn't come as a surprise that the Urus won again each time. The top-of-the-line BMW SUV took second place, Audi came in third, and the G-Wagon was last.
During a post-race chat, the four drivers decided that while the Lamborghini was the prettiest car there, the AMG G 63 was cooler and, therefore, superior-looking.
The final event was the usual brake test from 100 mph or 161 kilometers per hour. The Urus took home the gold again, with the Audi in second place. The BMW was third to stop, with the G-Wagon in an abysmal last place.
The difference between the winner and loser was huge, about five car lengths, which makes one seriously consider a car's weight and how well the brakes hold. At the same time, there's also quite the price difference to consider between the $275,000 Lambo and the $183,000 G-Class. You could buy the Mercedes G 63 and, for an extra $5,000, also get the new Audi SQ8, which got the Silver medal at the end of the day.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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