While sleeper sedans, such as the forgotten Lotus Carlton, are excellent for making fools of performance cars in a variety of situations, for some they don’t provide enough road presence or space. This is where sleeper SUVs come in. They are available with a range of ultra-powerful engines and tend to offer all the luxury and space a gearhead could ever need.
Another reason for opting for an SUV is the presence it gives in any situation. Their large size makes them impossible to miss on the road, and bigger is always better, after all. Of course, another metric that can be used when showing off your vehicle is just how much it costs. For gearheads looking to win the SUV grand prix, HotCars embarked on a mission to find the most expensive sleeper SUV on the market in 2024.
This Is The Rarest Sleeper SUV In 2024
The allure of sleeper SUVs lies in their dual identity, and this luxurious German is no exception to the rule.
Range Rover SV Long Wheelbase Is The Most Expensive Sleeper SUV
2025 Range Rover LWB SV Specs
|
Engine |
4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 |
|
Power |
606 hp |
|
Torque |
553 lb-ft |
|
MSRP |
$235,625 |
|
0-60 MPH |
4.3 seconds |
(Source: Land Rover)
For drivers looking for a performance-focused SUV experience, Land Rover’sRange Rover Sport is an excellent option. It features stiffer suspension and a lower center of gravity, as well as a potent range of V8s available under the hood, to make it feel more like a car in the way it drives. For those looking to get one over their peers though, it’s a little too small and cheap to be taken seriously.
The term ‘go big or go home’ comes to mind, which is why the standard Range Rover is the way to go. Following this choice, the box for the long wheelbase version, which is around eight inches longer than the normal vehicle, should be ticked. With the size problem sorted courtesy of the 204.7-inch mammoth, the cost situation can be sorted by selecting the SV variant.
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Range Rover SV Brings Muscle And Understated Styling
SV, which stands for Special Vehicle, is the top trim line available for the Range Rover. It’s only available with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that produces 606 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to scare most sports cars. Despite the Range Rover SV weighing in at an insane 6,153 pounds, its powerful engine pulls it to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
This is as fast as a Ford Mustang GT with a 5.0-liter V8 and a BMW M440i, which comes with a 382 hp 3.0-liter straight-six. The V8 is also supported by a mild electric drivetrain with an onboard system that converts energy recovered during braking into usable power. This takes the pressure off the engine during acceleration, which helps to boost gas mileage. An eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to the mighty V8.
All of this is despite the Range Rover coming with its iconic four-wheel drive system and all the related bits that make it one of the most effective off-roaders on the market today. To stop such a big and heavy beast, Land Rover added a beefy braking setup to the mix. Huge 400 mm discs are used on the front, while 370 mm components are utilized at the rear. The whole system is ventilated to help keep them cool and working optimally under heavy use.
You get all this, and a whole lot more, for a cool $235,625. This makes the Range Rover SV LWB the most expensive sleeper SUV you can buy in 2024.
These German SUVs Have A Reliability Rating Of At Least 81/100
Toyota isn’t the other automaker turning out reliable and sought-after SUVs these days. Audi and BMW have quite a few luxurious SUVs that are up to the reliability task. The most reliable model earns a J.D. Power reliability rating of 89/100 and offers the performance that comes with 382 horsepower.
The Range Rover SV Has Luxury Covered Too
The Range Rover plays up to the term ‘multi-purpose vehicle’ as well as any other vehicle on the market in 2024. Not only does it promise the performance of a muscle car, in a straight line at least, but it can also climb every mountain and ford every stream courtesy of its off-road enhancements. This isn’t everything it can do though, as it also nails being a top-end luxury vehicle too.
The SV variant primarily brings along greater interior personalization when compared to lower-tier models, with two themed packs to choose from. The SV Serenity is geared towards pure luxury, as it features silver and bronze colored trim and 23-inch wheels.
For those who want more of a purposeful look, the SV Intrepid pack may be for you. Here, the exterior trim is coated in dark anthracite, a color also used on the same 23-inch wheels. This continues on the inside, with the Serenity pack featuring lighter and more relaxing colors and the Intrepid set coming with darker and more aggressive tones.
Range Rover’s Impressive Technology
The SV also comes with a rear-seat entertainment system. This consists of a pair of 13.1-inch screens, which come paired with high-performance headphones. This is especially handy for the driver, who can focus on deflating the egos of muscle car drivers off the lights while his passengers are none the wiser.
The LWB SV also comes with the option of a “Signature Suite”. A wood center console runs right through the center of the car, a component that houses an aluminum table and cupholders. On command, these can rise up electrically from the console. While suave, the option isn’t exactly cheap at nearly $20,000. For gearheads looking for an ultra-expensive sleeper SUV, it’s impossible to beat the mighty Ranger Rover LWB SV in 2024.
The Rarest Sleeper SUV With More Than 500 HP In 2024
Hiding behind the upcoming 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and the moonshot-made-real Hummer EV is GM’s reinstatement of luxury with power.
BMW XM Label Is Another Expensive Plus-Sized Sleeper
2024 BMW XM Label Specs
|
Engine |
4.4-liter twin-turbo plug-in hybrid V8 |
|
Power |
738 hp |
|
Torque |
738 lb-ft |
|
MSRP |
$185,000 |
|
0-60 MPH |
3.6 seconds |
(Source: BMW)
For those who feel the Range Rover doesn’t quite have enough grunt, a cheaper option from BMW may fit the bill. The XM Label is the German manufacturer’s range-topping full-size SUV and, unlike the Range Rover LWB SV, it comes as a plug-in hybrid. It can travel up to 30 miles on EV power alone, though it’s most effective when twinned with the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood.
With the engine making 577 hp on its own, the 194 hp electric powertrain boosts overall grunt up to 738 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Traction is excellent too, as a result of its four-wheel drive system. Its weight of 6,161 lbs, which is slightly higher than the Range Rover, doesn’t do much to blunt its acceleration.
10 Fast Sleeper SUVs With Bulletproof Reliability
Big, heavy SUVs don’t need to be slow and boring. These powerful sleepers are fast, and built to last.
The XM Label can hit 60 mph in a blazing 3.6 seconds, well over half a second quicker than the SV. It also comes in significantly cheaper, with the XM Label starting at a comparatively cheap $185,000. As a pure performance sleeper, the BMW has the Range Rover well and truly beat. The latter is arguably the more luxurious though, with the former featuring a more aggressive interior.
Bucket-style seats are a stark contrast to the more armchair-like seats used in the Range Rover, while the infotainment system display gives a sportier vibe. There’s even a suspension setup tuned by BMWs legendary M division, which further adds to its sporting pretensions.
For gearheads looking for a sleeper SUV purely for performance purposes, the much cheaper BMW is likely the perfect choice. Drivers looking to secure the ultimate statement of intent, but who still want the design of their SUV to be understated, are best off going for the $235,000 Range Rover LWB SV.
Sources: Land Rover, BMW, Marlow Cars, Hardwick Sports and Prestige, Collecting Cars
