The Most Powerful SUVs Made By American Brands
They put the “sport” in sport utility vehicle.
SUVs used to be all about off-roading and hauling, but now many of them put an emphasis on the hauling part — as in hauling a**.
Here’s a look at the most powerful models built by each of the U.S. automakers today. For brands that build gas and electric vehicles, we’ve included one of each for comparison.
CADILLAC ESCALADE-V
The Cadillac Escalade-V isn’t just a powerful SUV, it’s the most-powerful vehicle Cadillac has ever sold … so far. The $161,990 full-size body-on-frame truck has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 682 hp and 653 lb-ft that can accelerate the three-ton beast to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ
The Escalade IQ is an entirely different vehicle from its namesake and is powered by an all-electric drivetrain rated at 750 hp and 785 lb-ft. It needs it because it weighs nearly 9,000 pounds, but can still get to 60 mph in less than five seconds.
Read Also: HERE’S WHY THE CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ HAS A ‘1000’ ON ITS TAIL
CHEVROLET BLAZER EV SS
Chevrolet still sells V8-powered Tahoes, but its most powerful SUV is the upcoming $61,995 Blazer EV SS, which has an all-wheel-drive system that’s rated at 557 hp and 648 lb-ft and can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
CHEVROLET TAHOE
The Chevrolet Tahoe isn’t nearly as powerful as the Escalade-V it shares a platform with, but can be ordered with either a 355 hp 5.3-liter V8 or a 420 hp 6.2-liter V8, as can the longer Suburban.
DODGE DURANGO HELLCAT
The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the last vehicle available with Stellantis’ famous supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which is rated at 710 hp in the $97,590 SUV.
FORD EXPEDITION
The 2025 Ford Expedition’s Tremor trim will be equipped with a 440 hp turbocharged V6 when it goes on sale next spring, which will outpower the 418 hp Bronco Raptor that’s available today.
FORD MUSTANG MACH-E
The $60,990 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally off-road performance SUV comes standard with a 480 hp electric all-wheel drive system that’s rated at 700 lb-ft of torque, and you can get it in the street-focused Mustang Mach-E GT for a few thousand dollars less.
GMC YUKON
The GMC Yukon is available with the same 355 hp and 420 hp V8s as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
GMC HUMMER EV SUV
The $106,495 GMC Hummer EV SUV doesn’t have 1,000 hp like the pickup version, but its 830 hp tri-motor electric drivetrain is no slouch.
JEEP GRAND WAGONEER
The $93,945 Jeep Grand Wagoneer has traded its old 471 hp V8 engine for a more powerful 510 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder.
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator comes standard with the same 440 hp turbocharged V6 as the Ford Expedition Tremor across all trims.
LUCID GRAVITY
The 2025 Lucid Gravity will be offered with up to 800 hp and the three-row SUV will be able to accelerate to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds.
RIVIAN R1S
The 2025 Rivian R1S Quad Max going on sale early next year will have a four-motor electric drivetrain with 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft and be able to sprint to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds.
TESLA MODEL X
The $89,380 Tesla Model X Plaid is rated at 1,020 hp and can accelerate to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds.
Read Also: THESE 10 SUVS ARE MOST LIKELY TO REACH 250,000 MILES