There was quite a bit of backlash when Bentley released its first-ever SUV – the Bentayga. Here was a brand so rooted in luxury saloons that its production of a high-riding model seemed to clang heavily against everything it had done in the past.

Fortunately, sceptics needn’t have been sceptical as the Bentayga turned out to be every bit the ‘proper’ Bentley and it also had a massive impact on the company’s fortunes. There’s good reason why it was such a hit; the Bentayga offers the raised seating position that drivers love, but it still has the luxurious finish and high-end materials that you’d expect from this Crewe-based company.

It doesn’t hang around, either, as with both W12 and V8 engines on offer it’s plenty powerful enough. If you’re after something a little cleaner for the environment, then Bentley also produced a plug-in hybrid version of the Bentayga.

It could be argued that the Cayenne is the car that saved Porsche. While you might think of the 911 as the firm’s most popular car, it’s actually the high-riding Cayenne which gets snapped up by buyers most of all.

That’s good news, too, because it means there’s a plentiful supply on the used market to check out. This latest generation of Cayenne brought a new level of sharpness to the driving experience while continuing the great build quality that had been seen on older models. It’s available with a variety of engines, too, but what shines through on the Cayenne is how well it goes around corners – this is a large, luxury SUV which goes around bends like a car half its weight.

The Mercedes GLS is where you’ll want to head if you want a combination of luxury and seven-seater versatility. It’s the largest SUV that Mercedes has to offer, so if people-carrying ability is what you’re after then this could be the car for you.

Effectively an SUV version of the Mercedes S-Class, the GLS has all of the functions that you’d expect from a high-end model such as comfortable, luxurious seats and loads of pleasant materials. Plus, with its air suspension setup, the GLS has the kind of pillow-soft ride that you’d associate with a luxury SUV, helping to take the backache out of those longer journeys,

Audi broke into the emerging EV market with its e-tron back in 2019, with this comfortable and well-appointed battery-powered SUV showcasing what we could expect from the German firm’s upcoming electric vehicles.

As a result, Audi threw the works at the e-tron with loads of great materials used throughout. It also benefitted from some of the firm’s latest technology, with a snazzy dual-screen infotainment system giving quick and easy access to media, navigation and heating controls. It’s a remarkably comfortable car, too, and is noticeably quiet at speed.

Depreciation hasn’t been kind to the e-tron, but this means it represents an almost unbelievable used buy. Opt for the 55 quattro if you want the longest range of around 254 miles.

BMW’s X7 is a leviathan of the road and towers over pretty much every other car out there. Not only that, but BMW’s quirky styling approach has been brought to the fore with the X7, as its huge kidney grilles and super-slim headlights make this a used luxury SUV which looks like no other.

Inside, the X7 is adorned with loads of excellent materials and features. A lot of cars come with snazzy crystal gear selectors which look particularly high-end, while each row of this seven-seater is comfortable and well-appointed with all cars getting four-zone climate control to ensure that everyone can get their own temperature spot-on. You’ll find that most versions get heated front and rear seats, too.

It feels like the Audi Q7 is an ever-present sight on our roads and, given that the latest version has been around since 2015, it is something of a longstanding contender in the luxury SUV segment.

This well-finished seven-seater SUV makes for a great used buy due to its frequency in the second-hand market. Grab the keys to one and you’ll get a refined and comfortable driving experience, while the solid-planted feel that the Q7 incorporates manages to disguise some of its size and weight. There’s a good number of engines to choose from, too, with the diesels being particularly smooth and well-suited to a car like this. The build quality is top-notch, too – this a car which feels made to last.

The Range Rover is often seen as the go-to luxury SUV. It’s been a presence on our roads for decades, delivering both go-anywhere capability alongside a beautifully appointed cabin. The Range Rover also has a classless appeal that ensures it looks at home wherever it goes.

This fourth-generation Range Rover saw this model really get into its stride, combining the old-school features that drivers expected as well as a new-found focus on technology. The V6 diesels that power this generation of Range Rover are particularly impressive due to their refined nature and surprising efficiency – though this is still a car that will prove expensive to run. Inside, you’ve got a commanding driving position that gives you a good view of the road ahead, while rear-seat occupants can enjoy plenty of legroom.

BMW’s line-up of electric vehicles has expanded significantly over recent years, with one of its core new additions being the iX. It’s a luxurious electric SUV with a head-turning design which helps it to stand out from the crowd.

Inside, you’ll find a high-end finish throughout with good materials used across the board. We’re big fans of the iX’s wraparound screen setup, too, which combines the infotainment system and usual driver displays under one seemingly flush piece of glass. It looks superb and it’s easy to use, too. Standard ’40’ models have a claimed range of up to 254 miles though if you can trump for the ’50’ version that number rises 280 miles. A range-topping M60 iX is also there if you’re after some extra performance – it can do 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Jaguar got in on the electric SUV market well ahead of its rivals when it introduced the original I-Pace back in 2018. Here was a car with all of the features and fittings you’d expect from a ‘proper’ Jaguar, but with a clean-running battery-powered setup that delivered a good amount of range alongside a healthy dose of performance.

Today, the I-Pace represents an absolute steal on the used market with these tech-loaded SUVs now available for a fraction of their brand-new cost. Inside, the I-Pace has a clever dual-screen setup, while all cars come with loads of equipment such as heated seats and a full climate control system. A range of up to 292 miles is good even by today’s standards, meaning that you’re still able to travel a good distance in between trips to the plug.

Range Rover aimed to plug the gap between the more dynamic Sport and the full-fat model when it introduced the Velar in 2017. It made a big impact, with this eye-catching model combining a bit of both of those cars traits. It’s still superb off-road, too, with JLR’s full suite of go-anywhere features being aboard to ensure that the Velar can tackle the worst conditions – despite the sumptuous materials onboard.

The Velar feels perfectly suited to long journeys, where its comfortable ride and quiet in-car experience combine to create a car which devours big-distance trips. The engines it is powered by are solid, too, bringing both performance and reasonably good efficiency. An added bonus is that the Velar’s residuals haven’t been as strong as other Land Rover products – so they can offer great value in the used market.