2012 BMW X5 M Base

The ride is firm, especially over broken pavement, but that stiffness pays off with flat cornering and sharp steering response. You get a roomy cabin with seating for five, a useful cargo area, and a power tailgate, so it's genuinely practical for a performance SUV. The X5 M is the single performance variant of the X5 lineup, trading some ride comfort for a track-capable chassis and a monster engine. Its 4.4L I8 makes 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive that put the power down with authority. Fuel economy runs 14 mpg combined, which is the price you pay for that kind of thrust in a heavy SUV.