Comparing All The Volkswagen Group’s Halo SUVs

SUVs have been the fastest-growing segment in the automotive market for the past decade. From urban crossovers and off-roading beasts to luxury-oriented vehicles, there’s now an SUV out there for every type of car buyer. As one of the biggest multinational conglomerates in the automotive world, having acquired a number of brands over its history including Audi, Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini, the Volkswagen Group can count quite a few SUVs across its lineup.

As one of the benefits of a shared conglomerate, these brands can share platforms and still create SUVs that are unique. The Group’s current flagship SUVs are all built on the MLB platform, which is short for Modularer Längsbaukasten, or “Modular Longitudinal Matrix” when translated. While they have many similarities, these SUVs also stand out from each other – which is the start of the answer to why VW Group would allow the automakers to create similar SUVs on the same platform. To get an answer to that, let’s compare the halo SUVs under the VW Group banner built on the MLB platform, and identify what makes each one unique.

2025 Audi RS Q8

The Audi Q8 coupe-style SUV is sold in the US alongside its two performance variants, the SQ8 and RS Q8 – all riding on the same platform. The crowning suv in this lineup is the fire-breathing RS Q8, which is fitted with the brand’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 592 hp. It was already powerful in its 2024 iteration, but there’s even more in store for 2025. The Audi RS Q8 gets a facelift for the new model year, and that includes a whole new trim. The Performance trim of the RS Q8 gets a significant power upgrade, too, making 631 hp and 627 hp – that allows the SUV to hit 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds. It’s no wonder this specific model has already shattered the Nurburgring record for fastest production SUV, just a couple of weeks after its launch.

The interior of the RS Q8 is a modern and tech-forward place: a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen controlling the infotainment system and an 8.6-inch screen dedicated to the climate control system make up the brand’s Virtual Cockpit. The infotainment system also has the ability to download third-party apps, including Spotify and Amazon Music. It gets a few updates for the new model year, too, and the top trim will now come with Ocean Blue seatbelts and bespoke accents, including matte Carbon Twill, aluminum Race Anthracite, and Gray Oak inlays. The RS Q8 is an impressive way to kick start this lineup, because it’s an almost unbelievable feat for a mainstream family SUV to be this potent.

2025 Lamborghini Urus SE

The Urus lineup has changed quite a bit in the last while with the base model being replaced by the S in 2024, and the latest version is even more potent than ever before. For 2025, the Lambo Urus becomes the SE, using a plug-in hybrid powertrain to up outputs from 2024’s 657 hp to 789 hp. The 0-62 mph spring comes up in 3.4 seconds, and top speed only arrives at just under 194 mph.

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The Urus’ design takes some of Lamborghini’s iconic styling cues and adapts them for the new model year, since many complained it doesn’t stand out enough from those it shares a platform with. In its latest iteration, you’d have to be blind to mistake it for something else – the hood has been redesigned, there are more distinct creasts, and the grille is larger. It gets Matric LED headlights with a sharper c-shape as opposed to the Y-shaped DLRs we’re accustomed to. At the rear, the bespoke diffuser increases downforce by 35% in comparison to the older Urus S.

The interior is extremely high-tech, with plenty of high-quality materials used throughout and specialty leather as standard. It comes with plenty of gadgets including dual screens to control infotainment and comfort functions. Despite sharing a platform with the Audi RS Q8, the Urus has less cargo room and costs a far sight more – but you’re also getting the most performance-focused SUV in this comparison for that money.

2024 Bentley Bentayga

Even the ultra-luxury brands got in on the SUV action with Rolls-Royce offering the Cullinan and Aston Martin producing the DBX. Bentley brings the Bentayga lineup to the fray, riding on the MLB platform, and it’s available as both a regular gas-engined model with 542 hp and 568 lb-ft from the 4.0-liter turbo V8 under the hood, or as a hybrid packing 456 hp and 516 lb-ft from a turbo V6 and electric motor combo. Where the other two SUVs we’ve mentioned thus far focus more on performance, the Bentayga’s forte is comfort and class, with its powertrain as a supporting feature to the main act.

The interior blends classic style with modern tech, with liberal use of high-quality materials such as metal and leather. Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats are standard on most trims, as are leather upholstery and a panoramic glass sunroof. A 10.9-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment system, which is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 12-speaker audio system. There is also an optional rear-seat entertainment system to keep all passengers entertained; this comes with dual 10.2-inch screens and a $2,805 price tag. Two choices of upgraded sound systems are also available. Bentley is all about personalization, and every aspect of the Bentayga is individually customizable, from paint color options to trim materials and even steering wheel upholstery choices – this halo SUV stands out from the others based purely on the pedigree and status it represents.

2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid

Long hallowed as the most fun-to-drive SUV on the market, the Porsche Cayenne range emulates the Audi Q8’s lineup, with base models having a turbocharged V6 engine and higher-tier trims coming with the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. But, for 2024, the most potent Cayenne is the Turbo E-Hybrid, equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that makes up to 729 hp and will allow for a 3.5-second sprint to 60 mph. Top models will cost you upward of $157,000, and while this is cheaper than the Urus SE for similar ouputs, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid isn’t designed to be a the axe or the hammer that the Lambo is.

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Instead, Porsche’s focus with the Caynne is to make it a scalpel – a precise driving tool that encourages driver engagement. While it’s less about brutal acceleration – the Porker is about two-tenths off the Urus SE’s benchmark sprint time – the Cayenne is the SUV you choose if you enjoy pulling through corners, hurtling out of the bends, and carving canyons. And you can even have it with a coupe-styled roof if you don’t want the blocky SUV shape. The Cayenne is less brash than the Urus, with slightly more understated looks that belie the German’s ability to leave others in its wake.

The interior is suitably luxurious, too, since this is a Porsche after all. The heated, eight-way power-adjustable seats come with partial leather upholstery as standard on all trim levels, and there is a wide range of color options to choose from. You get all the necessary tech, too, and space for three to four passengers.

Bonus: Volkswagen Touareg

This is a bonus inclusion on this list, because while the Touareg is not sold in the USA, it’s built on the same platform and sold across the globe as VW’s halo SUV. It’s worth noting here in its most powerful, latest iteration – the Touareg R eHybrid, sold across the pond. It’s fitted with a 3.0-liter V6 plug-in system that makes ‘just’ 456 hp, but that’s still enough to hustle to 60 mph in around five seconds. It’s the least powerful model we’ve mentioned here, and it’s not nearly the quickest – it lags behind the Bentayga by more than half a second – but it does have a few things going for it that the other models don’t.

Whereas the Audi RS Q8 is the most affordable performance model on this list, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid is the most rewarding to drive, and the Urus SE is all about brute power, the Touareg is comfortable, high-end hybrid power for the masses. Unlike the Bentayga, whose focus is on pure blissful cabin comfort and status, the Touareg doubles as a family SUV while offering some good output (and the benefit of the plug-in hybrid powertrain). It’s also a car that most will enjoy driving – in fact, we’ve gone so far as to suggest that the Touareg is a budget alternative to the esteemed Cayenne, especially in its highest trim.

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