The sportiest SUV on the market, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne is the ultimate compromise between performance and utility. And, unlike many performance-oriented luxury SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne is a proficient off-roader. In terms of capability, every Cayenne can tow as much as 7,716 pounds and comfortably accommodate up to five passengers, with room to spare. The 2013 lineup is comprised of seven unique trims, ranging from the new fuel-efficient Cayenne Diesel to the ferocious 550-horsepower Turbo S. It faces stiff competition from the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and, to a lesser extent, the larger Audi Q7, none of which can match the wide-ranging list of positives offered by the Porsche Cayenne.

Our favorite member of the group is the new Cayenne Diesel, which offers much of the stirring performance of its petrol-burning siblings while delivering well over 30 mpg on the highway, according to our road test data.