Which luxury SUV to rent in Dubai

An SUV is the most practical way to travel in style in Dubai. It carries airport luggage, sits comfortably on long highways and handles hotel ramps and speed bumps without fuss. The four SUVs in RG Speed's posts are very different cars, though, and the right one depends on how many people you are, how much you carry and what kind of drive you want. Here is how they compare.

Lamborghini Urus: the supercar with a boot

The Urus is Lamborghini's SUV, launched in 2018. It uses a twin-turbocharged V8 and all-wheel drive, and it accelerates like a sports car while offering four or five seats depending on the configuration and a usable boot.

Choose it if you want the experience of a Lamborghini but you are more than two people, or you need luggage space. It is the most eye-catching car on this list and the most exciting to drive.

Keep in mind that it is wide and low for an SUV, the deposit and rate are higher than for the others, and it draws attention wherever you park. See the Urus page.

Cadillac Escalade: room for everyone

The Escalade is a full-size American SUV with three rows of seats, seating up to seven or eight people depending on the version. It is long, tall and very comfortable, with a large V8 in most versions.

Choose it if you travel as a family or a group, have a lot of luggage, or want one car instead of two taxis from the airport. It is relaxed on the highway and ideal for day trips such as Hatta or Abu Dhabi.

Keep in mind that it is long, so tight car parks need care. It is a car for comfort rather than corners. See the Escalade page.

Porsche Cayenne: the driver's SUV

The Cayenne has five seats and a reputation for handling more like a sports car than most SUVs. Engines range from V6 to V8 and hybrids, depending on the version.

Choose it if you are a couple or a small family who enjoy driving and want a car that feels precise on mountain roads like Jebel Jais, but still has room for luggage.

Keep in mind that versions differ a lot in power, so ask which one is available. See the Cayenne page.

Range Rover Evoque: the easy city car

The Evoque is the compact Range Rover, with five seats, a raised driving position and the brand's distinctive design.

Choose it if you will mainly drive in the city, want a car that fits standard parking bays, or are staying for a longer period. It is the simplest car on this list to live with every day.

Keep in mind that its boot is smaller than the others' and it is the least powerful. See the Evoque page.

Side by side

• Most seats: Escalade (up to seven or eight), then Urus, Cayenne and Evoque.
• Most luggage: Escalade, then Urus and Cayenne, then Evoque.
• Easiest to park: Evoque, then Cayenne.
• Most exciting to drive: Urus, then Cayenne.
• Best for long highway days: Escalade and Urus.

Practical points for any SUV

• No off-road. Rental SUVs are road cars. Rental terms normally exclude sand and off-road driving, whatever the advertising photos show.
• Fuel. Large engines use more fuel. Fuel prices in the UAE are set monthly, and stations are frequent on all main roads.
• Child seats. If you travel with young children, ask the rental company in advance; child seats are required by law for young children.
• Parking. Valet parking at hotels and malls is common and saves time with large cars.

A quick way to decide

Start with the number of people. Five or more adults, or four with full-size suitcases, points to the Escalade. Two to four people who want the most memorable drive points to the Urus. A couple who enjoy driving and want a lower rate than the Urus will be happy in the Cayenne. If you are staying a week or more and mainly driving between the hotel, the beach and the malls, the Evoque is the sensible choice and the easiest to park.

Ask RG Speed

RG Speed has all four SUVs in its posts. Send your dates, the number of passengers and how much luggage you have on WhatsApp to +971 58 592 2941, and RG Speed will tell you which car is available and the rate. Compare them all on the luxury SUVs page.