Luxury SUVs for when price is not an object

Earlier this week, we looked at SUVs under a reasonable $30,000 price point. This time we’ll pretend that price is not a barrier for our perfect SUV. Here are our 10 favorite luxury options.

BMW X5

MSRP: $47,500

Here’s the vehicle that first convinced me that an SUV could handle like a car. It has TwinPower Turbo technology and delivers 23 highway miles per gallon.

Audi Q7 Diesel

MSRP: $52,000

The TDI Premium model has heated, 12-way power front seats, iPod integration capabilities, and a power tailgate. This SUV gets 19 city miles per gallon and 28 highway miles per gallon.

Cadillac Escalade ESV

MSRP: $65,770

Take a Chevy Suburban and equip it with every possible option including fancy wheels, paint, and Cadillac badging. You wind up with the ultimate station wagon — or courtesy vehicle for a five-star resort.

Land Rover LR2

MSRP: $37,295

We drove it off-road in Quebec and it won our hearts with its combination of on-road and off-road capability.

Lexus RX 350

MSRP: $39,660

This has been a winner since it was first introduced. It does everything flawlessly and reliably. The base car is great, so is the hybrid version. For those looking for a flaw, it doesn’t have a third-row seat.

Mercedes M-Class

MSRP: $47,270

The M-Class is now available with rear-wheel drive in addition to all-wheel drive and 7-speed automatic.

Mercedes G-Class

MSRP: $113,000

The German version of a Hummer. Goes anywhere. Commanding presence that demands you look at it. Strong engine. Luxury cabin. Tall stance detracts from handling ability.

Porsche Cayenne

MSRP: $48,850

Great performance and handling across the board — diesel, V-6, V-8, hybrid. Top trim levels and option groups drive the price high. Lots of available options.

Subaru Crosstrek

MSRP: $21,995

OK. This could have fit in the under-$30,000 category, but this is one I might buy even if I had unlimited funds. It sits higher than other Subarus and mixes in good economy. It’s a home run for Subaru.

Volkswagen Touareg Diesel

MSRP: $47,445

Amazing power, luxury cabin. Should run forever. One case where the hybrid version is strictly for performance and averages 21 combined miles per gallon compared with the nonhybrid diesel at 23 miles per gallon.