From desert-ready icons and luxury cruisers to electric newcomers and performance machines, these are the SUVs made for exploring the UAE beyond the city.
The UAE is a country made for the SUV. One weekend can mean a highway drive to Abu Dhabi, a mountain escape in Ras Al Khaimah, a morning in the dunes around Al Qudra or a long drive towards the Liwa desert. The latest generation of SUVs is increasingly suited to that kind of lifestyle, combining everyday comfort with the ability to handle rougher roads, longer distances and more adventurous routes. Whether the priority is serious desert driving, a family road trip, or simply having the freedom to leave the tarmac behind, these premium SUVs are perfect for road tripping in the UAE.
Audi Q9 (2027)
Audi’s largest SUV is particularly well suited to the UAE’s road-trip culture. With three rows and plenty of space, it makes sense for families or groups heading out for a weekend away, while its comfortable cabin and refined ride make long highway journeys easy. It is less about tackling the deepest dunes and more about having a luxurious base for exploring the country, from mountain drives to desert camps and long-distance trips between the emirates.
Contact: www.audi-dubai.com
BMW X5 (2027)
The X5 is a strong all-rounder for UAE adventures, particularly for drivers who want something that remains enjoyable on the road while being capable enough for trips beyond the city. The roads around Hatta and Jebel Jais are a natural fit, with winding mountain routes providing a change of pace from Dubai’s highways. The combination of comfort, performance and available electrified powertrains also makes it an appealing option amongst SUVs in the UAE for spontaneous weekend escapes.
Contact: www.bmw-dubai.com
Cadillac Escalade IQ (2026)
The Escalade IQ is built for a different kind of UAE adventure: the big family road trip. Its huge interior gives passengers plenty of space for long journeys, while the quiet electric powertrain makes covering serious distances feel effortless. It is particularly suited to travelling between the emirates, heading to a resort for the weekend or loading up the family and escaping the city for a few days.
Contact: www.cadillacarabia.com/ae-en
Lamborghini Urus SE (2026)
For those who see the drive itself as part of the adventure, the Urus SE brings a very different character to the SUV formula. The UAE’s open highways and mountain roads give it plenty of room to stretch its legs, particularly on the route towards Fujairah. It is not the obvious choice for serious desert exploration, but for an exhilarating road trip where winding roads, dramatic scenery and performance are the main attraction, few SUVs make as much sense.
Contact: www.lamborghini-dubai.com
Land Rover Range Rover Electric (2027)
The Range Rover Electric could be one of the more interesting choices for UAE adventurers because it combines the quietness of an EV with the ability to venture far beyond the city. Its off-road capability means owners are not necessarily restricted to paved roads, while the Range Rover’s comfortable character makes it equally suited to getting there in the first place. From desert trails to remote campsites, it is designed for the kind of trips where the destination is deliberately off the beaten track.
Contact: www.landrover-uae.com
Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography (2027)
For a luxury SUV that can genuinely handle the UAE’s varied terrain, the Range Rover remains difficult to overlook. It can comfortably swallow long highway journeys before transitioning onto gravel tracks, desert approaches or rougher roads leading to remote destinations. That versatility is perhaps its biggest advantage: you can leave Dubai in complete luxury and still have the confidence to take a less-travelled route once the pavement ends.
Contact: www.landrover-uae.com
Lexus LX 700h (2026)
The LX 700h is perhaps the most naturally suited to the UAE’s idea of an adventure SUV. Its rugged foundations and off-road systems make it at home in the dunes, while the comfortable interior means it can also handle the long drive needed to reach them. For serious desert trips, camping weekends and journeys deep into areas such as Liwa and the Empty Quarter, the LX offers the combination of toughness and comfort that UAE conditions demand.
Contact: www.lexus.ae
Mercedes AMG G63 (2026)
The G63 has long been part of the UAE’s SUV landscape, but beneath the luxury and unmistakable styling is a vehicle with genuine off-road ability. Its hardware gives it the tools to tackle demanding terrain, making it a natural choice for drivers who want their weekend adventures to involve actual sand rather than simply a desert-viewing resort. It works just as well cruising through the city afterwards, giving it that rare ability to go from urban icon to desert machine in the same day.
Contact: www.mercedes-benz-mena.com
Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 (2026)
The Maybach GLS 600 is less about conquering dunes and more about making the journey to an adventure as enjoyable as possible. Its enormous focus on passenger comfort makes it ideal for long UAE road trips, whether that means heading north towards Ras Al Khaimah, travelling across the country or spending a few days at a remote luxury resort. For those who want adventure without giving up first-class comfort, it makes a compelling case.
Contact: www.mercedes-benz-mena.com
Porsche Cayenne Electric (2026)
The Cayenne Electric is aimed at a more road-focused kind of adventure, but that does not make it any less interesting in the UAE for choices amongst SUVs. The country’s mountain roads offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy its performance, with Jebel Jais being an obvious destination for a weekend drive. Its ability to venture onto lighter off-road terrain also adds some flexibility, making it suitable for drivers who want one SUV for everyday life, fast road trips and the occasional escape into the desert.
Contact: www.porsche.com