Highs A Lambo that can tow and carry two-plus people, incredible performance is standard, new Performante model is tangibly racier.
Lows By far the heaviest Lamborghini, cabin unworthy of a quarter-million-dollar machine, did we mention it costs a quarter million dollars?
Verdict When it comes to exotic SUVs, the Urus nails the formula with its appearance, performance, and pedigree.
Overview
The 2023 Lamborghini Urus isn’t just an exotic SUV wearing a supercar badge, it’s a supercar with an SUV shell. Not only is that evident by its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that makes 657 horsepower, but also by its gob-smacking performance on famous racetracks—case in point, the new Performante model that broke the Pikes Peak SUV record. Lighter and racier, it’s that newly introduced variant that reinforces Lamborghini’s commitment to ensuring the Urus lives up to the brand’s exotic pedigree. On the rare occasions it’s now showing off its elaborate bodywork or outrunning almost everything else on the road, this high-riding Lambo is the only thing in the showroom that can pull a trailer and haul more than two—likely very rich—people. While its quarter-million-dollar price puts it out of reach for most of us mere mortals, and its interior isn’t as special as it should be for such a huge sum, there’s currently no other SUV like the 2023 Urus.
What's New for 2023?
The Urus sees an uptick in performance for the 2023 model year with the introduction of the new S and Performante variants; horsepower rises by 16 to 657 ponies. The Performante rides on a different suspension than the base S, one that has steel springs instead of air springs and sits 0.8 inches lower than normal. The Performante is also available with special shoes in the form of 23-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires, size 285/40R-22 front and 325/235R-22 rear. While it still has a hefty curb weight of 5200 pounds, Lamborghini says the Performante is pounds lighter than the Urus S thanks to the addition of carbon-fiber body panels and the removal of sound-deadening materials, among other weight-loss measures. The 2023 model year also brings redesigned front and rear ends, along with a new fixed spoiler above the liftgate for the Performante, which also features specific seats and unique interior trim.
Sure, we could save about $35k by opting for the standard-issue Urus S, but that means we’d also miss out on its maximum performance. That’s why we want the new-for-2023 Performante, which features a lower suspension with firmer steel springs, myriad weight-reduction measures, and more. We’d opt for the larger 23-inch wheels, too, with the racetrack-ready Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber. Again, the mission is max performance.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All 2023 Urus models are powered by a 657-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. The engine burbles deeply when idling, and absolutely howls under full throttle. Permanent all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmiss
