Lamborghini Urus SE: The Ultimate Super-SUV Tested in 2026
If the Lamborghini Urus SE were a modern fairy tale, it would begin with a dramatic prologue: long ago, the world of ultra-luxury SUVs was dominated by brash, unapologetic giants. Imagine a landscape where raw power reigned supreme, where horsepower was the only metric of true worth, and where the roar of a V8 engine was the only symphony worth hearing. In this kingdom, the original Lamborghini Urus was the undisputed apex predator. Its exterior, sharp as a predatory jawline, announced its arrival with a visceral snarl from its quad tailpipes. It was a machine that didn’t just turn heads; it stopped time. The Urus was everywhere, mesmerizing every soul it encountered with its unapologetic fusion of supercar aesthetics and SUV practicality.
But then, in a plot twist that shocked the automotive establishment, Lamborghini dared to do something even crazier than creating a sports utility vehicle in the first place. They injected a dose of eco-consciousness into their behemoth. The end of the traditional power story? Not quite.
Lamborghini wisely retired the non-hybrid variants—the lauded S and the track-focused Performante—but the hybrid version, christened the Urus SE, still retains the heart of the beast: a muscular 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The difference now is that this roaring heart beats in sync with an electric motor, and together, they unleash a combined fury of nearly 800 horsepower. So, far from going soft or becoming a cuddly eco-warrior, the SE hybrid is, in fact, the most powerful Urus ever conceived.
This story, however, is far from over. While the Urus SE makes concessions to environmental responsibility, it doesn’t compromise on its core identity as a high-performance icon.
Performance and Drive: When Power Meets Efficiency
At the heart of the Urus SE lies a complex duality. It’s a machine that claims to offer up to 37 miles of pure electric range, accompanied by a remarkably efficient CO2 output of just 140g/km. While this won’t exactly thrill the purists at the Toyota Prius club, it does make the most powerful Urus in history also the most efficient.
The external design has undergone subtle refinement to complement the new powertrain. A redesigned front end and bonnet, along with a lightly reworked rear, create a cleaner, more cohesive aesthetic. Inside, the cabin boasts a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen, keeping the technology up-to-date with current market standards.
But does this blend of power and green tech satisfy the craving for ultimate performance? If you seek the most extreme sports SUV on the market, the Urus SE poses a critical question: has the shift to hybrid dulled its legendary hedonism? Would you be better off with one of its formidable rivals, such as the Audi RS Q8, Bentley Bentayga, or Porsche Cayenne? However, as these competitors share the same basic underpinnings with the Urus, perhaps something entirely different, like the Aston Martin DBX or the Range Rover Sport SV, might be a better fit.
What’s New for 2026
The Lamborghini Urus family has undergone significant evolution in recent years. Here is a timeline of the key updates that have shaped the model:
May 2024: The Urus SE plug-in hybrid was officially launched, combining a 4.0-liter V8 engine with an electric motor and a 22kWh battery, delivering a total output of 789 horsepower.
April 2024: The Urus SE plug-in hybrid made its world debut at the Beijing Motor Show, showcasing the brand’s commitment to electrification.
September 2022: The standard model was updated to the Urus S, featuring a boost to 657 horsepower.
August 2022: The Urus Performante, known for its lightweight construction and track-focused aerodynamics, received a 657 horsepower rating, representing a significant leap in performance.
April 2018: The first UK deliveries began, establishing the Urus as a serious player in the sports utility vehicle market.
December 2017: The production model was unveiled and opened for orders. It featured a potent 641 horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 189 mph.
April 2012: The concept version of the Urus was showcased at the Beijing Motor Show, signaling Lamborghini’s long-term vision for an SUV.
Overview
If the Lamborghini Urus were judged solely on its driving dynamics, it would undoubtedly earn a five-star rating. It handles with astonishing precision, accelerates with breathtaking speed, and arguably stands as the most fun and capable sports SUV available. It is the ultimate choice for those who prioritize exhilaration and theater over a pillowy ride and quiet cruising. However, in its electric mode, the car is eerily silent.
The Urus falls to a four-star rating because while the Aston Martin DBX is almost as adept at driving, it delivers superior luxury. The interior feels more befitting the price tag, and the craftsmanship is noticeably more refined. Additionally, the Porsche Cayenne offers 90% of the Urus’s performance capabilities for considerably less money. If you were to dismiss those two and opt for a Urus instead, we would completely understand why.
Strengths
Searingly Quick: The acceleration is relentless, pushing you back into your seat with every press of the throttle.
Great V8 Noise or Silent Electric Running: Whether you prefer the thundering bellow of the V8 or the serene silence of electric power, the Urus delivers both in spades.
Delightfully Judged Ride and Handling Balance: The suspension is incredibly well-tuned, offering a compelling balance between comfort and sportiness.
Weaknesses
Some Regenerative Braking Corruption: The hybrid system’s regenerative braking can sometimes feel inconsistent, requiring careful modulation of the brake pedal.
Slightly Delayed Response in Hybrid Mode: When switching between electric and petrol power, there can be a slight delay in power delivery.
Limited Electric Range: The 37-mile electric range may not be sufficient for users seeking maximum eco-efficiency.
How Fast Is It and Which Engine Is Best?
Since Lamborghini discontinued the Urus S and Performante, the SE has become the sole powertrain option. The term ‘powertrain’ is used advisedly, as the SE incorporates more than just a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. It is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), meaning it includes an electric motor and a 22kWh (usable capacity) battery. The V8 engine actually produces slightly less power than it did in the Performante (612bhp vs 666bhp), but when combined with the electric motor, the total output reaches an astonishing 789 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque. This is a substantial amount of power.
This places the SE as the most powerful Urus ever, but, surprisingly, not the quickest. The limiting factor is weight, as the SE, with the addition of the hybrid battery and electric motor, is also the heaviest Urus produced. Consequently, the extra power and weight almost cancel each other out—the 0-62 mph sprint takes 3.4 seconds in the SE, while the lighter but less powerful Performante achieved the same feat in 3.3 seconds.
If this seems slightly underwhelming, perhaps some perspective is needed. On paper, the Urus SE is still fractionally quicker than similar high-end sports SUVs, including the fastest Porsche Cayenne (the Turbo E-Hybrid GT Package), the Aston Martin DBX S, the Audi RS Q8, and the Bentley Bentayga Speed.
On the road, the performance is simply breakneck. In the most aggressive drive modes, which prioritize performance over efficiency, the electric motor provides an instant surge when you press the accelerator; this is then joined by the V8’s deep, chesty, unrelenting surge—capable of reaching 194 mph should you have a runway long enough. There is also an overtake button on the steering wheel that delivers a quick burst of enhanced performance, and a launch control function to ensure a perfect drag-race start.
The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts gears rapidly in the sportier drive modes—much faster than the Aston Martin DBX’s auto gearbox—but it does take slightly longer to downshift when the car is in hybrid mode, running solely on electric power.
In full electric mode, the Urus SE can reach speeds of up to 84 mph and is certainly powerful enough for leisurely urban drives. The official electric range is 37 miles, which isn’t spectacular for a plug-in hybrid but, again, the hybrid system is designed more for performance than ultimate efficiency. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, for instance, manages nearly 45 miles (WLTP) using the same 22kWh battery.
You can charge the battery using the engine, which is counterintuitive since it simply burns more petrol. It is more sensible to charge it from a home wall box, and a full charge takes approximately 3.5 hours.
How fast is it and which engine is best?
The driving experience is defined by the powertrain.
