Lamborghini Urus SE: The Ultimate Super-SUV Evolution in 2026
In the hyper-competitive world of high-end performance vehicles, the Lamborghini Urus has always stood apart. From its genesis, it represented a paradigm shift—a V12 engine in a five-seat SUV body, designed to tear up tracks as easily as it shuttled clients to boardroom meetings. It was audacious, intoxicating, and frankly, a little bit mad. But in 2026, the automotive landscape has continued to evolve, demanding not just raw power, but also accountability. Enter the Lamborghini Urus SE.
This isn’t just another iteration of the Urus; it’s a fundamental reimagining of what a super-SUV can be. While the core philosophy remains unchanged—uncompromising performance fused with everyday usability—the SE marks Lamborghini’s decisive leap into the electric era. The question on every enthusiast’s lips isn’t whether the Urus is fast anymore, but whether the introduction of a hybrid powertrain dilutes the signature Lamborghini hedonism. Does it lose its edge when it dons the green cape?
To answer this, we must look at the rivals. The Audi RS Q8 offers a compelling blend of sportiness and refinement, the Bentley Bentayga prioritizes luxury and ride quality, and the Porsche Cayenne provides a near-perfect balance of performance and practicality. However, these formidable competitors all share the same underpinnings as the Urus. What about options that truly step outside the box? The Aston Martin DBX brings British sporting heritage and elegance, while the Range Rover Sport SV focuses on off-road capability and sheer presence. How does the new Urus SE stack up against these titans?
In this comprehensive review, we will delve deep into the Urus SE, analyzing every facet—from its performance metrics and handling dynamics to its interior execution and long-term running costs. By understanding these nuances, you can make an informed decision about whether this plug-in hybrid powerhouse is the right vehicle to add to your automotive collection.
What’s New in 2026? A Timeline of Evolution
The Urus has undergone a remarkable transformation since its debut. Understanding these changes provides crucial context for the latest Urus SE model.
May 2024: The Urus SE plug-in hybrid arrives on the market. This groundbreaking model seamlessly integrates a 4.0-liter V8 engine with an electric motor and a 22kWh battery, delivering a staggering 789bhp.
April 2024: The Urus SE plug-in hybrid is officially unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show, signaling Lamborghini’s strategic shift towards electrified performance.
September 2022: The standard model is updated to the Urus S, featuring a revised 657bhp engine.
August 2022: The Urus Performante is introduced, boasting a 657bhp engine, a 47kg weight reduction, recalibrated driving modes, and revised aerodynamics.
April 2018: The first UK deliveries of the production Urus take place. The initial lineup featured carbon ceramic brakes, adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and six driving modes.
December 2017: The production Urus makes its debut and order books open. The launch model featured a 641bhp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, capable of accelerating from 0 to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 189mph.
April 2012: The Urus concept is showcased at the Beijing Motor Show, previewing the radical direction Lamborghini was headed.
Overview: A New Era of Super-SUV Dynamics
If raw performance and driving engagement were the sole metrics, the Lamborghini Urus SE would undoubtedly earn a perfect five-star rating. It handles with astonishing precision, boasts blistering speed, and delivers an exhilarating experience unmatched by most sports SUVs. It is unequivocally the vehicle for drivers who prioritize thrill and theatricality over ride comfort and quiet cruising—though in electric mode, it is eerily silent.
The Urus earns four stars in our overall assessment because while the Aston Martin DBX is nearly as thrilling to drive, it executes the luxury aspect with a degree of refinement that feels more befitting of its price tag. The Porsche Cayenne offers a remarkable 90% of the Urus’s talents for considerably less expenditure. However, if you choose the Urus over these two, we completely understand why.
Strengths
Blistering Straight-Line Speed: The combination of V8 power and electric torque delivers performance that defies the laws of physics.
Dynamic Agility: Against all odds, the Urus feels remarkably agile and fun to drive, proving that size doesn’t have to compromise handling.
Thundering V8 Soundtrack: Even with hybrid technology, the Urus retains the guttural growl that defines a Lamborghini.
Reasonable Running Costs: The plug-in hybrid system allows for potentially lower running costs if utilized correctly.
Weaknesses
Battery Range Limitations: The electric range of 37 miles is less impressive than competitors like the Porsche Cayenne.
Interior Fit and Finish: Despite the high price tag, some interior elements do not feel as premium as its rivals.
Steep Price: This is a luxury vehicle with a price tag that places it firmly in the ultra-high-net-worth bracket.
Performance & Drive: What Does the SE Experience Feel Like?
How Fast Is It and Which Engine is Best?
With the phasing out of the Urus S and Performante models, the Urus SE is the only powertrain currently available. This is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that combines a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor and a 22kWh battery.
The V8 engine produces 612bhp, slightly less than the former Performante’s 666bhp. However, when combined with the electric motor, the total output reaches a staggering 789bhp and 701 lb-ft of torque.
This makes the Lamborghini Urus SE the most powerful Urus ever made, but paradoxically, not the quickest. This anomaly is due to weight: the SE, burdened with the hybrid battery and electric motor, is also the heaviest Urus ever. Consequently, the added power and weight more or less cancel each other out. The SE achieves 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds, while the less powerful but lighter Performante completed the same sprint in 3.3 seconds.
If this slight difference is disappointing, perspective is key. The Urus SE remains faster than most high-end sports SUVs, including the quickest Porsche Cayenne (Turbo E-Hybrid GT Package), the Aston Martin DBX S, Audi RS Q8, and Bentley Bentayga Speed.
On the road, the acceleration is breakneck fast. In the raciest drive modes, which prioritize performance over efficiency, the electric motor provides an instant surge when you touch the accelerator. The V8 then follows with a relentless, barrel-chested onslaught—sustained right up to 194mph if the road allows. A dedicated overtake button on the steering wheel delivers a quick boost of heightened performance, and launch control provides a perfect drag-race getaway.
The eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts with lightning speed in the sportiest modes—far faster than the Aston Martin DBX’s automatic transmission. However, it takes slightly longer to kick down when the car is in hybrid mode, operating solely on the electric motor.
In full electric mode, the Urus SE can reach speeds up to 84mph, making it more than capable of urban commuting. The official electric range is 37 miles, which is modest for a plug-in hybrid but consistent with Lamborghini’s priority of performance over ultimate efficiency. To put this into context, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid achieves nearly 45 miles (WLTP) using the same 22kWh battery.
While it is possible to charge the battery using the engine, this is counterproductive as it only burns more petrol. Charging from a home wall box is the more sensible approach, with a full charge taking approximately 3.5 hours.
Agility and Ride Quality: Defying Physics
Is It Agile and Is the Ride Comfortable?
Agility is the Urus’s unique selling proposition (USP), which is remarkable considering its weight of around 2.5 tonnes. However, this weight is practically undetectable from the driver’s seat. The Urus employs a sophisticated suite of technologies designed to overcome the basic physics of propelling such a massive vehicle through corners rapidly.
First, the Urus utilizes all-wheel drive with a center differential that distributes power between the front and rear wheels. A subsidiary electronically limited-slip rear differential then meters out the grunt between each rear wheel. This setup ensures immense traction upon acceleration but also allows the car to feel rear-wheel drive—and incredibly fun, like a sports car—by sending up to 100% of the power to the rear wheels.
This is most pronounced in Sport mode, the Urus’s playful setting. Sport deliberately encourages the rear wheels to slide (oversteer) as you accelerate out of turns. Corsa mode
