When you think of Lamborghini, the mind conjures images of wild supercars with scissor doors, extreme designs, and ear-splitting exhaust notes. Not something like the Lamborghini Urus S.
So, when Lamborghini decided to venture into the world of SUVs, the idea sounded… strange. But then the Lamborghini Urus was born, a 2.2-tonne, five-door behemoth that promised to carry the raging bull’s DNA into uncharted territory.
And if you’re wondering whether this SUV lives up to Lamborghini’s supercar reputation, the answer is surprising.
Can You Really Make a Supercar SUV?
Lamborghini’s first crack at an SUV might seem like a mashup of contradictions. On one hand, it shares its platform with the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, and Porsche Cayenne. On the other, it’s been injected with Lamborghini’s signature madness.
Yes, it’s got a twin-turbo V8 under the hood, borrowed from some of the VW Group’s finest (think Bentley Flying Spur, Audi RS6, and Porsche Panamera), but the Urus S somehow feels… different. More savage.
Sure, some purists lament that the iconic V10 or V12 isn’t living under the bonnet, but 650bhp and 850Nm of torque isn’t exactly light fare.
From the second you fire up the V8, the Urus announces its presence with a roar that’ll wake the neighbours. This is no stealthy family hauler; it’s loud, proud, and unapologetic. And despite weighing more than an elephant, it launches from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.6 seconds.
The Urus S doesn’t know the meaning of “taking it easy.” Even in Strada mode (its softest setting), the throttle response is as sharp as anything you’d expect in a VW Group performance machine. Tap the pedal, and it’s eager to go.
Switch to Corsa mode, and the aggression ramps up; harder shifts, sharper throttle response, and a general sense that you’re piloting something angry.
Angry but… soft?
But, the chassis isn’t as harsh as you might think. Air suspension, four-wheel steering, and torque vectoring work together in a way that smoothens out the ride, even with those massive 22-inch wheels.
It leans just enough in corners to keep things playful, but with incredible body control for something this size. You can push it hard, and while the front end may run away a bit, the rear is always ready to fall in line.
What really makes the Urus S impressive is the behind-the-scenes wizardry that defies physics. The four-wheel steering shrinks the wheelbase at low speeds for tighter turns and increases stability when you’re tearing down the highway.
And then there’s the active roll control system, probably the most impressive bit of kit. It firms up the suspension in corners to keep you flat and steady, but also knows when to decouple for a more flexible ride when you’re off-road.
The Urus uses a centre Torsen differential and an active rear differential to send power where it’s needed most, squatting down and rocketing out of corners like it’s half its size. Couple that with the standard carbon ceramic brakes, and you’ve got a recipe for a physics-bending SUV that somehow manages to stop all that weight with ease.
Any drawbacks?
If there’s a flaw, it’s probably the gearbox. In full-on Corsa mode, upshifts are aggressive, and borderline rude. It can also be a bit sluggish when you’re looking for a quick downshift.
In Strada mode, it settles down for smoother, more relaxed cruising. Let’s face it, most Urus owners won’t spend their weekends thrashing around a racetrack, so you’ll likely appreciate the everyday usability this gearbox offers.
The sound, while deep and menacing, doesn’t quite reach the high-pitched wail of Lamborghini’s V10s or V12s. It’s more of a thunderous rumble, with pops and cracks on downshifts, but it lacks that operatic drama you might associate with the brand.
Still, it’s far from quiet, and when you mash the throttle, the roar will send shivers down your spine.
This looks extreme
Indeed. When you think about Lamborghini, practicality isn’t exactly the first word that springs to mind. But step inside the Urus, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised, especially if you’re expecting a cramped supercar interior.
Despite the low roofline and wide, pumped-up rear wheel arches, the space inside is shockingly accommodating. There’s enough room for a tall adult to sit comfortably, with head and elbow room to spare.
A 616-litre boot, which stretches to an impressive 1,596 litres when you fold the rear seats down, introduces never-before-seen weekend getaway potential.
Not bad for something that still carries Lamborghini’s ferocious DNA.
And you’re cocooned
Up front, the driving position is just what you’d expect from a Lamborghini. You sit low, nestled deep inside the car, as if you’re strapped into the belly of a beast rather than perched atop its shoulders. The high window line might compromise the view slightly, but it adds to that sense of cocooned sportiness.
Thankfully, the seats are a lot more forgiving than the spine-crunchers you’d find in the Huracán or Aventador. Here, they strike the right balance between comfort and support.
Lamborghini hasn’t compromised on the tech, nor on its signature style. It’s a high-tech wonderland wrapped in what can only be described as Audi-level quality.
The Lamborghini flair is evident everywhere, from the hexagonal motifs to the liberal use of Alcantara. The controls are chunky, industrial, and designed to make you feel like you’re about to launch a rocket.
The flip-cover starter button is a dramatic touch, as is the chunky Anima lever for switching between driving modes. It’s a centre console that’s unapologetically bold, and I love it.
Screens and more screens
Lamborghini has borrowed Audi’s three-screen architecture straight from the A8. This brings the Urus into an electronic generation ahead of its luxury SUV siblings like the Bentayga and Q7.
In front of you is a familiar digital instrument cluster, providing all the information you need with clarity and flair. Meanwhile, the upper screen in the centre console handles navigation, infotainment, phone settings, while the lower screen takes care of the climate control stuff.
You know what you’re in for when you buy this
The Lamborghini Urus is a bit of an enigma. It defies the traditional notions of what an SUV should be, and even challenges the idea of what a Lamborghini should be. It’s loud, fast, aggressive, and packed with cutting-edge technology that allows it to bend the laws of physics in ways an SUV probably shouldn’t. Yet, it works.
Since its debut, over 20,000 Uruses have already been sold. That’s enough to tell you there is huge demand for cars like these.
It’s easy to criticise the Urus for being brash, but isn’t that what Lamborghini has always been about? This SUV isn’t for everyone, but for those who crave the marriage of supercar performance and everyday usability, the Urus is the ultimate statement.
And in doing so, it allows Lamborghini to continue building the wild, audacious machines that car enthusiasts dream of.
Technical Specifications
Lamborghini Urus S
Engine: 3,996cc Twin-Turbocharged V8
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 650bhp
Torque: 850Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 3.6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 305km/h
Fuel Economy: 7.8km/litre (claimed)
Price: POA (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Eurosports Auto
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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