Lamborghini says it’s kept the “fast and added the slow” giving its first SUV real off-road cred. The Italian performance car builder would tell you that its 2023 Urus is motivated by a V8 turbocharged engine that is shifted through an eight-speed automatic gearbox with a torque converter and is engineered with a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a limited slip center differential and an active torque-vectoring rear differential. These are some of the top specs from this heralded automaker that has rowed into new waters with its Urus model’s all-wheel-drive system that can carry you from the race track to sand, gravel, rocks, ice and snow—and even competently across the river on your ranch with air suspension, a front skid plate and ground clearance that adjusts depending on the drive setting. This is not the typical set-up for high-performance autos.

Unleashing the Urus S’s Speed and Agility

What we’ll tell you is this: it’s an appealing amalgam of traits – quietly sumptuous and decidedly not showy-that is, until you row it through its gears with alacrity. Then, this four-seat SUV born from “Puro Lamborghini” DNA becomes a speed demon with its twin pipes turning heads and stimulating the senses as it gooses its torque to motor from zero to 62 in 3.6 seconds with a roar– and even blips of the throttle that not only sound tantalizing but also help to keep its gearing steady, mannered and smooth in the corners. Its top speed? 190 mph! This is when you’ll appreciate the sport ute’s active roll stabilization and electronic stability control.

Exterior & Interior Features of the 2023 Lamborghini Urus S

Urus’s aluminum and steel body has been painted in a classy ROSS0 MARS exterior and is punctuated by red calipers on its carbon ceramic brakes that are comprised of a power vacuum system with ABS that slow the thrill– when necessary. Tasteful Taigete 23-inch wheels accent the low-slung, coupe-styled shape that sports a glass panoramic roof atop, privacy glass and heated outside mirrors. The cockpit wears a tasteful NERO ADE interior scheme with appealing trim elements and lux-level finishes, along with ambient lighting, high-tech equipment and a broad range of options that allow personalization for comfort, navigation, entertainment and safety. 

The Six Dynamic Driving Modes and Personalization Options of the 2023 Lamborghini Urus S

Lamborghini brings personalized motoring with six different driving modes: Strada for every day driving and higher speeds; Corsa for track performance; Sport for twisty roads, climbs and descents; Sabbia for dunes and the desert; Terra for off-road explorations; and Neve for snow and ice—plus EGO, for drivers to choose their own settings.

Priced as tested: $277,324