Need a car large enough to fit your bank accounts? Then our final article of our "SUVs coming to Malaysia in 2023 three-parter" centres around opulence, this time focusing on Luxury SUVs reaching our shores next year. And there's plenty to expect – from silent BEVs to frothy V12s.

Hold on to your Amex Black, we're going in...

BMW X7 facelift

Revealed in April this year, the facelifted X7 continues Munich's recent trends of, uh, trendsetting designs with a grille-heavy face that's now closer to the all-new 7 Series (and i7). The interior's been reworked too, now looking like a smaller version of the iX.

Glass and wood take centrestage in the cabin, the latter incorporated in the expansive infotainment-plus-digital instrument cluster setup (running BMW OS 8), while wood inserts fill the centre console and parts of the dashboard.

Also read: Review: BMW iX xDrive40 Sport - Brilliant to drive, shame about the looks

The 3.0-litre straight-six B58 engine in the X7 xDrive40i gets a bump in output to 380 PS/520 Nm (up from 340 PS/450 Nm, which is the sole option offered here currently), while the range-topping X7 M60i xDrive makes 530 PS/750 Nm. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

All powertrains are now integrated with a 48V mild hybrid system that contributes an extra 12 PS and 200 Nm of torque. ADAS updates see the X7 gaining an extended range of functions offered by the front-collision warning system, its active cruise control with stop & go function get speed limit assist, route monitoring, and traffic light recognition features. 

BMW XM

BMW's love letter to V8s continue in the form of the all-wheel drive XM, the M division's first standalone model since 1978's wedgy M1. It's no longer a lithe supercar but the numbers are good ol' M.

Behind the ever-expanding kidney grilles is a 4.4-litre V8, twin-turbocharged to make 489 PS/650 Nm. As this is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the electric motor supplements it with 197 PS/280 Nm, for an eye-searing total of 653 PS/800 Nm.

Like other PHEVs it'll do some mileage in full-electric mode, 88 km to be exact from its 25.7 kWh battery pack. Maximum AC charging power for that floor-mounted battery is up to 7.4 kW.

Also read: BMW Malaysia announces bookings for RM 1.4 mil moon-sized 2023 BMW XM

Moving inside, there’s a wide curved display comprising of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment display that runs on BMW OS 8. Head-up display and gesture control are fitted as standard.

Safety-wise, the XM features the Driving Assistant suite equipped with Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, Evasion Assistant, Alertness Assistant and Speed Limit Info system as standard. 

Bookings are open, with prices indicated to start from RM 1.4 million.

Ferrari Purosangue

It's a fact that Ferrari's SUV has been a long time coming. Is it also a fact that it's something worth waiting for? Absolutely yes.

Translating to thoroughbred, the Purosangue takes all the figures that's made Fezzas eternally charming – a screaming, naturally-aspirated V12 (6.5 litres, 724 PS, 716 Nm). A 310 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.3 seconds are the other things you'll like, and the other is undoubtedly, the sound.

Grab your headphones for the video below...

It's no hackneyed model made from bits of other Ferraris too, as the Purosangue sits on a bespoke chassis, has an all-wheel drive system, and debuts the brand's latest active suspension.

Also read: This is how you make loyalists of the brand: 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB tested around Sepang!

The cabin mirrors the SF90 – hardly a bad thing – so it's as driver focused as it comes. Active safety kit is included, bundling adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane keeping assist (LKA), besides a whole host of functions.

Hyundai Palisade facelift

A true story of grit, Hyundai has come up from a brand you got just because the cars were cheap, to something fit for a King. That's the Palisade, and next year we should be looking at the facelifted model on our shores.

Complementing the exterior nip-and-tuck is an interior refresh which brings new full-length air-cond vents, new user interface, and a larger infotainment screen (12.5-inches, up from 10.25-inches).

Also read: New 2023 Hyundai Palisade facelift debuts with looks that makes you question a BMW

Safety updates include extended ADAS, bringing Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, among the myriad functionality.

Also read: From just a tiny workshop to overtaking Mercedes, this is Hyundai’s story of grit

Under the hood lies a naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre petrol V6 that does 295 PS and 355 Nm, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, though some specifications get a 200 PS/440 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel too. 

Jaguar i-Pace

Teased multiple times on Jaguar Malaysia's Instagram page, the I-Pace is the first electric vehicle (EV) on this list.

In its most recent form, the I-Pace boasts up to 470 km range on the WLTP test cycle, courtesy of its 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Power comes from an electric motor on each axle, putting out a combined output of 400 PS and 696 Nm of torque.

Also read: What if you could afford a RM600k electric SUV?

Charging comes in the form of a standard 11 kW onboard charger, and full charge from zero percent takes about 8.6 hours. DC fast charging up to 100 kW is also available on the Jaguar I-Pace, promising 100 km of range in just 15 minutes.

All-new Lexus RX

Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K), the all-new Lexus RX brings electrification and lots of newfangled technology within the swooping, crafted bodywork.

Also read: All-new 2023 Lexus RX debuts with first-ever turbo hybrid system

Lexus offers the RX with 4 different powertrains, 3 of which are electrified:

• RX 350: Turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol, T24A-FTS, FWD and AWD
• RX 350h: Naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol-electric full hybrid (HEV), A25A-FXS, E-Four AWD and FWD
• RX 450h+: Naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV), A25A-FXS + THS II plug-in hybrid, E-Four AWD
• RX 500h: Turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol-electric full hybrid (HEV), T24A-FTS, DIRECT4 AWD

Measuring 4,890 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,695 mm tall and sitting on a 2,850 mm long wheelbase, it's a smidge wider (+25 mm) over the last-gen model, with a slightly longer wheelbase too (+60 mm).

Depending on market, the all-new RX can be had with a 9.8- or 14-inch infotainment screen, replete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Mark Levinson audio returns, contingent on market and variant specifications.

Similar to the smaller Lexus NX, the all-new Lexus RX also offers the full Lexus Safety System+ ADAS suite, encompassing these features:

• Pre-Collision System (PCS)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
• Abnormal Driver condition response system
• Proactive Driving Assist (PDA)

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

The EQS is the sedan, and this is its taller-riding counterpart. Built on the same platform and sharing the same wheelbase length, the other obvious difference between this and the regular EQS is that it seats seven.

The plush ride and effortless power – synonymous with our experiencing reviewing the EQS sedan – should still be carried over here. At least on paper things check out; ADS+ continuosly-adjustable suspension is present, and so is rear-axle steering.

Also read: Review: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ in Malaysia - The best luxury EV yet

Powertrain wise, the EQS 450+ has a single electric motor mounted at the rear axle (rear-wheel drive) with 360 PS/568 Nm while all-wheel drive variants – the EQS 450 4Matic and EQS 580 4Matic get dual motors with 360 PS/800 Nm and 544 PS/858 Nm respectively.

All variants have a 107.8 kWh battery pack, identical to the EQS Sedan, that allows a driving range up to 660 km in the rear-wheel drive EQS 450+ and 613 km for both the all-wheel drive variants.

The on-board charger allows up to 22 kW AC charging while maximum DC charging is rated at 200 kW, capable of replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes.

Also read: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV revealed – the S-Class of electric SUVs with up to 7 seats

Inside, it’s virtually identical to the EQS Sedan with the optional MBUX Hyperscreen, a massive curved screen that spans the entire width of the dashboard, and of course the requisite suite of ADAS also makes its way here.

All-new Range Rover

Now in its fifth generation, the all-new Range Rover adds luxury and a whole host of powertrains to its lineup. Seven specifications to be exact:

• P360: 3.0-litre straight six, 360 PS/400 Nm
• P440e: 3.0-litre straight six PHEV, 440 PS/510 Nm (combined)
• P400: 3.0-litre straight six, 400 PS/550 Nm
• P510e: 3.0-litre straight six PHEV, 440 PS/510 Nm (combined)
• D250: 3.0-litre straight six diesel, 249 PS/600 Nm
• D350: 3.0-litre straight six diesel, 350 PS/700 Nm
• P530: 4.4-litre V8, 530 PS/750 Nm

Riding on the MLA Flex architecture, the L460 Range Rover sports air suspension at all four corners, and it's also the first Range Rover to come with rear-wheel steering across the board.

Also read: Sold out for 2021: So what if the all-new Land Rover Defender costs RM 800k?

Inside, all Range Rovers are supporeted by the company's latest version of the Electrical Vehicle Architecture 2.0, Pivi Pro infotainment system, and a 3D surround camera system.

As it is the case with most of the cars in this list, the Range Rover is also infinitely configurable, but one thing sticks out to us – there's an option for a 35-speaker, 1,600-watt Meridian Signature sound system.

Other stuff include the Driver Assist pack, which throws in adaptive cruise control with steering assist, Driver Condition Response, Blind Spot Assist and Rear Traffic Monitor as standard.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the conclusion of our three-parter on the SUVs launching in Malaysia in 2023. In total there's about 31 to expect; with varying price tags and performance figures, there truly is something for everyone.

Also read: SUVs launching in Malaysia in 2023; from Omoda 5, to the new CR-V, and all the way to the Proton X90

Also read: 6 EV SUVs launching in Malaysia in 2023: Toyota bZ4X, Smart #1, VW ID.4, and more