Full-size SUVs can be as long as 226 inches with wheelbases over 137 inches, which is almost 19 feet of vehicle. For monsters like that, a V-8 engine is essential just to break it loose from a parking spot. For mid-size SUVs, which have wheelbases under 116 inches, a V-6 or turbo I-4 is fine, but thankfully, many automakers have dropped powerful V-8s into these moderately-sized rides. Sadly, nobody has dared to put a V-8 in a compact SUV, but fans can hold out hope that Dodge will cram a Hellephant into a Hornet someday.

Something close could have happened with the Land Rover Defender, which offers a 518-horsepower V-8, but they chose not to put it in the short-wheelbase 90. Similarly, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 packs a 470-horsepower 6.2-liter Hemi V-8, which is unfortunately only available in the long-wheelbase four-door version. Still, there are plenty of SUVs from the past two decades that put massive V-8 power and performance into relatively small vehicles. Even better, some of them are currently made today, in an age where the V-8 engine is an endangered species.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources. The SUVs are ranked by wheelbase from longest to shortest.

10 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

Wheelbase: 116.0 Inches

The Chevrolet Tahoe is not a ride that people usually associate with being on the smaller end, but from the second generation beginning in 2000 to the end of the fourth generation in 2020, it had a relatively diminutive wheelbase of 216 inches. In the lastest-gen, the Tahoe and its GMC counterpart, the Yukon, have grown into a monster with a 120.9-inch wheelbase, but it used to be a manageable vehicle.

Engine and Dimensions

A 2011 Chevy Tahoe could be optioned with a 405-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8, which is some nice power that turns the family SUV into a credible street performance machine. For reasons that make no sense, the same engine in the Yukon produced two fewer ponies. In the latest version of the Tahoe and Yukon, the engine is cranked up to 420 horsepower, which is good because they are now bigger and heavier.

9 2019 Mercedes-AMG GLE63

Wheelbase: 114.8 Inches

Mercedes-Benz introduced the mid-size luxury GLE in 1997, and since its inception has been a fairly small SUV with massive available V-8 performance. The early iterations were not the coolest-looking vehicles, but they could move and had the three-point star on the grille, so high-end consumers loved them. Though they have grown in size recently, the second-gen GLEs had a small wheelbase and scary performance options.

Engine and Dimensions

A 2019 GLE63 had a 114.8-inch wheelbase and, when equipped with the 5.5-liter V-8 plus the performance package, blasted out 549 horsepower, making it almost a supercar. Well, maybe it was closer to a muscle car, with a 4.2-second 0-60 time and quarter-mile capabilities in the mid-13s, which would have made it competitive with a classic Hemi-equipped Mopar. In reality, the second-gen GLE is an honorary Mopar because it comes from the Daimler-Chrysler era and is based on the same platform as the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

8 2024 Porsche Cayenne

Wheelbase: 114.0 Inches

While the Porsche Cayenne is named after a spicy chili pepper, the first generation, introduced in 2002, was rather bland. Porsche is one of the greatest sports car brands, but their first foray into SUV territory was a bit underwhelming. Despite being rather mundane-looking, the Cayenne has always packed a punch with crazy turbo V-8 power. In successive generations, it has gotten decidedly cooler looking, and the 2024 edition is one of the hottest-styled crossovers on the market.

Engine and Dimensions

The Cayenne has maintained its short 114-inch wheelbase from the beginning until the most recent 2024 model. The 2024 Cayenne Turbo, with the 541-horsepower twin-turbo engine, makes it one of the most powerful SUVs ever created. Nobody needs to go 0-60 in 3.9 seconds or hit 177 MPH in an SUV, but driving exhilaration is not based on needs. This is a vehicle built for fun, with a bit of practicality thrown in for good measure.

7 2010 Ford Explorer

Wheelbase: 113.7 Inches

The Ford Explorer is another American SUV, like the Chevy Tahoe, that isn't regarded as being a smaller vehicle. The three-door version, introduced in 1991 had a 102.1-inch wheelbase, which is compact territory, but sadly lacked a V-8 option. By the third generation, beginning in 2006, the Explorer had grown by a few inches, but came available with a proper eight-cylinder engine.

Engine and Dimensions

The 2010 Explorer had a 113.7-inch wheelbase, which is honestly much smaller than it looks, and had an optional 4.6-liter V-8. Granted, at 292 horsepower, this wasn't the highest-performing V-8 ever put in a vehicle, but it did have eight cylinders in a V-pattern and was slightly better than the standard 210-horsepower V-6. The current version of the Explorer has a 119.1-inch wheelbase, putting it in the full-size segment, and does not offer a V-8 option.

6 2024 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Wheelbase: 113.1 Inches

Much like Porsche, Jaguar is primarily known for sports cars and grand tourers, but the current market demands crossover SUVs and the British automaker responded in 2016 with the F-Pace. In a bit of irony, the F-Pace's exterior is 80 percent aluminum, which the British pronounce al-ooh-min-ee-um, on a car brand that they also call a jag-you-are, so it's a silly pronunciation superstar.

Engine and Dimensions

The 2024 F-Pace SVR has a tiny 113.1-inch wheelbase and an enormous 550-horsepower supercharged V-8, which is equally silly, but in a much more awesome way. With a 3.7-second 0-60 time, a 12.1-second quarter-mile run, and a top speed of 178 MPH, this a serious performance vehicle, that also happens to have a surprisingly roomy interior and plenty of cargo space. Starting at $93,275, it ain't exactly cheap, but that kind of power is never going to come on a budget ride.

5 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS

Wheelbase: 113.0 Inches

Before the Chevrolet Trailblazer became a subcompact crossover, it was a mid-size SUV, and prior to that, it was a trim line of the S-10 Blazer. In 2001, it became its own model, and in 2006, it was the first SUV to get the "SS" treatment from Chevy. With the same 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 engine as the C6 Corvette, the Trailblazer SS has a stiffer suspension and was dropped a few inches to handle the additional power.

Engine and Dimensions

The 2006 Trailblazer SS had a 113-inch wheelbase, and nearly 400 horsepower, making it a serious muscle SUV. In fact, with a 14.2-second quarter-mile time, it would beat a 1969 Chevelle SS 396 in a drag race. For reasons that defy logic, the Trailblazer SS wasn't a hot seller, moving just 26,441 units in four model years and only 610 in 2009, its final year. As an unassuming short-wheelbase powerhouse, the Trailblazer SS is the ultimate sleeper SUV, and in terms of collectibles, an under-appreciated bargain.

4 2006 BMW X5 4.8is

Wheelbase: 111.0 Inches

The luxury crossover X5, launched in 1999, was BMW's first SUV and continues to anchor the segment in their current lineup. They have grown in size since the first generation, to be on the long end of the mid-size class, but began as a near-compact with a 111.0-inch wheelbase. Of course, European luxury is synonymous with power and the first-gen X5s had some great performance engine options.

Engine and Dimensions

The 2006 BMW X5 4.8is came equipped with a 355-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8, which was quick, but not the quickest. The 2006 Chevy Trailblazer SS had a faster acceleration time, as did the 2006 Hemi-equipped Dodge Durango, and both of those American SUVs were about half the price of the Beemer. The X5 did, however, have a much higher level of luxury, and the prestige that comes along with the BMW name, so it was a success and continues to be to this day.

3 2009 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Wheelbase: 109.8 Inches

Toyota started building the Jeep-esque Land Cruiser in 1951, and made a reasonably cool camper version of their trucks with the Trekker in the early 1980s. In 1984, they put all of that together on the 4Runner, for a proper SUV, and it was a hit. Toyota trucks are legendary for their reliability and maybe a bit notorious for being underpowered, but that changed with the fourth-gen 4Runner, when Toyota finally offered a V-8 engine option.

Engine and Dimensions

For the first time in 4Runner history, a 2003-2009 model could be equipped with a 4.7-liter V-8. Rated at just 235 horsepower, it actually produced fewer ponies than the 4.0-liter V-6 engine, but it did have a lot more torque, which is good for off-road applications. With the minuscule 109.8 wheelbase, the fourth-gen 4Runner was right on the edge between mid-size and compact. The other interesting thing about this generation is the SR5 could be optioned with third-row seating, which is great for small children, but not so much for adults.

2 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8

Wheelbase: 109.5 Inches

Jeep came up with the Grand Cherokee as a less-boxy, more up-scale version of the popular Cherokee SUV in 1993. From the beginning, they were offered V-8 options, but then in 2006, they went crazy and put a 420-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 under the hood of the Grand Cherokee SRT-8, creating a beast. In fact, with a 4.6-second 0-60 time, it was the fastest accelerating of all the SRT-8 vehicles, including the Dodge Charger SRT-8.

Engine and Dimensions

The suspension was modified on the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 taking it from an off-road monster to a street menace, which significantly dropped the weight of the vehicle. With a 109.5-inch wheelbase, this was a mid-size SUV in name only, as it was almost 10 inches shorter than a Durango, which is considered a mid-size ute. The SRT-8 trim on the Grand Cherokee only lasted until the 2010 model year, but it was fun while it lasted and created a collectible out of a nameplate that was never destined to be a sought-after classic.

1 2010 Jeep Commander

Wheelbase: 109.5 Inches

With the exact same 109.5-inch wheelbase as the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Commander tops the list of smallest SUVs with V-8 engines through the magic of alphabetization. That actually could have gone either way, but this is how it is. The Commander was only made from 2005 to 2010 and never really caught on with the public, mostly because it's a bit of an eyesore. It looks like they were going for a G-Wagon kind of thing and ended up with a D-as-in-dork-Wagon instead.

Engine and Dimensions

While certainly not the most attractive ride in Jeep's history, it was a capable off-road vehicle that was loaded with features. It also had the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 option, which didn't suck. The whole package was terrible, however, and then-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said upon the Commander's discontinuation: "That vehicle was unfit for human consumption. We sold some. But I don't know why people bought them."