The Lamborghini Urus was introduced for the 2019 model year for those potential buyers who had upwards of $200,000 to spend on a Lamborghini, but really wanted an SUV. It’s seen incremental changes over the years and competes with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

What’s New for the 2023 Lamborghini Urus

This year, Lamborghini revises the Urus trim lineup with a new base S model and a new Performante model. The Performante rides lower, on a different suspension, and it sheds weight thanks to carbon-fiber body panels. Both feature the same V8 engine as before, but with a slight bump in horsepower. The Urus also features revised front- and rear-end styling on both trims, with some exclusive touches for the Performante inside and out.

Design

Though the Lamborghini Urus shares some of its design and engineering with the Audi Q8 lineup, the brand’s reputation demands a much more flamboyant approach, with everything from standard 21-inch wheels to a wide range of candy colors. The 2019 design was hardly stale, especially considering the relative rarity of the Urus on public roads, but the new front and rear end styling updates are subtle yet fresh. The Performante model takes it a notch further with a new roof spoiler and available 23-inch wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires.

Powertrain

Both Urus trims feature a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. It makes 657 horsepower — a 16-hp increase for this year — and 627 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) come standard, and a torque-vectoring system helps maintain stability through corners. Other features include an adaptive air suspension for the S and steel springs with a lower ride height for the Performante, rear-wheel steering, and carbon-ceramic brakes. Both Urus models have EPA ratings of 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, which is an improvement of one or two mpg over 2022 ratings. The Urus requires premium fuel.

Interior

Despite the size of the Urus, it is designed for just four passengers. Power-adjustable, heated front seats come standard, and there’s a wide range of customization options in terms of upholstery and trim. The Performante model gets upgraded seats and exclusive interior trim. Options include premium Bang & Olufsen audio and a panoramic moonroof. The Urus can hold 21.8 cubic feet of cargo beneath the liftgate and 56.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Technology

The Urus borrows much of its technology interface from Audi, but that’s not a bad thing. The result is a fully customizable digital gauge cluster accompanied by a center console with two stacked touchscreens. The upper display controls wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and the lower screen houses climate controls and other settings. Wireless device charging also comes standard.

Safety

Since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) typically don’t crash-test luxury performance vehicles like the Urus, there are no standard ratings for its safety. Lamborghini does include basic standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, a head-up display (HUD), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive LED headlights. Optional safety features include a self-parking system and a night-vision camera.

Pricing

As of this writing, Lamborghini has a starting MSRP of $233,995 for the new base Urus S model, which is about $15,000 more than the base price in 2022. The Performante, also new to the lineup for 2023, starts at $268,666. Both Urus models can be customized with extensive variations on interior and exterior trim plus performance upgrades, which can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars more.