Lamborghini Urus SE Review

It's back, and it's stronger than ever.

After having first pioneered the Super SUV segment and proving a runaway sales success for Lamborghini, the Urus has now returned, and the top story is that there's a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain under that bonnet.

The Lamborghini Urus SE gets new head lights, a redesigned bonnet, and a new rear said to take inspiration from the Gallardo

Two hearts?

That's right.

Powering this new Urus SE is now a 4.0-litre V8 paired with a 141kW electric motor animated by a 25.9kWh battery. But admonish at once any impression that this new Urus is lacking for drama because of this move towards electrification.

Let's look at the numbers first: With the ability to push out a system total of 789bhp, this Lamborghini is a serious contender for segment honours when it comes to sheer output. Porsche's Cayenne Turbo E Hybrid, for example, will give you a total of 730bhp, while the recently revealed Aston Martin DBX S, without the benefit of electrical assistance admittedly, manages "just" 717bhp.

Shop from within the Emilia-Romagna region that this raging bull calls home and you'll find that the SUV contender from the house of the prancing horse offers up but a total of 715bhp.

Total output from the new plug-in hybrid drivetrain stands at 789bhp, while peak torque stands at a dizzying 950Nm

But sheer numbers, of course, only tell one story.

What they don't reveal is the sheer breadth of ability Lamborghini has endowed this Urus SE. Hop in, and it genuinely isn't all that apparent that you've got nearly 800bhp at your disposal. In fact, the first thing that strikes when you get behind the wheel of this Urus SE is just how Audi-like so many of the controls are. 

The weight and fashion in which the door handles operate, the steering wheel buttons, and the new 12.3-inch infotainment system (even after being endowed with its own graphics and a hexagon-based home screen) really won't be unfamiliar to anyone who has driven an Audi Q8.

There are upshots to this component sharing, however. Build quality here is commendable, and this cabin is also all rather intuitive. All the controls are simply where you'd expect them to be, and there's even a conventional stalk from which you'll operate the indicators - unlike the bothersome steering wheel buttons that do duty in the Revuelto.

The car has additionally received a new 12.3-inch infotainment system, which proves easy to navigate, and comes paired with dedicated screen for the air-conditioning controls

Two different lives?

And this Super SUV proves equally easy to drive leisurely.

Leave the car to its tamest 'Strada' and hybrid drive mode, and it stays genuinely calm and relaxed. You should be able to keep the car in its electric-only mode when simply creeping out of your garage, but call on the sort of acceleration fitting of an arterial and the Urus SE proves eager to call upon the help of its 4.0-litre engine.

It's quite eager to make its presence known (as is fitting for a Lamborghini), coming online with a significant burp from the exhaust and giving the car a noticeable bump in eagerness to accelerate.

Still, those entertaining discreet entrances or exits from a gala event need not abandon hope: The V8 emits only a background burble when left unstressed. And the Urus' air suspension system has been calibrated to match. It's firm, but far from harsh, only permitting the sharpest edges on the road to disrupt the calm of the cabin.

The Lamborghini Urus SE is still a mighty practical car: There's plenty of space for rear passengers and a huge 616-litre boot at the rear

But choose one of the sportier driving modes, call on the hybrid system offer maximum performance, and the Urus SE reveals itself to be a different breed entirely.

Throttle response from the Urus SE driven as so is sharp, although you're going to need to dial up the revs from that V8 if you're looking to properly scare yourself. At least that V8 burble is now a full-blown bassy bellow, always tantalising you take the car once again to its 6,800rpm limit after you've fetched another gear from those oversized paddles.

And it has the handling chops to keep up with a rambunctious driver. Singapore's roads are hardly enough to put the dynamic capabilities of such a car to the test, but our short afternoon drive was enough for us to observe commendable resistance to body roll, tremendous grip at either axle, and more impressive still, an eagerness to change direction that seemed unbecoming of its sheer size and 2,505kg weight.

Having said this, I did find myself wanting for just a touch more weight from the Urus SE's steering, and a bit more resistance behind the initial travel of its brake pedal.

Looking to match absurd power and V8 drama in your practical SUV? This Urus SE will do nicely

Dare to be more?

So, should you get one of your own?

The most pertinent point for a potential buyer to consider, I think, is the fact that Lamborghini has announced that it will make a new grand tourer (set to look not unlike this Lanzador concept) and complete with seats at the back.

This means that the Urus is already set to lose its unique status as the sole Lamborghini with which you'll be able to ferry more than one friend. And with component sharing going unabated amongst the Volkswagen Group brands, consider also the fact that this new grand tourer could well match the 1,093bhp output of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (that is, more than what you get from this Urus SE).

But if you like your Lamborghini big and tall, there's plenty of points for consolation still: The new grand tourer is set to arrive in showrooms only by 2028 at best, for one. And secondly, this Urus SE still thoroughly impressed with its ability to offer both comfort and sheer performance alike, even during a quick stint with it.

Throw in the fact that it offers an undeniably spacious body combined with a drivetrain that manages to offer all the drama and noise that comes with combustion power on top of the opportunity to occasionally motor about in relative quiet, and it's hard to deny that the Urus SE will retain an appeal all of its own owing to its sheer versatility for a long time to come.

And isn't sheer versatility and power what made the original Urus stand out as a Super SUV to begin with?

Shopping for a Super SUV? Be sure to catch our reviews of these alternatives:

Read all about the sweet handling Aston Martin DBX707 here!

Or maybe you're also now interested to see just how the Audi SQ8 performs in comparison?

There's also our review of the Lamborghini Urus S to read through here!