Lamborghini Urus S Review: The New Baseline

The Lamborghini Urus is no more. As the original super SUV, the Urus was designed to upstage the automotive world by combining the elements of practicality with supercar performance. It certainly rocked the boat, but it also opened the doors for a whole segment that has since become quite popular, featuring fire-breathing sports utility vehicles from iconic marques, including Ferrari and Aston Martin, with the Purosangue and DBX variants, respectively. And, considering how the well-heeled flocked to buy these raucous family haulers, Lamborghini has taken the next logical step: dial the Urus up to eleven.

Enter the Urus S and its Performante sibling. While the former took over the torch from the regular Urus as the new base-level model as of 2023, the latter version of the Lamborghini Urus gets a separate review for its pure track-focused capabilities. Both are powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 657 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, but this is significant for the Urus S since it now represents the entry point to the range. The increase in power is just the tip of the iceberg.

2024 Lamborghini Urus S

Although nothing changes going into 2024, we know there's a Urus plug-in hybrid waiting in the wings, tipped to arrive toward the end of this year, likely as a 2025 model.

2023 Lamborghini Urus S

New for 2023, the Lamborghini Urus S steps into the lineup as the new base model with a more powerful engine and a fresher design. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 now makes 657 hp, allowing a quicker sprint to 60 mph, while maintaining the fun-to-drive qualities of the outgoing model. The updated exterior design gives it an assertive look that will get heads turning - but none of it comes cheap.

Specs and Trims: Lamborghini Urus S Models And Configurations

2024 Lamborghini Urus S AWD
Model
Urus
Model Year
2024 Lamborghini Urus S
Year
2024
MSRP
$237,848
Engine
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
Horsepower
657 hp
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Torque
627 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm

Urus S Exterior

The exterior of the Lamborghini Urus S is significantly changed from the regular Urus, with restyled bumpers showing off a matte black-painted stainless steel skid plate up front. Also in front, there's a carbon fiber hood with air vents which can be matched in color to the body, painted in gloss black, or finished in carbon fiber. At the rear, the lower bumper houses a new twin-pipe exhaust design in brushed steel. These can be switched out for a black matte or black chrome effect. A panoramic roof or carbon fiber roof is available, and black roof rails can be added to your build - but that's not where the customization options end. You can add items such as a rear spoiler and chromed exterior accents. LED headlights with Y-shaped DRLs highlight the nose of the menacing SUV.

As standard, the Urus S rides on 21-inch wheels with a titanium matte and diamond finish. 22-inch and 23-inch options are available, however, in a variety of colors and finishes.

Dimensions

The Lamborghini Urus S's dimensions aren't any different to the regular version, with a length of 201.25 inches that swells by an inch with all the carbon fiber kit added. The width, including mirrors, comes to 85.9 inches, and it stands 64.5 inches in height. The Urus S's wheelbase measures 118.2 inches, overall.

At just over 4,843 pounds in curb weight, the Lambo Urus S is a hefty beast, but still lighter than the Bentley Bentayga, with which it shares a platform.

LengthWheelbaseHeightMax WidthFront WidthRear WidthCurb Weight
201.3 in118.2 in64.5 in79.4 in66.7 in67.3 in4,844.0 lbs


Exterior Colors

There are so many options for painting the exterior of the Urus S, and the base color palette includes subdued white through various greys and silvers to black, and striking colors like Blu Eleos (blue), Giallo Auge (yellow), Rosso Anteros (red), Arancio Borealis (orange), and Verde Mantis (green). The Ad Personam palette opens up even more options with Viola Pasifae (purple), Oro Elios (gold), Verde Scandal (lime), Blu Uranus (turquoise) as some examples. There are also matte paints available in unique shades like Blu Okeanos Matt (dark blue), Blue Arione (darker aquamarine), and Viola Nebula (deep purple), to name a few.

To complement this wide selection of exterior colors, the Lamborghini Urus S can also be optioned with more than just the standard silver brake calipers; buyers can choose from green, black, orange, red, and yellow.

Urus S Performance

Its in performance terms that we can really see the difference between the standard Urus and the 'S' deriviative. While both make use of a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, the one in the Urus S is tuned to make 657 horsepower over the regular Urus's 641 hp. This gives the Urus S performance specs that are also improved over the regular version, with the latter doing the 0-62 mph sprint in 3.6 seconds. The Urus S shaves off a tenth of a second of that time before it'll hurtle onward to a top speed of 189 mph. Power is sent to all four wheels as standard, but the system is rear-wheel biased with a 40/60 split to the front/rear. The Torsen locking center differential will send up to 70% of torque to the front or 87% to the rear when needed, while a rear differential manages the torque vectoring.

The Urus S can be had with a tow hitch, but that seems rather plebeian for a car like this. The automaker doesn't make any claims as to towing capacity, either way.

Engine and Transmission

The engine in the Lamborghini Urus S is the same as the one in its Performante sibling; the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that makes 657 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. It's no V12 like that found in the Purosangue, but it's more than the old Urus makes, although the torque figure stays the same. It's mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard. While the Performante gets the added benefit of an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, the standard system on the Urus S isn't less pleasing - the V8 burbles and sings beautifully when pushed, and the auto 'box makes for a suitable companion. So much so, that you don't need the paddle shifters as the shifts are spot on. The shifters are more for those that want a little more of a hands-on experience.

Handling and Driving Impressions

When high-performance SUVs like this became a thing, the idea of a large and heavy family hauler sprinting from stop lights and leaving you breathless felt alien; but in a segment where acceleration is now hotly contested, the way a car drives becomes more and more important. Firstly, the S rides on air suspension as standard with auto-balancing and sensors that control adaptive dampers to ensure that every ride is smooth. And then there's the rear-wheel-steering and torque vectoring that work together when you want to push it just a little to ensure it stays flat through the corners. Activating Sport and Corsa modes will even allow you to have a little fun with the SUV, and carbon ceramic brakes will ensure you come to a stop when you need to. For a large vehicle, the Urus S is delightfully athletic, althouh it's not as single-minded in focus as its Performante sibling that really should stay on track; the Urus S does equally well cruising urban streets as it does when you want some mild high-speed fun.

Urus S Gas Mileage

The AWD Urus S gets 14/19/16 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. This is an improvement over the 2022 Urus (12/17/14 mpg), and the same as the Urus Performante. Considering the extra power, the improved gas mileage of the Urus S over the previous Urus is a lovely bonus. Naturally, a heavy right foot won't see these figures in real life.

All Urus models get a 19.8-gallon fuel tank that allows for a range of around 315 miles when filled, but driven through the reserve tank to empty will add an extra 45 miles or so.

Urus S Interior

The Lambo Urus S interior is certainly a high-tech affair with enough displays and controls across the dashboard to resemble an airplane cockpit. We imagine this is one of the reasons the automaker saw fit to add a red flip-up switch to the center console that houses the stop/start button, although this is a common trait among Lambo products. The fit and finish is high quality, as expected, the seats are supportive, and materials used are top-notch. Finding gripes means some careful consideration, and results in mentioning a tight rear seat space and some visibility issues out back. For the former, however, you could still seat two adults comfortably, and for the latter, there is a host of on-board tech to cover backing up maneuvers.

Seating and Interior Space

The interior space and seating in the Lamborghini Urus S is enough for up to five occupants, although the sloping roofline means that taller folks won't be overly comfortable at the back. You can also swap out the rear bench for a two-seater setup that keeps total occupants to four, but the standard seats up front are fully electric in terms of adjustment and come with the option of ventilation and massage functions. They're comfortable to sit in and live up to the high standards we'd expect from the brand. And, since this isn't a low-slung sports car, getting in and out is a breeze.

Interior Colors and Materials

Leather upholstery is the standard fare in the Urus S, but Alcantara, Sportivo leather with Performante trim, and Sofisticato leather are up for grabs on the options list. Urus S interior colors range from basic shades like Marrone Elpis (brown), Grigio Octans (gray), and Nero Ade (black) to black with a range of contrast stitching in red, blue, yellow, orange, green, or white. If you opt for the bicolor Sportivo leather or Alcantara, the bolsters and some of the dash trim and door cards can be had in bright colors, too. The bicolor Sofisticato leather with performance trim option is a little more demure, offering contrast colors in muted hues, like Blu Leandro (blue), Rosso Rea (red), Terra Asia (light brown), and Verde Aura (bottle green).

Lamborghini also allows you to add leather to the headliner and various other sections of the cabin, while seatbelts can be optioned in black or brown. The interior door handles can also be equipped in dark aluminum or red, while accent trim choices include carbon fiber, wood, or aluminum.

Urus S Trunk and Cargo Space

Cargo space isn't something Lamborghinis are known for, but since this is an SUV and supposedly a family one at that, it's a pertinent point to discuss. With the standard second-row bench seat for three, the Urus S has 21.75 cubic feet of cargo space, which drops to 20.3 cubes when the four-seater option is specified. You can fold down the back row if you want more space.

Small-item storage isn't generous, but it's sufficient to house a small purse in the glove box and stow a few loose items in the center console compartment. There are two cupholders up front, and rear occupants get two for themselves.

Features

With power-adjustable, heated front seats, soft close doors, keyless entry, push-button start, multi-zone climate control, cruise control, and a universal garage door opener as standard, the list of what's included off the bat isn't overly long. You need to hand over even more money if you want a panoramic roof, park assist with remote parking, rear heated seats, sun blinds, ambient lighting, and a head-up display. A top-view camera is also optional, together with traffic sign recognition. While we understand the powertrain is the main attraction here, the features list does seem a little sparse for a luxury SUV in this price range.

Infotainment

The infotainment setup in the Urus S is a good one; dual screens house all the functions with the upper screen dedicated to infotainment and the lower one for comfort functions like climate control and seat heating. The automaker is purposefully obtuse about size and how many speakers the standard audio system has, but we know you can upgrade to a 17-speaker Sensonum setup or a 3D Bang & Olufsen setup with 21 speakers. An available rear-seat entertainment system can also be optioned on.

Standard inclusions for the Urus S are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, Bluetooth, and voice control.

Urus S Problems and Reliability

There are no recalls listed for the latest models at the time of writing, but the previous Urus was recalled for an inoperative rearview camera in 2022. The automaker will likely have dealt with this issue in the production of the Urus S as the successor to the outgoing model.

To provide some peace of mind with regard to reliability, Lamborghini sells 2024 Urus S models with a three-year/unlimited-mile warranty.

Warranty

BasicDrivetrainCorrosionRoadside AssistanceMaintenance
3 Years / Unlimited Miles3 Years / Unlimited Miles12 Years / Unlimited Miles3 Years / Unlimited Miles3 Years / Unlimited Miles


Urus S Safety

Cars in this price bracket and with such low production volume are rarely subjected to crash test evaluations. Neither the performance-focused version nor the standard version it's based on have been tested, so there are no official ratings to base a safety review of the Lamborghini Urus S on.

But we can assume that with the number of safety features made standard and available, the Lambo SUV is likely to keep occupants safe if the worst should happen.

Key Safety Features

With eight airbags as standard and the expected electronic nannies in place, the Urus S sets out to be a safe proposition - sadly, you may have to pay extra for safety features, and the standard spec sheet is only so long. A rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision avoidance with automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring are included off the factory floor, but you'll have to pay extra if you want a top-view camera, automatic parking assist, night vision, highway assist with adaptive cruise control, lane assist, traffic jam assist, and pedestrian recognition. Some rivals cost a far sight less and have these items fitted as standard.

Verdict: Is The Lamborghini Urus S A Good SUV?

As a step up from what the Urus was, the Urus S ticks all the boxes required of it: it looks unique, it's rapid, it's a hoot to drive, and it boasts a lovely interior. It's got more power than before and is still a sought-after product, thanks in large part to the logo on its nose. That's not to say it's perfect, and with a high starting price and not as many safety features as we'd like in this bracket as standard, you'll have to go in with your eyes open. But there isn't much room for disappointment: the Urus S is a fine performance SUV that handles like a dream while still making it easy to drop your kids at school before flooring it on the way to your next meeting. If you don't have an issue paying for it, we say go for it.

What's the Price of the Lamborghini Urus S?

The price of the 2024 Lamborghini Urus S is estimated to start at around $235k - $240k, with options naturally adding a few thousand over and above that. Destination and handling charges are, historically, also around $4k for the automaker. Considering the base Lambo Urus had a starting MSRP upwards of $225k in 2022, the increase for the Urus S isn't unreasonable.

Additional Packages

Package pricing hasn't been made public, but there are a few ways to customize your Urus S if the base specification isn't enough for you. This includes a rear-seat entertainment system with dual monitors on the back of the front seats, and rear-seat heating as a standalone option.

Off-road modes with trailer towing preparation are available for those who are cocky enough to want to tow with their Lambo, and ambient lighting can also be added. The four-seater configuration is available for those who want a bit more space in the back and a heated steering wheel can be optioned on. A park assistance package with remote parking capabilities can also be added. Lastly, the Akrapovic racing exhaust from the Performante variant is available if you want to make your presence known.

High Gloss Black Style Package w/Front Splitter

$4,323

the following painted in shiny black: front grille, rocker covers, door inserts, rear diffuser and wheel arches, High Gloss Black Mirror Housings

Ad Personam.

What Lamborghini Urus S Model Should I Buy?

With only one 'base' Urus for 2024, the choice is simple. What color do you want your Urus S in? With customization available at a price, you will have to consider your options carefully when ticking the boxes - but we'd definitely want our Urus S with the four-seater package, an uprated sound system from B&O, the rear-seat entertainment screens, and with rear-seat heating to keep the offspring happy. If you're going to spend this kind of money, you may as well go all in. And for those who are saying they'd rather splurge on the Performante variation, it's worth remembering that with stiffer steel suspension giving a less comfortable ride, that model won't be as good as a family hauling sprinter as the Urus S is.