What No One Else Will Tell You About the Lamborghini Urus SE—It’s Too Good Not To Share
It's electric power boosted but still growly and extraordinarily powerful. But what else makes it special?
If I were asked to name the most beautiful SUV on the road right now, this is the one I’d pick: The Lamborghini Urus SE.
And, I’d be as surprised as you are. Lamborghini, for all its laurels for performance, power and supercar prowess, isn’t the first brand that comes to mind when the topic is beauty—or, at least not to everyone. But everyone who sees the 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE, priced from $258,636, will agree; it’s gorgeous.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
You Might Forget This SUV is a Lambo
The Lamborghini Urus SE is so gorgeous that you might also forget its one of the fastest, most powerful cars on the road. It’s a super SUV, powered by a V8 engine assisted by plug-in hybrid powertrain that boosts its power to 789 HP, a 132 HP upgrade from the previously most powerful Urus, the Performante.
The PHEV powertrain allows it to deliver both the silent driving of an EV and the throaty growl of a V8. No one will be deprived of the expected experience of a Lamborghini.
Also reminding you that this is a Lambo is the center console, start-up process and putting the car into gear.
I’m going to call this one out for the non-Lambo initiated: Starting and driving this car is unlike any other on the road.
Read: 11 Things You’ll Have to Get Used to When You Drive a Lamborghini Urus Supercar
Go Ahead, Put it in Gear and Get Going—If You Can
On the Hulu reality show “Got To Get Out” the first challenge to contestants was to head outside, hop into a supercar, including two Lamborghinis, start it up and race away. If they can figure out how to start the car, that is.
And it’s not a crazy challenge; starting a Lamborghini is an IYKYK proposition. But I’ll let you in on the secret, and yes, the Urus SE follows the standard Lambo start-up protocol:
Lift the red cage over the starter button and press it. Then, pull the right paddle back to put the car in drive. To put it in reverse, neutral or park there are buttons on the center console. In the Urus SE you can pull either the right or left paddle to put the car in drive, which is nice when you’ve just backed out of a parking spot and the steering wheel isn’t exactly upright in front of you.
Read: We Drove Every Ultra Luxury SUV From the VW Group—Audi, Porsche, Bentley and Lambo. Which is Best?
Drive Modes Are Better in Italian
Another thing that’s a true Lamborghini characteristic are the drive modes and if you speak Italian they make total sense. Drive mode selectors are on either side of the Urus’ gear selector on the center console.
On the left side are the Anima modes. Anima is actually an acronym for adaptive network intelligent management, but really, it in Italian it means ‘soul,’ which is much more fitting; it allows you to find the soul of this car. Pull the Anima lever to toggle through Strada (for street), Sport, Corsa (for tack), Sabbia (for sand), Terra (for dirt) and Neve (for snow).
On the right side of the gear box is the EV drive mode selector. Pull the EV lever to toggle through hybrid mode, battery recharge, which recharges the battery and battery performance mode, which puts all the Urus SE’s power into play.
On the panel of toggles just above the climate controls is a button marked Ego, which is custom mode. It allows you to customize your drive mode anyway you’d like it.
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You Can Drive it In Electric… If You Insist
The Lamborghini Urus SE starts in electric mode as a default (in theory to let you quietly exit your neighborhood), but once you put it in any of the drive modes the V8 kicks in; the V8 will also take over if you hit more than 81 MPH. To ensure enough battery power to drive it in EV mode you can charge the Urus SE; it has an all-electric range of about 26 miles.
My guess is most drivers will immediately pick a drive mode to get the full Lambo sound and fury. Which begs a question: is it necessary to charge it to get the desired performance? Not really; the system is designed to recharge while you drive and to maintain a minimum charge so you’re never deprived of the Urus SE’s electric boost.
Learn to Say “Ciao, Lamborghini!”
As if the Italian drive modes aren’t enough, there’s this —IYKYK ALERT—another detail no one else will tell you, either, probably because they won’t take the time to figure it out: turn on voice activation and say “Ciao, Lamborghini!” and the multimedia system is at your service.
The system will set navigation and change the cabin temperature among other things. But mostly you get to drive around saying, “Ciao, Lamborghini!” It’s like a mini vacation to the Amalfi Coast and worth every single syllable.
The multimedia system is, like everything else in this car, nicely done. The screen is large and easy to see, Apple CarPlay is wireless and connects seamlessly and there are Lamborghini apps to track and display your performance.
Below the main screen is a second screen with climate controls, and in front of the steering wheel is a driver’s display. This screen is new for 2025 and allows you to scroll through different settings; it’ll also show you what features are engaged and display your performance stats.
In all, the screens are a comfortable size and they don’t feel diminutive like they do in Lamborghini’s sports cars thanks to a more compact cabin.
Don’t Let the Drive Experience Distract You From This SUV’s Beauty
Once you learn to start and drive the Lamborghini Urus SE you can sink into its gorgeous leather seats, take in the open sky thanks to the panoramic sunroof and breathe deep. If you feel as if you’ve just been transported to Sardinia, well, that’s the point. Being in this car is a get-away in itself, not just a get-away car.
Our test model was wrapped in a deep navy purple called Viola Galaxias and inside finished in a white Classico leather on the seats and surfaces. The leather panels on the dashboard, the center console and door panels featured cross-stitching in a contrasting dark blue for a little extra bit of elegance; on the dashboard it nicely offset the cursive Lamborghini logo.
The dashboard was surrounded in elegant muted wood and metal, creating one of the most elegant interiors I’ve ever seen. I had remind myself this is a super-powered SUV designed for the track, not that I’d risk scraping that paint or those wheels anywhere close to someplace where metal flies at over 150 MPH.
Customization Takes the Urus SE Over the Top
You could get away with limiting your budget on the Lamborghini Urus SE and just go for the basics. But why when you can truly make it your own with custom features, rare finishes and your own touches? This is the trend for Lambo owners and one that the company applauds—but not for the reason you might think. Yes, the more you spend the more they make, but they then put those extra dollars into developing more technology, perfecting the brand’s game on the track and developing more delights for your next Lamborghini. Smart, right?
So, what can you customize and how much does it cost? Our test model features the custom Viola Galaxias paint at $13,384; leather upgrades throughout and fully powered front seats for $16,306; leather stitching and cross stitching for $2,227; ambient lighting for $3,258; Galanthus shiny black diamond rims for $6,898; logo valve caps and embroidery for $1,183. But really, the sky is the limit. You can add your name; add more color, add contrasting leathers or microsuede; I’d add a suede steering wheel if it were my car.
The total price of our test model with all the extras and options: $336,669.
What We Loved in the Lamborghini Urus SE
Oh, where to start? There’s so much to love:
- The beautiful interior space is a spoiler; you won’t want to get out of it
- The drive experience is beyond thrilling, even in Strada mode
- The sound when you put the system in hybrid or better, battery recharge mode
- The instant acceleration that the electric powertrain provides
- The exterior design; the rear end tapers to a point just under the rear window, which was a consideration when putting it in my garage
- Ciao Lamborghini voice assistance — it’s one of the most special details in this car
- The endless customization details
- The deep navy purple of our tester; I never knew purple was my color!
- The cross-stitched leather added such a refined feeling
- The panoramic sunroof
What You Need to Know
There are caveats, most of which are pretty predictable since this is a super car:
- That beautiful rear end? That must be an expensive fix when it gets damaged; it’s something to think about when considering where you’ll park it
- Maintenance is pricey, too; an oil change alone can cost more than $1,000
- Premium fuel is required
- All the beautiful extras can add up quickly
- Get ready to drive a lot; all your friends will want to go for a ride
- It can drive 26 miles on electric power and will get about 20 MPG from the hybrid-assisted gas engine
- It takes about four hours to charge at a level 2 charger and overnight using a standard wall outlet
- If you really want one, start your order now; Lamborghini only builds so many and it may take a year or so to get yours
What This Car Costs
Cost is really up to you; most Lamborghini Urus SEs are specified by the buyer, adding suggested or requested colors and details. Here is the framework:
- Base price, which includes the hybrid powertrain, carbon-ceramic brakes, stability control, air suspension, adaptive headlights, heated folding side view mirrors, keyless remote, power tailgate, parking sensors and cruise control, starts at $258,636
- While a few standard paint colors are included, there are literally thousands of choices with prices ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars
- Specifying interior materials such as colored leather, carbon fiber, wood and other materials will also add to the price, again from a few to many thousands of dollars
- Additions to our test model included Viola Galaxias paint ($13,384) three leather packages ($16,306), black brake calipers ($1,314), hands-free tailgate ($860) ambient lighting ($3,258), a multifunction steering wheel ($1,376), Band & Olufsen 3D sound ($7,468), gloss black styling package ($$3,752), front and rear heated seats ($657), privacy glass ($2,220), a panoramic sunroof ($3,354). With a destination charge of $3,995 the full MSRP came to $336,669.
Deep Integrity Marks This Elegant SUV
The Lamborghini Urus SE surprises at every turn: you’ll find that beautiful paint color in every nook and crevice of metal (no wonder paint costs so much!). You’ll find no skimping on the leather options; everything that can be covered in leather is. And you’ll find no compromise in performance: Yes, it’s fast and accelerates nearly instantly,
But it’s also agile and easy to drive; it doesn’t intimidate you with its expert skill level.
And that’s what I think I appreciated most: knowing the power was there when I wanted it but to also feel confident going to the grocery store and inconspicuously crawling through a parking garage. This super car is at home everywhere it goes, and beautifully so, making it a delightful sight to return to every single time.
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