Introduction
If you’re after a luxury car that is also very large and great for off-roading, one model springs to mind instantly – the Range Rover. Often seen with celebs and royalty inside, the Range Rover is a statement vehicle, but one that is also one of the most practical cars around thanks to its capacious cabin and superb all-weather dynamics.
Add to that an extensive range of high-end features that a car costing over £80,000 commands, and you have one of the nicest vehicles on the road even before you add any extras to it.
But is the Range Rover all it’s cracked up to be? We get behind the wheel to find out…
Performance
Whichever engine you choose, the Range Rover doesn’t feel underpowered and never feels sluggish, with Land Rover priding the large SUV on refined performance wherever you go. Following its 2018 update it is offered with four powertrains, ranging from the 3.0-litre V6 diesel developing 271bhp and capable of 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds, up to the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol that produces 558bhp and can complete the sprint to 60mph in just 5.3 seconds.
Each unit comes with an eight-speed automatic and four-wheel drive for accomplished power delivery, with the transmission offering silky smooth changes. Due to the gas-guzzling nature of the model and changing of the times towards more environmentally-friendly motoring, Land Rover offers customers the choice of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor – which is as smooth as its conventionally-powered siblings.
Ride & Handling
With the air suspension paired to a well-balanced chassis, the Range Rover is unquestionably one of the most comfortable vehicles around. Lumps and bumps in the road are almost completely erased and you barely feel a thing while gliding along – especially at cruising speeds. Land Rover has also managed to make the SUV feel smaller than it actually is thanks to accurate steering and plenty of visibility.
But if you do decide to go through a corner with a bit more pace, you’ll soon remember you are driving a high-sided SUV and you will get some body roll – but that’s par for the course. When you are cruising along, you’ll feel cocooned in the cabin as Land Rover has added plenty of noise insulation to prevent much road and wind noise from making its way into the cabin.
Interior & Equipment
It’s safe to say that due to the reputation the Range Rover has built up over the years, quality is expected in the cabin. With leather upholstery, hard wood surfaces and a near-buttonless central console, you won’t find a harsh plastic anywhere in the cabin. Add to that there is loads of room for passengers and a well-sized, 482-litre boot in the back – with 1,908 litres of storage on offer if the rear seats are folded down.
As Land Rover also offers the model with an extended wheelbase, customers will be able to stretch out even more – especially with the addition of the optional executive class rear seats that can be leant back.
Standard equipment is extensive, with daytime running lights, panoramic roof, multi-function steering wheel, the Touch Pro Duo infotainment setup with two central touchscreens, the 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, DAB radio, heated seats, three-zone climate control, powered gesture tailgate, Meridian speaker system and 20-inch alloy wheels all fitted.
Driving assistance systems also come in good supply, with emergency braking, cruise control with speed limiter, parking sensors, lane departure warning and terrain response all applied from the base level.
Cost
Put simply, the Range Rover isn’t cheap with starting prices set from £81,900 for the Vogue model – but that’s what you would expect from a car with this much quality. Prices can go as high as £177,735, which gets you the SV Autobiography with the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine – the ultimate Range Rover.
Due to the size of the vehicle, running costs aren’t exactly low as the V6 diesel can achieve 31.5mpg and 199g/km CO2 – while the electrified 2.0-litre PHEV can, at best, get 85.1mpg and 72g/km CO2. For the PHEV, electric range is limited to 31 miles.
See local Range Rover pricesVerdict
There is no doubt in the Range Rover’s quality, and with the 2018 update providing a well-earned revamp, it continues to be the default choice for luxury SUV customers. The refined powertrains paired to an excellent chassis means no-fuss and comfortable driving, while the excellent level of equipment completes the package. Yes, the engines can be inefficient and thirsty, but that’s what you expect from a car this size. Overall, the Range Rover is still the ultimate SUV.