First Drive: New Range Rover

When the MK1 Range Rover was launched in 1970, it was designed as a rugged off-road vehicle, suitable for driving over rough terrain and even sported a hose-down interior. Fast forward to over half a century later and the newest incarnation is the epitome of luxury travel.

There’s no denying that the Range Rover is one of the world’s most recognized luxury cars. From heads of state to celebrities, farmers to footballers, the Range Rover has captured the hearts of millions with its street-cred, off-road capabilities and luxurious spec.

It’s not often that a new Range Rover comes along. In fact, since the first prototype arrived in 1967, there have only been four incarnations. With 125 patents taken out and over 140,000 hours of analysis undertaken, the new fifth-generation Range Rover is clearly very important to Land Rover.

The new Range Rover features an all-new chassis and a sleeker design than its predecessor, as well as combining upgraded technology and powertrains, and the need to future-proof it against climate change. With smoother lines, distinctive fundamentals are still very much present – the clamshell bonnet, pronounced sides and floating panoramic glass roof. A wider front grille emphasises its road presence, with flush vents and integrated LED lights. Side glazing feels as though it’s part of the door with its seamless and flush fit, and new in-door pop-out handles, allow for a cleaner finish. Newly designed rear slimline vertical LED taillights aid in the SUV’s aerodynamics.

Like the exterior, the interior has been streamlined - it feels fresh and luxurious. Sumptuous Bridge of Weir leather is available, along with innovative and sustainable leather alternatives - Ultrafabrics and premium Kvadrat (a wool blend of plant-based textiles made with Eucalyptus fibres and recycled plastic). The materials are extremely comfortable and durable and there’s a nice selection of plated metals, metallic inlays, pore-wood and ceramics dispersed throughout the cabin.

The new Range Rover is available in two versions. The standard wheelbase (SWB) is 5 metres long and two metres wide, with the long wheelbase (LWB) version adding an extra 20 centimetres. The extra space in the LWB allows for the option of a third row, meaning seven people can travel in luxury. Or, you can have it in ‘super-luxe’ SV trim four-seat configuration, with two separate reclining armchairs in the rear. Like most modern seven-seat SUV’s, the two rearmost seats are probably best reserved for smaller adults or children. The rear’s kitted out with an array of gadgets and tech, including charge points, cupholders and slide and tilt features. There’s even the option of a Champagne fridge instead of a middle seat.

With its wide, tall and spacious interior, driver and passenger space is very generous. Cabin space is optimised with plenty storage areas. The middle row of seats split and folds 40/20/40, while the rear seats in the seven-seater fold down becoming flush with the boot floor. As you’d expect, boot space is vast, and there’s no reduction in capacity with the plug-in hybrid variant. Some 725 litres of boot space is available in both versions. The seven-seat version offers 312 litres or 713 litres with the third row folded down. The famed electrically assisted split tailgate is standard, with the lower section doubling up as a seating area. There’s also a false floor with an impressive amount of space beneath.

Technology plays a key role in the new Range Rover. There are two screens which dominate the dashboard; a crisp 13.7-inch digital instrument display and a 13.1-inch enhanced Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen which almost ‘floats’ against the leather dash. The interface graphics are sharp, crisp and responsive. There are physical buttons – albeit not many, however, the mix of materials and tech combine to make the new Range Rover interior one of the very best around.

The new model comes with an array of safety equipment; including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking. Wireless smartphone mirroring is standard and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available, along with Alexa voice AI. Land Rover provide software which means you can receive over the air updates.

For the first time, the Range Rover comes with power assisted doors which can be spec’d up, with additional radar and sensors.

There’s a 360-degree surround camera as standard, along with parking sensors. The rear-view mirror flips to show the view from the back of the car. There are very helpful off-road cameras too, positioned low down allowing you to see what’s going on beneath, as well a side view of the front tyres, to help you avoid any obstacles.

The Range Rover offers a fantastic driving position, with front seats being 20-way electrically adjustable as standard – including height and lumbar support, and 24-way adjustable massaging seats on higher trim levels. The seats are incredibly comfortable and supportive. The commanding driving position is paired with excellent visibility all round.

There are four trim levels – SE, HSE and Autobiography, with SV being the top-of-the-range. As you’d expect, standard equipment levels are very generous. The entry level SE is very well kitted out. A leather interior with wood veneer, 21-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control and steering assist are standard. The HSE adds 22-inch alloys and heated and ventilated rear seats. The Autobiography adds massaging seats, and the SV includes nearly every option fitted as standard.

An all-electric version will join the line-up in 2024, but until then, there’s a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains which feature 48-volt mild hybrid technology, and plug-in hybrid options.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options help the Range Rover stand out from the competition. There are two plug-in hybrids - badged as P440e and P510e – equating to 440hp and 510hp respectively, combing a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol powertrain with a 105kW battery which feeds an electric motor with a useable capacity of 32kWh. According to Land Rover CO2 emissions are as low as 20g/km with a claimed combined average of 334.5mpg and 321.1mpg respectively. According to Land Rover, it will deliver approximately 62 miles of pure electric EV driving, though 50-55 miles is more realistic. Electric mode transitions seamlessly to combustion powertrain when needed. With low CO2 emissions and impressive ranges, the PHEV models charge quickly too - allowing for 0-80% of charge in under an hour. Home walk boxes will take up to five hours.

There are two diesel Ingenium powertrains, and two petrol powertrains. The 3.0-litre, straight-six, twin turbocharged diesel D300 and D350 models produce 300hp and 350hp respectively, with up to 37mpg and CO2 emissions from 198g/km and 0-62mph in 6.9 secs and 6.1 secs.

The 3.0-litre, straight-six petrol P400 produces 400hp, 0-62mph in 5.8 secs, 29.7mpg combined and 215g/km CO2 emissions. The top of the range 530hp, 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 P530 model, produces 0-62mph in a blistering 4.6 secs thanks to a Dynamic Launch system, 24.3mpg and 264g/km of CO2. Top speed is limited to 155mph.

As you’d expect, the ride quality is quiet and luxurious. Intelligent camera based eHorizon technology primes adaptive air suspension to cancel out the worst excess body roll. It’s ability to smooth out surfaces helps produce a controlled, refined and smooth drive. Despite its vast size and 2.5ton weight, the new Range Rover is surprisingly easy to drive, and feels smaller, delivering a controlled drive on country roads and town driving. Steering is accurate and precise. The standard ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive as are the brakes, thanks to a consistently weighted brake pedal.

A big part of this is down to the standard all-wheel steering – which enables the rear axle to pivot up to seven-degrees. It sharpens stability at high speeds as the rear wheels move in the same direction as the front. Manoeuvrability at lower speeds is improved too as the wheels move in the opposite direction, helping to reduce the turning circle to the same as that of a VW Golf. Due to this, the car is much more nimble and easier to manoeuvre than you think.

The Range Rover remains unsurpassed off-road. Settings can be done manually or ‘Terrain Response 2’ will automatically synch up with the chassis systems. Off-road, the Range Rover beats its rivals. All versions are all-wheel drive with a low ratio gearbox. Despite being 295mm off the ground, suspension can be adjusted to provide an additional 145mm clearance. In doing so, you can wade through water up to 900mm deep. Now, that’s impressive.

Road and wind noise are barely noticeable, with the cabin being an impressively quiet place to be. Class-leading sound insulation with acoustic glass and an active noise cancelling system which monitors wheel vibrations and tyre noise, uses the 35-speaker, 1600Watt Meridian audio system to emit frequencies, including from four hidden speakers in the headrests to help the cabin feel relaxed and serene.

Prices for the new Range Rover start from £99,375 whilst the fully loaded SV LWB is £203,000. All models come with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

It’s clear to see, the new Range Rover is taking aim at the latest Mercedes S-Class and the Rolls Royce Cullinan as the world’s most luxurious car – company, which any car manufacturer would aspire to be in.

The new Range Rover is a hugely confident car. Its levels of refinement, space, technology and customisation make it almost unrivalled. From the elegance and comfort to the power and handling, the Range Rover is brilliant on every level. With its new platform, intelligent engineering and sleek design, Land Rover have yet again set the benchmark for luxurious travel. Game on.

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