The flagship SUV from the Land Rover family combines an elegant presence with impressive power and a driving experience that is an absolute thrill.
Although Range Rover is owned by India-based Tata Motors, the vehicle itself is assembled in England, with its transmission sourced from Germany. Under the hood, the full-size luxury SUV packs a 3.0-liter supercharged and intercooled V-6 paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering an impressive 395 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 405 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm.
A smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox puts power to the road, while noble-plated, steering-wheel-mounted paddles allow for manual shifting.
Suspension duties are handled by a double-wishbone front and multilink rear setup, with Adaptive Dynamics automatically adjusting firmness to enhance balance, handling and grip. All-wheel steering makes U-turns and parking in tight spots effortless. Bringing the massive 5,600-pound SUV to a halt are 14.9-inch front and 13.9-inch vented rear brakes. Terrain Response 2 offers a selection of drive modes based on road and weather conditions, including Comfort for daily driving, Eco, Dynamic and Auto, as well as settings for grass, gravel and snow, mud and ruts, sand, rock crawl and wading.
The clamshell hood of the SUV meets a broad, attractive horizontal black grille centered by the recognizable green oval emblem and flanked by LED headlights with signature daytime running lamps. With the key in your pocket, the door handles automatically deploy as you approach.
Specifications
Tires: 275/50R21
Wheelbase: 126 inches
Length: 207 inches
Height: 74 inches
Width: 81 inches
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons
City/hwy/comb: 19/24/21 mpg
Inside, expansive perforated Windsor leather seats with substantial side bolsters provide a comfortable, supportive ride. Wood trim adds a refined touch to the cabin. The Pivi Pro infotainment system features a 13.1-inch floating curved-glass touchscreen integrated into the center console, controlling audio, navigation, climate and seat functions. A 13.7-inch digital driver display features rounded speedometer and tachometer readouts. A short but prominent shifter knob adds a touch of luxury to the pristine cabin.
Rear passengers enjoy generous headroom and ample legroom. Other standard amenities include 12-way heated and cooled front seats, a sliding panoramic moonroof, wireless phone charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four-zone automatic climate control, a Meridian sound system, power second- and third-row seats and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column.
Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side-curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, dynamic and roll stability controls, electronic traction control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, park assist, blind-spot assist, hill-launch assist, rear-traffic monitoring, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking aids, a 3D surround-view camera, a tire-pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.
Whether you are headed off the beaten path or cruising the highway, the stately and serene Range Rover will guide you to your destination in royalty-like extravagance. As the illustrious English musician Jimmy Page once so aptly said, “The whole thing about ‘The Rover’ is the whole swagger of it.” Yes, swagger’s the word!
Email motoringtampabay@gmail.com to connect with Nitish S. Rele, the editor/publisher of Motoring Tampa Bay and Khaas Baat.
