It's hard to know where to start with the new Range Rover. After all, this is only the 5th all-new one in more than 50 years. This is a big deal.
Overview
2023 Land Rover Range Rover Is How You Do a Luxury SUV
What attracts global elites to the Range Rover isn't the SUV's legendary off-road capability, but rather its effortlessly elegant styling, its opulent cabin, and the A-list status that it’s developed over the years. The list of Range Rover owners even includes Her Majesty the Queen. One couldn't ask for a better brand ambassador. The 2023 model represents the most luxurious Range Rover yet. A trio of powertrain options—including a hybrid—deliver ample power; the brand's largest SUV comports itself through traffic regally, with a smooth ride and a hushed interior. Venturing off-road is certainly an option for Range Rover owners; all-wheel drive is standard and the air suspension can be raised to provide extra ground clearance—although we know that few will actually dare to subject this rolling art piece to such indignity. The Range Rover starts at over R1,800,000, which means it's more expensive than rivals such as the Cadillac Escalade, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class. So be it. The Range’s reputation, presence, and royal endorsement all help justify its premium price tag.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
SE R1,800,000
Autobiography R2,730,000
First Edition R2,810,000
SV R3,450,000
We'd recommend opting for the mid-range Autobiography model, which adds several sought-after items that luxury buyers will appreciate. For example, the Autobiography comes standard with a 1600-watt Meridian stereo system featuring headrest-mounted speakers and active noise cancellation. The Range Rover will be offered in both a short- and long-wheelbase body styles; and we suggest going for the latter since it creates room for a third row of seats and provides a more generous cargo area.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Range Rover is available with a trio of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt hybrid system dubbed P400 that develops 395 horsepower. During our initial test drive it proved to be silky-smooth and provided adequate pep to tug the large Range Rover around. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine—Land Rover calls it P530—is even perkier and cranks up the Range Rover's towing capacity to 8200 pounds. A 434-hp plug-in hybrid option—called P440e—is also available but only on the short wheelbase SE trim. The Range Rover's ride is suitably plush and, with its adjustable air suspension set to Comfort mode, it virtually floats down the road. Turning the dial to Dynamic mode firms things up some, but the big Rover still aims for a comfort-first mission. When we get a chance to take the Range Rover on our test track, we'll update this story with test results.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The EPA hasn't released official range estimates for the plug-in hybrid P440e, but Land Rover says the system's 31.8-kWh battery pack should provide around 48 miles of electric-only driving range. The P440e is capable of DC fast charging or can be charged at a home-based charger.
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