What is it?
Footballers, celebrities and even royalty are regularly spied behind the wheel of the plush SUV, and as a result its desirability as an item through which the well-off can politely remind the not-so-fortunate of their wealth and success has shot through the roof.
Adding to Rangie’s desirability is the fact that it’s also an incredibly talented off-roader, although it’s unlikely many people would be willing to take their £76,795 too far off the beaten track.
What’s new?
The current Range Rover has been around for some time now, and is due to be replaced by a refreshed version next year.
Updates for 2017 were minimal, with the introduction of Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with a larger 10-inch touchscreen display being the most notable.
New safety systems were also introduced, including the Drive Pro Pack, which included adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist and intelligent emergency braking.
What’s under the bonnet?
Our test vehicle was fitted with the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. Producing 255bhp and 600Nm of torque, this power plant allows the hefty SUV to accelerate from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, which isn’t too bad considering the Range Rover weighs in at 2.2 tonnes.
This weight does mean you will take a hit at the fuel pumps, though. Although Land Rover claims the big Rangie will manage 40.9mpg on the combined cycle, we were lucky to average 33mpg during our time with the car. CO2 emissions, meanwhile, stand at 182g/km.
What’s it like to drive?
It’s a strange experience getting behind the wheel of a Range Rover. Being enveloped by all of the cabin’s leather and wood leads you to feel separate from the outside world, and you really do look down on everyone else you happen to be sharing the road with. It’s all rather lovely.
Out on the open road the Range Rover is incredibly comfortable. It swallows the miles with ease, and an absence of wind and road noise in the cabin leaves you feeling relaxed and refreshed upon arrival at your destination.
If, for some reason, you decide to throw it at a windy section of road, you’ll be instantly reminded you’re at the wheel of an SUV – and a huge one at that. There’s a large amount of roll through sharper bends, and the steering isn’t exactly what we’d call direct.
However, that’s not what this car is about. This is a vehicle that has been designed to transport you from one destination to another in supreme comfort – regardless of whether your route involves a road or a muddy field.
How does it look?
There’s no denying the Range Rover has some serious presence – any car that size does. Whether it actually looks good or not is a matter of taste. To our eyes, it’s a properly good looking car, but some did criticise our test vehicle’s black wheels and contrasting black detailing as being a bit too brash. If you want to fit in with the footballer crowd, though, then this will definitely help.
What’s it like inside?
This is where the Range Rover really impresses. We searched all over for sub-par materials and scratchy plastic surfaces and couldn’t find any. Everything is upholstered in leather, or finished in dark wood. The cabin really is a wonderful place to be.
Our top-spec Autobiography model featured £3,265 optional Executive Class rear seats, meaning that this £109,805 (after options) gigantic SUV only sat four people. Practicality on this particular Range Rover wasn’t incredible, then, but it pays to remember that standard models do offer the traditional five-seat layout.
Those Executive Class seats also messed with boot space. Because they couldn’t fold flat, we had to make do with the normal 550-litre boot. While this offered plenty of room for suitcases and the like, the inability to fold the rear seats really killed our test vehicle’s practicality, as we found out when we tried (and failed) to load a bike into the back of the Range Rover.
What’s the spec like?
Before options were fitted, our top-spec Range Rover Autobiography cost £93,950. Standard equipment included heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking aid to name but a few.
After options, our Range Rover was bumped up to £109,805. This was down to features such as a £4,140 Meridian sound system, and those practicality-killing Executive Class rear seats.
While there is plenty of tech on board the Range Rover, it’s worth mentioning that its infotainment system is starting to show its age, and is nowhere near as good as those offered by the likes of BMW or Mercedes. However, the Range Rover is being updated in 2018, meaning this ageing unit will be replaced by the same system found in the Range Rover Velar.
The Range Rover really is an incredible car. Everything about it is gigantic – whether that be its size, its comfort, or its price tag. Sure, the on-board infotainment may be starting to show its age, and running costs won’t be amazing, but if you’re in the market for a luxurious SUV that can tackle a mountain, the Range Rover is tough to beat.