Range Rover Review 2024

The original Range Rover helped start the trend for luxury SUVs, and this latest fifth-generation model is the most archetypal expression of that genre. There may be far more competition today, from the Bentley Bentayga to the vast Mercedes-Benz GLS, but the Range Rover is still hard to beat.

In fact, as our Range Rover review will show, it has more rivals than simply other luxury SUVs. Such is its combination of space, refinement and ability, it presents itself as a compelling alternative to premium saloons such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or another German offering, the BMW 7 Series.

The new, fifth-generation Range Rover is bigger than ever before, and allows it to be specified in long-wheelbase format. For the first time ever, there is also the option of a seven-seat layout, bringing three rows of chairs to the Range Rover’s roomy cabin.

Alternatively, you can choose a four-seat setup for the ultimate in chauffeur-driven luxury.

The interior is influenced by the third-generation model, released in 2001. The result is a clean and simple layout, made from high-quality materials, but without an overload of infotainment displays.

A 13.1-inch multimedia touchscreen is supported by a digital instrument panel, along with impressive Meridian sound systems that incorporate noise-cancelling technology.

Being packed with technology, plus luxury fittings such as 20-way electrically adjustable seats, means the Range Rover has a considerable kerbweight. Even the smallest version weighs 2500kg, which has an obvious effect on how it stops and handles.

Then again, you get standard air suspension, active anti-roll bars and all-wheel steering, all of which endow the Range Rover with a surprising degree of agility. Off-road, Land Rover has ensured the latest Range Rover remains just as capable as its predecessors.

Buyers are spoilt for choice when it comes to powertrains, thanks to the seven different engines on offer. This includes three petrol units, two diesels and two plug-in hybrids. A full-electric model will join the range in late 2023.

Despite this choice, most buyers will be more than happy with one of the diesels. They are somewhat unfashionable now, but the D300 and D350 provide ample power and performance, along with genuine refinement.

The plug-in hybrid versions are attractive options, too, with the potential for official fuel economy of up to 386mpg, plus the ability to cover 74 miles on battery power alone.

They do increase the price tag, but everything is relative in the realm of an SUV that can cost up to £192,000 before you start adding options.

In fact, price is the only area where the Range Rover becomes hard to justify. While the standard spec list is lengthy, the one for options is even longer.

Customising and personalising a Range Rover to your exact taste sounds like an attractive option, but it can make the price tag truly stratospheric.

Nonetheless, a fully loaded Range Rover is still more affordable than a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, yet it comes close to matching that car’s level of opulence and grandeur.

With more choice than ever before, the fifth-generation Range Rover stands as a genuine masterclass in the luxury SUV world.

Land Rover has come close to defying the laws of physics with the latest Range Rover, such is the ability it demonstrates on the road. Clearly, it is not a sports car, but it has far more agility than seems possible for an SUV weighing more than 2500kg.

Helping its cause is standard all-wheel steering. At low speeds, this means the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the fronts, making it easier to navigate tight spaces.

Go faster and all the wheels turn the same way, boosting stability. Combine this with steering that is more accurate and precise than before, and the Range Rover can be hustled along with pace and grace.

Standard adaptive air suspension, combined with active anti-roll bars, keeps body roll well contained. But it is the Range Rover’s ride comfort that truly wows.

Most road imperfections seem to simply disappear, although versions on the largest 23-inch alloy wheels do transmit some bumps back into the cabin. In reality, there are very few vehicles as comfortable and effortless to drive as this one. 

When it comes to heading off-road, the Range Rover has far more capability than most owners will ever need. There is up to 295mm of ground clearance – more than a Land Rover Defender – plus a wading depth of 900mm.

The low-range gearbox ensures getting stuck will be particularly hard to do.

There is no shortage of choice when it comes to powertrains for the Range Rover, with seven different engines to pick from.

The line-up consists of two diesels, three petrols and two versions of the plug-in hybrid. An all-electric model is due soon, too.

Regardless of the engine, every Range Rover currently comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This is combined with all-wheel drive, plus a low-range transfer case.

Both the diesels are turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines. The D300 serves up 300PS, and accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, while the 350PS D350 drops this time to 6.1 seconds.

A healthy dose of torque makes both versions feel quick on the road, and there is little diesel rattle to be heard.

The trio of petrol engines consists of a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder, along with two flavours of 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8.

Calling the P400 six-cylinder engine an ‘entry-level’ option is a little unfair, given it comes with 400PS and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds.

The P530 4.4-litre V8, with its 530PS output, ratchets up the power and drops the 0-62mph time down to 4.6 seconds. Offered only in SV trim, the P615 engine with 615PS can accelerate from 0-62mph in a mere 4.5 seconds. That’s serious performance for an SUV weighing more than 2500kg.

Both of the plug-in hybrid options use the turbocharged 3.0-litre cylinder petrol engine as a starting point, combined with an electric motor.

There’s a choice between 460PS or 550PS outputs, and the most powerful powertrain delivers a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds.

When tested by the Euro NCAP safety organisation, the Range Rover was awarded its maximum five-star rating. This included a score of 84% for protecting adult occupants, along with 87% for child protection.

The level of standard safety equipment in the Range Rover is as extensive as you might expect. There is automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition with an adaptive speed limiter.

Should you desire the most luxurious way to tow a caravan, there are certainly few better options than a Range Rover. An electrically deployable tow bar is available as an official option across the range.

Almost every version of the Range Rover is able to haul braked trailers and caravans weighing up to 3500kg. The P460e and P550e plug-in hybrids have a slightly reduced 3000kg capacity.

Measuring 5052mm long in standard-wheelbase form, or 5252mm in the long-wheelbase layout, the Range Rover is a big vehicle. Accordingly, the level of interior space is more than generous.

Room in the front of the Range Rover is vast, aided by seats that move electrically in 20 different ways – even on the entry-level model.

Moving up the trim levels adds even more adjustment, plus a hot stone massage function. Yes, really.

Just how accommodating the rear of the Range Rover can be depends on your choice of wheelbase and seating layout. In standard wheelbase five-seat form, there is plenty of legroom for adults, along with the ability to fit three people across the rear bench.

Opt for the long-wheelbase version and the Range Rover can be specified in truly luxurious four-seat format. This is combined with a full-length centre console, plus an impressive Club Table that rises electrically.

The long-wheelbase Range Rover can be specified with three rows of seats, offering the ability to carry seven people. Life in the third row is not quite as comfortable as for those further forward, but the seats can certainly be used by adults on short journeys.

Standard-wheelbase five-seat models boast a boot capacity of 818 litres with the rear seats in place. The Range Rover’s traditional split tailgate opens electrically, but you’ll need to stretch to reach things at the back of the boot.

A luxurious interior is one of the Range Rover’s main attractions, with the latest model having improved quality over the impressive fourth-generation car. The cabin design is neat and unfussy, and complemented by high-quality materials.

Helping the Range Rover take on vehicles such as the Bentley Bentayga is a near-endless level of customisation. This includes the choice of semi- and near-aniline leather upholstery, along with a variety of leather-free alternatives.

Demonstrating just how much choice is on offer, the Range Rover comes with a selection of nearly 20 interior trim finishes, and 15 different headliner types.

The Range Rover uses the Pivi Pro infotainment system, also seen in numerous other Jaguar Land Rover products.

In this setting, there is a central 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, which offers a sharp resolution and crisp graphics. It responds fairly well to inputs, and has a sensible and easy-to-use layout.

This is fortunate, because the Range Rover has no real buttons for infotainment, save for some fiddly touch-sensitive ones on the steering wheel.

Mercifully, unlike some other luxury SUVs, the Range Rover still has physical dials to operate the climate control. It means there is no need to navigate multiple screen-based menus simply to change the cabin temperature. 

All Range Rover models come equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charging and Amazon Alexa voice integration. The latter can even allow the Range Rover to control smart devices in your home.

A digital instrument display is standard, offering a number of different customisable layouts. Higher-spec models come with a head-up display as well.

All of the Meridian audio systems fitted to the Range Rover deliver truly impressive sound quality.

The Range Rover is offered with two wheelbases, four trim levels and seven different engines to pick from.

Accordingly, the price list spans a great number of models, starting with the £104,000 Range Rover SE D300 diesel in short-wheelbase form. This is far costlier than the cheapest BMW X7, at around £86,000, but it undercuts the £108,000 entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLS.

At the top of the tree is the long-wheelbase Range Rover SV with the P615 petrol engine, priced from just under £192,000. This is similar to what is required for a Bentley Bentayga EWB, although still cheaper than a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

When it comes to a luxury SUV like the Range Rover, running costs may pale in comparison to the list price. However, choosing certain engines can certainly reduce your outgoings on fuel and tax.

The D300 and D350 diesel mild hybrid engines have the potential to be surprisingly economical, despite the Range Rover’s size. In D300 form, it can average up to 36.8mpg, while the more powerful D350 version can return 36.9mpg on the official WLTP combined fuel economy cycle.

Thanks to the same mild hybrid technology, even petrol-powered Range Rover models manage vaguely respectable fuel consumption. Naturally, the six-cylinder P400 engine will be the best for economy, averaging 29.0mpg.

Opt for one of the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engines, and the numbers will drop. The P530 engine can average up to 24.3mpg, with the seriously quick P615 reducing this only slightly to 24.1mpg.

For maximum fuel economy, one of the Range Rover’s plug-in hybrid options certainly delivers the most impressive numbers on paper. Picking the P460e means an official average of 386mpg, along with an all-electric range of almost 74 miles.

The more powerful P550e plug-in hybrid returns a slightly lower average of 366.8mpg.

Such numbers will require lots of shorter journeys that start with the Range Rover’s batteries fully charged. To see just how economical the Range Rover is on the road, be sure to read our Real MPG submissions.

The Range Rover comes with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, which is average for the luxury SUV class.

A longer warranty would certainly help, given Land Rover’s poor showing in our Honest John Satisfaction Index.

In keeping with its badge, and its price tag, the Range Rover is suitably well equipped across all trim levels. The options list is extensive, and potentially ruinous, with a near-unlimited level of personalisation available.

The Range Rover SE is the starting point in the line-up, but this is clearly not a bargain-basement version. Standard equipment includes 21-inch alloy wheels, Pixel LED headlights, LED tail lights, flush door handles, soft-close doors and a powered, gesture-controlled tailgate.

Electronic air suspension is fitted, along with all-wheel steering, hill descent control and an open differential with torque vectoring.

There is also a 3D surround-view camera, lane keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition with an active speed limiter.

The interior is finished in Ebony perforated Windsor leather, with 20-way adjustable heated front seats. An extended leather package is combined with Natural Brown Walnut veneer trim. There is also three-zone climate control, a 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system and a Meridian sound system.

DAB radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charging and an interactive digital instrument display are all there as well.

Moving up to the Range Rover HSE upgrades the headlights to digital LED items, which feature signature daytime running lights and image projection. A set of 22-inch alloy wheels is fitted, plus a ClearSight digital interior mirror and a cabin air purification system.

Ebony perforated Semi-Aniline leather is used for the upholstery, with the front seats upgraded to heated and ventilated items.

Even the seat belt buckles are illuminated. Parking assist, a head-up display and a Meridian 3D sound system are found inside, too.

The Range Rover Autobiography is an indulgent option, coming with 22-inch diamond turned alloy wheels, an Autobiography exterior package, laminated side glass, a solar attenuating windscreen and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Autobiography trim also means an automatically folding load cover, four-zone climate control and electric sunblinds for the rear windows.

The front seats have 24-way adjustment, along with a massage function, while the rear seats are Executive Class versions. There is also a host of SV Bespoke Brown Walnut veneer and a Meridian Signature sound system.   

Topping the line-up is the opulent Range Rover SV model. This comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, an exclusive SV front bumper and grille, SV-branded puddle lights and an SV white ceramic exterior badge with a black SV roundel.

There are illuminated aluminium tread plates with the SV script, a special SV key fob and even SV-exclusive speaker grille designs.

The front seats benefit from a hot stone massage function, with the upholstery finished in SV Semi-Aniline leather. Gloss white ceramic trim is used for the controls, while the headlining is Ebony leather.