Overview

With a sumptuous interior, a plethora of tech features, and a six-figure price tag to match, the Range Rover, once a tough-as-nails workhorse, now stands as the crowning achievement of the Land Rover series. The Range Rover can handle trails and suburban byways while offering a comfortable ride, plushly upholstered seats, genuine wood trim, and touchscreen technology. It is still capable off-road—possibly even more so than the original. Parking one in your driveway is the vehicular equivalent of donning a Rolex Submariner or a pair of Manolo Blahniks because of the boxy external style, which is synonymous with money and status. Like most things, the Range Rover has trade-offs: its infotainment system is glitchy, its driving dynamics are awkward, and its fuel efficiency is subpar. However, there aren't many SUVs that can deliver both luxury and status as well as the Range Rover.

Engine, Transmission, Performance

There are four primary powertrain lines for the Range Rover, each with its advantages and disadvantages: Top-of-the-line vehicles have a loud supercharged V-8; a diesel V-6 is also available, as is a plug-in hybrid. Entry-level cars have a turbocharged inline-six supported by a small electric motor for a mild-hybrid system. A configurable all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard equipment in every Range Rover. A Range Rover with the normal inline-six hasn't been tested recently, but the diesel Range Rover we drove in 2016 had decent but relaxed acceleration times. On the other side, the V-8 offers startlingly rapid acceleration, and even the most ardent environmentalists must concede that it sounds fantastic. Sporty SV Autobiography models manage body roll remarkably well, but fore-aft pitch plagues the entire lineup. If you don't push it, it handles decently, but compared to high-performance SUVs like the BMW X5 M and Mercedes-AMG GLS63 for over-the-road agility, the Land Rover is downright clumsy. Given the Range Rover's exceptional off-road capabilities, we are ready to overlook some of its handling flaws.

Interior, Comfort, Cargo

Leather seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and wood veneer trim are standard on every Range Rover. The leather is extended to the headliner on the more costly models, the seats have a massaging feature, and the carpet that lines the cargo area can be replaced with attractively treated wood. Not to mention the bottle cooler, satin-brushed metal cupholders, and metal armrest adjustment knobs that The bottle cooler, satin-brushed metal cupholders, and metal armrest adjustment knobs are standard on top-of-the-line SV Autobiography versions. Although the 32 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row of the Range may look large, it is pretty low compared to other vehicles in its segment. Even so, when the back seats are occupied, it can fit 13 carry-on suitcases, which is more than adequate for most four- or five-person families.