Road test | Land Rover Range Rover: off-road limo

The story began in June 1970. Known at the time for its highly efficient, yet raw and raw fighters, Land Rover launched its very first Range Rover Classic. A work intended to polish the image of the British manufacturer, the model became the first vehicle exhibited at the Louvre the following year for its “exemplary work of industrial design”. It laid the foundation for a lineage that would redefine the role of the SUV. We experienced its latest and fifth generation.

Design

Much like the Porsche 911 has tried to do since its infancy, the Range Rover progresses stylistically on tiptoe, trying to slow down time, but not too much at the same time. This new cuvée bears witness to a balanced approach aimed at a conquered audience by modernizing its facade by means of a trapezoidal grille with cylindrical motifs that is less imposing and still just as tall. It intertwines with the headlights and gives stature to the SUV. On the side, we first review the absentees: the handles only appearing when unlocking as well as the pillars melted into the imposing glass surface. The extraordinary amplitude of the rear doors of the long-wheelbase livery visually accentuates the length of the object and encourages parallels with the large sedans. The most interesting part of the design nevertheless remains the rear, which recalls precisely, by its shape, the bow of a Riva boat that one could have crossed on the Côte d’Azur in the 1960s.

On board

The interior composition is again shaped by very contemporary partitions. Once the ground clearance has been lowered by means of a pneumatic system, we settle into extremely cozy and customizable furniture. Up front, the view over the long hood is unobstructed, courtesy of a fairly high driving position. We literally lower our eyes to the dashboard, all horizontal and well cared for in its presentation, taking care not to expose the nozzles. Perfumed leathers are everywhere and seek, by means of an adjustment of irreproachable quality, to adorn without pouring into the garish. The metal parts and the wooden moldings take care of the variations. Its format helping, this Range Rover is obviously extremely spacious. The rear seats also have more legroom than in the front. The extra row behind these is there in case of an emergency: headroom is limited there.

Under the hood

While waiting for the electric version promised for 2024, two 3L inline six-cylinders are offered here, one mild hybrid and the other plug-in hybrid having a range of 88 km, we are told. The long-wheelbase variant we tested was powered by a BMW-sourced 4.4L twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the Bavarian brand, Land Rover engineers have favored an authentic soundtrack devoid of synthesized artifice, to the delight of our ears. The discreet guttural timbre accompanies honeyed manners, but rather biting at the slightest summons. The adjustment of the accelerator pedal is however not always in phase with this observation, it which becomes abnormally nervous in Dynamic mode. Never mind, its thirst turned out to be rather contained for the displacement in winter conditions at 13 L/100 km, it’s much better than the 5 L V8 it replaces.

Behind the wheel

Boasting a drag coefficient comparable to that of an Ariya, Nissan’s electric SUV, this Range Rover first impresses the driver with the immense silence that reigns there. This peace of mind is also fueled by the sublime work of the air springs, constantly on the lookout to adjust to the surfaces. The rhythm of their interventions is exceptional, making the SUV worthy of being compared to many luxury sedans. They also support necessary off-road capability by increasing ground clearance by up to an additional 13 cm. Rear steering also does a great job when maneuvering in tight spaces, limiting its turning radius to 12m, barely 40cm more than a Honda Civic Si. We noted the predictability of its behavior in these conditions, but the steering remains devoid of feeling, it was to be expected.

Embedded technologies

The SUV receives a multimedia system made up of fully digital instrumentation and a large, floating-looking touchscreen. Named Pivi Pro, it remains on the whole rather intuitive and executes commands quickly. The presentation enhances the luxurious look of the cabin in addition to being readable. On the instrument panel, the screen placed in front of the steering wheel is just as readable, but seems more jerky when changing menus and when configuring it. The controls placed on the steering wheel are not always intelligible, which makes it necessary to take the time to manipulate them before taking to the road to properly assimilate the functions. Note also the presence of a myriad of cameras allowing, by juxtaposition of images, to have a surprisingly effective 3D point of view during parking maneuvers. On the auditory side, the mid-range Meridian 3D system proved to be acceptable, without really shining by its ability to bring together high and low frequencies.

The verdict

The Range Rover quickly became an ambassador of the British royal family after its birth. We cannot therefore deny its immense cultural resonance, beyond obviously the opulent image it projects, which many consider unreasonable. It is also the lung of the Jaguar Land Rover group, which ensures its survival through its success. This new generation therefore has an immense weight to bear, but takes up the challenge with the necessary grace. It does not reinvent anything, but exploits its strengths wonderfully in a context where the competition is launching relentless attacks. It must be admitted, however, that the anachronistic aspect of the V8 does not help it, despite its convincing, even attractive performance. The six-cylinder is more appropriate, while waiting for the electric, which could make it even better.