A drive in the latest Range Rover: Is it still the luxury SUV par excellence?
The Range Rover is an iconic SUV famous for its blend of luxury and unstoppable off-road capability. But is the latest model still up to the task? We get behind the wheel to find out.
The latest full-size Range Rover builds on the success of the previous four generations. Thanks to its imposing design, luxury, and effortless performance, it has always been the go-to choice for the rich and famous, and the latest model has been improved in pretty much every area.
The exterior design will be familiar to all Range Rover fans out there. While it hasn't changed dramatically compared to its predecessor, some subtle improvements make it look even more modern and desirable. Compared to the old car, it looks smoother and sleeker, thanks in part to small details such as the window seals, which are hidden behind the door and are not exposed, and the taillights, which remain hidden in narrow black bezels until they are illuminated.
Inside, you will be greeted by lots of leather and fine wood paneling. The build quality might not quite match German alternatives like the Audi Q7, but there's something about the Range Rover that makes it a very special place to sit in. Speaking of sitting: You sink into the sumptuous front seats like in your favorite armchair at home.
The interior is pretty tidy and minimalist, and it has been decluttered even further in 2024 by removing the physical buttons for the air conditioning and driving mode. That makes the interior look pretty cool, but the fact that everything is controlled via the 13.1-inch touchscreen is pretty annoying, as it's pretty sluggish and awkward to use.
The rear passengers will not be bothered by this, because they will be pampered with the same luxury as the passengers in the front. There's plenty of legroom, and the seats can be adjusted almost to a reclining position, so you can take a nap on the go. You can even order screens for both rear passengers to keep them entertained on long journeys with video streaming services.
During the journey, it quickly becomes clear that the Range Rover is primarily trimmed for comfort. As soon as you close the door, you're shielded from any disturbing noises outside, and even at highway speeds, it's whisper-quiet. The air suspension compensates fantastically for bumps in the road, even if it cheats its way through quite a bit on a country road if you try to hit it hard. A BMW X7 is a more fun SUV, but if you want a car that you can glide home in a relaxed way, then this is the car for it.
For such a large car, the Range Rover is not even difficult to drive. Thanks to the large windows, you have excellent all-round visibility, and thanks to the four-wheel steering, the turning circle is almost as tight as in some hatchbacks. It's also extremely off-road, just like all the other Range Rovers that came before. The vast majority of owners will never use 10% of this vehicle's off-the-beaten-path capabilities, but it's good to know that a crowded parking lot isn't a challenge either.
With a list price that starts at around 140,000 euros and can easily be driven above the 200,000 euro mark with appropriate extras, the Range Rover is an expensive way of getting around, but it remains one of the most luxurious and capable SUVs you can buy. A car can't really be much more desirable.