Performance

Officially there’s a choice of 3 engines in the Range Rover, but in real life, there is no choice to be made – you have to get the 3.6 TDV8 Turbodiesel. Its performance is indecently quick, it is incredibly smooth and refined, and will save you thousands over the petrol version when it’s time to sell. Other options would be the 4.4V8 petrol, although due to lack of demand it’s special order only now, and the muscular but thirsty Supercharged 4.2 from the Jaguar range.

Ride & Handling

This isn’t a 4x4, it’s more like a limo on stilts. The ride is wonderfully cosseting, simply floating over bumps. With light, accurate steering, it takes the corners well too, but while it reduces body roll, this is no sports car, and was never intended to be. Off Road talents are well beyond what you’d expect from such a large car too, although most owners will never experience the fantastic breadth of capability that Land Rover has engineered into the car.

Reliability

This was one of the previous Range Rovers major failings, and has thankfully been addressed here. Build quality feels as solid as the best, and with BMW engineering in the original design, so it should be. Land Rover has made huge advances in recent years, and can now hold its head high.

Specifications

Even the most basic HSE spec is luxurious, with most of the executive toys you’d expect, from piped leather to electric seats, the only major omission is Satellite Navigation, something that is corrected on the popular Vogue model. The Vogue SE gets every toy imaginable such as rear screens in the headrests, DVD player etc, and can be personalised even further with the Autobiography range, but don’t expect this money to come back to you at resale. The Supercharged version gets its own bespoke interior.

Living with the Car

The Range Rover is The definitive luxury 4x4, and feels it. From the superb commanding driving position, to the beautifully crafted interior, there is nothing else that comes close to the appeal of this car. Branded the ‘best luxury car in the world’ by Autocar magazine, inside one of these is a fantastic place to spend time, being wafted to your destination in style.

Summary

The Range Rover has always been an iconic car, and the latest model moves the luxury 4x4 game on still further. Not just an off roader, but a car that also competes on its own terms and wins against the best executive saloons and estates. Pick of the bunch is the TDV8 Vogue, a stunning all rounder, nothing else comes close.