By Paul Gover.
Range Rover, game over.
Or is it?
The original Range Rover created the luxury SUV and the big British battleship has ruled the class ever since.
But, in 2023, can a Range Rover still compete, let alone lead?
Bentley has its Bentayga and Rolls-Royce has its Cullinan at the very top of luxury SUVs, Ferrari has its Purosangue and Lamborghini has the Urus for people who want a sporty edge.
For luxury at an affordable price, Genesis is doing great work out of South Korea.
Even Jaguar Land Rover has the Range Rover Sport, Velar and retro-styled Defender, to challenge the mighty ‘Rangie’.
The new Range Rover is only the fifth all-new model since the badge began, and the basics are familiar – all-wheel drive with proper off-road ability, a big boxy body, super-luxury interior, and a choice of powertrains including an old-school V8 and a plug-in hybrid. There is a long-wheelbase model and also an SV with the reclining rear seats and sumptuous finishing you would expect in a private jet.
A Range Rover has always been capable of serious off-roading, even if most owners really only need the ultimate grip while towing a couple of horses across a muddy field. But it was the Rangie that introduced the switchable off-road programs – from mud to sand and everything between – so common now in upscale SUVs.
The new-look Range Rover is instantly recognisable as the latest in the line, with the signature front-end and slab sides, and it’s the same inside.
The cabin is relatively plain by today’s standards, but there is a big infotainment screen, the latest technology and a truly lovely sound system.
Then again, what else would you expect when the price starts beyond $200,000 and can easily soar above $300,000.
It’s the same to drive, with a magic-carpet ride over any surface, at any sensible speed, and none of the intrusive tyre or wind noise that comes with lesser SUVs.
Riding in the back is as luxurious as anything short of a Rolls-Royce, with plenty of space and the all-round feel of a nicely-finished living room.
The performance is more than adequate, even with the basic engine, and it’s a beastie that can hustle anywhere if you feel the need and have the V8 in the engine room.
In future, the plug-in hybrid is going to be a smart pick – even in Australia – because any commuting job can be down in electric mode with combustion power for longer or quicker trips.
The only downside is the premium pricing and the ongoing question marks over reliability with anything from the Jaguar Land Rover family, more recently compounded by long delays in getting major components – as I’ve heard from owners – from the UK.
Despite the arrival of so many rivals from so many brands, the Range Rover is still the original and – for many people – the best.
Even so, the price is well out of reach of all but the richest SUV buyers and so I’d either go for a more affordable Defender for driving enjoyment and off-road ability of a Genesis GV for affordable luxury.
RANGE ROVER
Position: upper-luxury SUV
Price: from $232,265
Engine: 3-litre V6 petrol
Power: 324kW/620Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Plus: luxury, space, comfort
Minus: price, economy, brand reputation
THE TICK: still the one
Score: 9/10
