Introduction

The Land Rover Range Rover is an enduring icon of timeless style, Old World elegance, and go-anywhere capability. 

The 2020 Range Rover looks the same as it has through most of this past decade, but under the hood changes are afoot. Most significant among these is a new plug-in-hybrid model, dubbed P400e. There's also a new mild-hybrid 6-cylinder engine to replace the old base V-6. Aside from powertrain updates, Land Rover has revealed a limited-edition Range Rover Fifty model; some 1,970 units will be built in commemoration of the model's golden anniversary of uninterrupted production. 

Back to the engines for a moment: the base engine in the 2020 Range Rover is now the aforementioned 6-cylinder with mild-hybrid tech. It makes either 355 horsepower in P360 trim or 395 horsepower in P400 trim. There's a 48-volt starter/generator for extended stop/start performance in an effort to improve fuel efficiency. 

The new P400e ditches the six for a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and electric motor. This plug-in hybrid makes a combined 398 horsepower and has 31 miles of all-electric driving range. Another fuel-saving option is the available 3.0-liter turbodiesel, which offers 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. 

Remaining at the top of the totem pole is the 5.0-liter V-8. This supercharged engine checks in at 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, assuring itself the top spot in the Range Rover hierarchy. Upgrading to the SVAutobiography brings a bump in power to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft, but mysteriously enough the 0-60 mph time remains the same as the low-output version. 

Gas mileage for all these different engines varies significantly. The base engine returns 17 mpg city, 23 highway, 19 combined. The V-8 isn't much worse, getting 16/21/18 mpg in its thriftiest form and just 13/19/15 mpg in its worst. The turbodiesel is rated at 22/28/24 mpg, while the plug-in hybrid is good for 42 mpg combined. 

Active-safety features are found in good measure on the Range Rover. Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and parking sensors. Blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control come on an HSE or better trim. Other features that are optional on most trims include a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and active park assist. 

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS have tested a Range Rover for crashworthiness. 

Lineup

All prices include any applicable destination charges. 

The base Range Rover begins at $92,195. Standard features include 19-inch wheels, a terrain response management system, leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, 16-way heated front seats, and a power tailgate. A pair of 10.0-inch touchscreens are also included, with one controlling infotainment and the other the tri-zone climate system. 

Moving into the $97,445 HSE brings softer leather, heated rear seats, and a surround-view camera system. The long-wheelbase model is available here; prices for that stretched version start at $111,245. 

The Autobiography justifies its $145,095 price tag with semi-aniline leather, an executive seating package, and a premium 1,700-watt Meridian sound system. The V-8 is the only engine choice at this point. The limited-edition Fifty anniversary package is only available on this trim and adds a slew of bespoke cosmetic touches. The long-wheelbase version has a starting price of $151,595. 

The $179,795 SVAutobiography stands out by its high-output V-8, 24-way heated and cooled and massaging seats, quilted leather, and performance suspension tuning. 

Walkaround

Some things never go out of style, and the Range Rover is one of them. The basic shape has been employed since 1970, and for good reason-there's hardly a bad line to be found anywhere on the Range Rover. Highlights of the design include the upright windshield, long and flat hood, and the lack of busy design elements along the flanks. 

Interior

Many superlatives come to mind when considering the Range Rover interior. Low-key, opulent, and elegant are all terms that convey the tony atmosphere curated in the cabin. Fine leather, real wood, and hefty metal trim are all abundant, and the overall design is sleek and modern without being overly trendy. Build quality and fit and finish are top-notch. 

Land Rover has opted to integrate nearly all comfort and convenience functions into two 10.0-inch screens. The dual-setup works better than some may anticipate, with logical controls and straightforward menus. The system is quick to respond to inputs and all major controls are easy to find. The screens also look pretty slick, too. 

Despite its full-size dimensions, there's only seating for five people in the Range Rover. Front passengers might have it best, enjoying wide, cosseting seats that are just about perfect. For the utmost in comfort, there are optional front seats that heat, cool, and even massage your backside. 

The back seat is no less accommodating. Outboard passengers enjoy power recline adjustment, and here too there's the option to upgrade to heated, cooled, and massaged seats.The available long-wheelbase model uses its extra length all to the advantage of rear passengers and provides limo-like rear leg room. 

If that's not enough, an optional Executive Seating Package is available on the Autobiography that adds multi-way power adjustable rear seats, eight-way headrest adjustment, and a smartphone app to take control of the car's climate control. 

Standard-length models offer 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The executive seating reduces luggage space to 24.5 cubic feet. The long-wheelbase model has the most space, with a full 75 cubic feet once the rear seats are folded down. A lowering mode cues the air suspension to graciously lower the Range Rover in an effort to reduce the otherwise high load height. 

Driving Impression

All Range Rovers ride as good as they look. A cushioning ride absorbs bumps without ever being floaty, and the air suspension offers plenty of suspension travel for those times the road-or trail-is particularly rutty. 

Handling isn't quite so praiseworthy, but it does tackle corners with more aplomb than some other full-size SUVs. Those models wouldn't cost quite so much, though, and the top-tier stuff that competes against this Land Rover wouldn't have a difficult time showing it up on curvy roads. 

Where the Range Rover is in its element is off-road. This is a vehicle designed with the express intention to tackle remote backcountry without issue, and it does so with gusto. Up to six off-road modes calibrate the throttle, steering, suspension, and other parameters for a particular terrain. Trail-speed cruise control and hill descent control are among the trail-rated options. 

Of the engines, the new plug-in hybrid is an excellent way to reduce fuel costs without sacrificing the refinement expected of the Range Rover. It operates without fuss, and the 31 miles of all-electric driving is perfect for local trips. The silence of all-electric operation is also quite apropos for such a dignified SUV. 

That said, the V-8 truly fits the character of the Range Rover. This engine is overkill, of course, but that's the point-it's indulgent, with a wonderful throaty exhaust note and all the power anyone will ever need at the flick of their right foot. For those who can afford it, any of the other options might feel like settling. 

Summary

The Land Rover Range Rover has long defined luxury SUVs. It's still one of the best, for the simple reason it does everything-luxury features, off-road chops, on-road performance-incredibly well. Our choice would be an HSE if budget was a concern, but otherwise head straight for the Autobiography. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.