The Land Rover Range Rover is now in its fourth generation. Most significantly, Land Rover shaved an incredible 700 pounds from its curb weight during the 2013 redesign, and the current Range Rover weighs only 4,850 pounds. This was achieved thanks to copious use of aluminum, which now makes up much of the unibody as well as both front and rear subframes.
Five Range Rover models are offered: base, HSE, Supercharged, Autobiography and SVAutobiography. Base and HSE models are powered by a supercharged 3.0L V6 engine capable of 340 horsepower. In the Supercharged trimmed Range Rover, a supercharged 5.0L V8 is utilized. The V8 makes 510 horsepower -- enough to make the Range Rover startlingly quick. The SVAutobiography takes things a step further with a 550 hp version of the same engine. Maximum speed on models so equipped is 155 mph. A turbocharged 3.0L V6 diesel makes an excellent compromise between power and efficiency. It makes 254 horsepower but an intense 440 lb-feet of torque. The highway fuel economy is estimated at 29 mpg.
All Range Rovers come with an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, which features steering wheel paddles for complete driver control.
All Range Rovers are equipped with Terrain Response 2 Auto, Land Rover's next-generation system of off-road control. The system provides enhanced capability across every terrain and automatically adapts to driving conditions and road surfaces. Additionally, Range Rovers feature a permanent 4-wheel drive system that splits torque 50/50 front to rear, along with a 2-speed transfer case for high and low ranges.
Range Rovers include 19-inch alloy wheels, auto-leveling xenon headlights, power-folding and heated exterior mirrors, heated and rain-sensing wipers as standard equipment. Front and rear parking sensors with display, grained leather in one of three colors, a choice of veneer appliques, power seating with heated front seats, a 380-watt Meridian sound system, 3-zone climate control, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, hard disk navigation on an 8-inch touchscreen and satellite and HD radio are also included.
Upgrading to the HSE adds 20-inch wheels, several more interior leather choices, soft-close doors and heated rear seats. Supercharged models are similarly equipped but feature 21-inch wheels, in addition to the more powerful engine. Finally, the Autobiography comes with all the bells and whistles, including adaptive xenon headlights, 17 interior leather options, perforated climate-controlled front seats that also feature multi-mode massage functionality, power reclining rear bench seat, a leather headliner, 4-zone climate control, programmable ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor, an even more powerful Meridian audio system and a rear seat entertainment with twin touchscreen displays. Autobiography, Supercharged and HSE Range Rovers are all available in long-wheelbase versions, which adds 7.3 inches to rear seat legroom.
Options allow for even more exclusivity in the Range Rover. The options list offers massaging front seats, front console coolers, surround cameras and full-size panoramic roofs.
Finally, safety is paramount on the Range Rover, and it comes loaded with a full slate of airbags and driving aids such as traction and stability control, cornering braking control and roll control.
All-aluminum Body Structure
Available Supercharged V8 Power
Inspired Handling Characteristics
Fantastic Off-road Capabilities
Efficient Diesel Engine Available
The biggest change for 2017 is the addition of a new trim level the 'SVAutobiography'. Sitting atop the Range Rover hierarchy, the SVAutobiography features an incredibly powerful supercharged V8 and Brembo brakes. Other additions include revised, sportier suspension and unique interior and exterior styling cues. The rest of the lineup gets an improved navigation system as well as a tow assist function that will aid in reversing the SUV while a trailer is hooked up. Other new features include a driver fatigue monitoring system, automatic emergency braking and an intelligent speed limiter.
The fourth-generation Range Rover retains everything customers loved about the previous model, and Land Rover has improved upon all of it. The result is a massively capable on- or off-road luxury SUV with loads of power, smart handling, extensive use of technology and more creature comforts than you can imagine. It rivals anything produced by Mercedes or Porsche, and in fact now weighs less than either the Cayenne Turbo or GL450, thanks to extensive use of aluminum. The result is the most refined Range Rover yet.
