The Land Rover Range Rover delivers exceptional on- and off-road capability, easily earning an 8 on the TCC scale thanks to their exceptional power, poise, and rough-road capability.
Yes, of course. The Range Rover’s four-wheel-drive system includes a proper two-speed transfer case with a locking center differential, while a rear locker is available. The Trail Response system features various drive modes for just about any sort of muck you’re likely (or unlikely) to encounter.
A new adaptive cruise-based system can lope the Range Rover along at low speeds while automatically adjusting drive modes based on anticipated terrain ahead, too. It may simply be too good at its job.
The standard air suspension offers as much as 11.6 inches of ground clearance for off-road treks through water as deep as three feet, and it can hike up on its tippy toes for 13.8 inches of clearance in off-road extraction mode.
The Range Rover’s astounding ability comes in spite of its decidedly city-oriented tires and big wheels, in part because of how flexible its air suspension and active anti roll-bars are.
How fast is the Land Rover Range Rover?
It’s quick in any form. The base 3.0-liter inline-6 (called P400) features a turbocharger for 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, good for a 5.8-second run to 60 mph. Quiet, smooth, and punchy, the base engine provides plenty of passing power, though its silence almost makes it feel slower than it is.
The step-up P530 version swaps in a BMW-built twin-turbo V-8 rated at 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It’s noticeably quicker, hitting 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, and it also has more personality. A new 606-hp version of this engine joins the lineup this year, presumably resulting in even more thrilling acceleration. There’s a delightful underhood snarl, but not one that interrupts the cabin. The V-8 is smooth, perhaps too much so. It takes a good stab at the throttle to really wake it up, though the 8-speed automatic transmission is a willing dance partner.
We’ve yet to drive the new plug-in hybrid, which offers a hefty 51 miles of estimated range on a full charge.
No matter what’s underhood, the Range Rover handles far better than its heft and size would otherwise suggest. The air suspension that helps give it such impressive off-road prowess also swallows up bumps with aplomb. Active anti-roll bars keep body lean to a minimum in curves, but the big Range Rover feels decidedly more isolated than its Range Rover Sport sibling. Pick that one if you want to dive into corners as though you’re in a high-riding sports car.
