Range Rover review - Engines, performance and drive

The Range Rover is renowned for its go-anywhere/do-anything capability, so it's important for it to have an engine that allows it to deliver. With an all-electric model on the way in 2024, the line-up already includes petrol or diesel power with mild-hybrid technology to help improve fuel economy and emissions, two plug-in hybrid versions and a 4.4-litre V8 petrol unit.

All engines deliver plenty of power, but it's the tremendous torque figures which help the Range Rover waft along with luxurious ease. Both the diesel and plug-in hybrid models provide up to 700Nm of pulling power, while the V8 powerplant generates a whopping 750Nm. We found the standard eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox smooth for the most part, although it can be a little hesitant to kick down on occasion.

Refinement remains superb, with little road or wind noise, while the standard air suspension is adept enough to filter out most imperfections in the road. Specifying bigger alloy wheels means the odd thump may be heard in the cabin, but it's all controlled and absorbed perfectly well. 

All-wheel steering helps manoeuvrability, particularly at slower speeds, and helps to give the Range Rover an impressive 10.95-metre turning circle – which is the same as most family hatchbacks. Once on the move, you can set the drive mode to the Dynamic setting if you want to firm up the suspension and test the Range Rover’s ability through tighter B-road corners. We can confirm it’s pretty good, although that’s not really the point of Land Rover’s flagship model – if you’re looking for a little more agility, the latest Range Rover Sport could provide the answer.

Those who are determined to take their £100k-plus Range Rover off-road will be pleased to hear that their luxury SUV comes equipped with Land Rover’s Terrain Response technology – a system that adjusts the car’s set-up to suit any particular driving conditions. However, you’ll have to find some really extreme ground before the Range Rover starts to feel overwhelmed.

25

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

While the Range Rover has always been a great off-road vehicle and offered more limo-like luxury with every new iteration, its straight-line speed is sometimes underplayed. For a 2.5-tonne SUV it’s seriously quick, with even the entry-level 296bhp D300 diesel model capable of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and hitting a top speed of 135mph.

Upgrading to the 345bhp D350 version buys you a 0-62mph sprint time of 6.1 seconds, plus a 145mph v-max, while the 395bhp P400 model (which also uses mild-hybrid technology) will hit 62mph in 5.8 seconds and 150mph flat out. 

The more efficient P440e and P510e plug-in hybrid models carry a little more weight (compared to their pure combustion-engined siblings) because of their 38.2kWh battery and electric motor, but will complete 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds and 5.5 seconds respectively. Interestingly, top speed in EV mode for both PHEV models is 87mph, so you can cruise along without using a drop of petrol.

If you need a luxury SUV and a supercar in your life, why not combine the two and order the Range Rover SV? Its 4.4-litre V8 petrol unit makes 523bhp and will rocket the flagship model from 0-62mph in a rather appropriate 4.6 seconds, before taking you on to a 162mph maximum.