If there’s one brand that stands synonymous with luxury and off-roading, it’s Land Rover; specifically, the Range Rover line-up. It’s quite surprising how many people confuse the Range Rover nameplate with the actual brand. We reckon Land Rover's better off calling the Range Rover a standalone brand than a model line—much like the Toyota Land Cruiser.
As you may know, Range Rovers have long been the go-to buy for the rich and influential. Perhaps the most common gripe with the motoring community is the Range Rover’s underused off-road capabilities—simply because owners prefer using it as a wafter on paved roads.
So why is the luxury barge back in the news again? Well, the all-new fifth-gen Range Rover has arrived, and we are excited, much like everyone else. Unsurprisingly, with the update, prices have gone up quite a bit. You can spec a 2023 Range Rover to be around $220,000, which puts it in the realm of super-luxury SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and even the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
We reckon the new 2023 Range Rover is perhaps the ultimate choice in the luxury SUV space. It’s relatively cheaper than its high-end adversaries and seems to have all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a full-size luxury offering.
2023 Range Rover Exterior Is Unmistakably Imposing Yet Elegant
In this day and age of massive grilles and sharp lines, the new Range Rover is all about minimalist design and elegant curves. Put the previous-gen Range Rover by its side, and you’ll find that it’s not much of an evolution but a revolution. The design is classy yet feels modern in many ways.
The front bumper is less cluttered, and the design is such that the radars, cameras, and sensors are all integrated into a thick horizontal bar, making the rest of the bumper clean. The headlamps are similar in shape to their predecessor but somehow feel modernized. Moving to the sides reveals the familiar short overhangs and massive wheels (up to 23-inches).
Following along the sides leads us to the 2023 Range Rover’s new design element, the window line. Unlike the previous Range, the part where the door and window meet is now one single unit, giving it a subtle but noticeably cleaner look.
Look closely, and the rest of the silhouette is unmistakably Range Rover: a design trait that can be traced back to the earlier generations. The rear is perhaps the most changed from the previous model. Slimmer vertical taillights are the highlight, which, when turned off, blend in as a piano black design element —tasteful and innovative.
How’s The Driving Experience In The 2023 Range Rover?
Powering the all-new Range Rover is a choice of two gasoline engines: a 395-horsepower straight-six called P400 and the P530 featuring a BMW-sourced 4.4L twin-turbo V8 putting out 525 horsepower. In the pipeline are other engine options, including a PHEV for 2023 and a fully-electric version due in 2024.
As for driving impressions, the Range Rover is the automotive equivalent of a floating vessel. But unlike its marine counterpart, the Range Rover isn’t as boat-like to drive. New for 2022 is the active anti-roll system that takes care of body roll and makes the 5,700-pound SUV feel tight around corners.
Of course, you’re hardly going to push your Range Rover for lap times, so on paved roads, the ride is as comfortable as any luxury offering in the segment or even above. Maneuvering a Range Rover has never been easier for city dwellers, thanks to four-wheel steering. Standard fitment on all 2022 models, this handy feature allows the driver to execute U-turns in this 5-meter-long SUV without having to shuffle around.
Step Inside The 2023 Range Rover To Experience Ultimate Luxury
Another department where the design team has knocked it out of the park is the interior. The new Range Rover has sumptuous interiors that ooze luxury. Everywhere you touch is of quality materials, and nothing feels cheap.
Inside, it’s a tech fiesta. The 13-inch curved touchscreen infotainment is new and offers haptic feedback. Like previous Range Rovers, the updated model is also available in a Long Wheelbase (LWB) version. Interior space is by the bucket load, and if that’s not enough, Land Rover offers you the choice of a 4-seat, 5-seat, and for the first time, a 7-seat configuration in the new 2022 Range Rover.
As for technology, the driver gets a 13.7-inch digital gauge display, while the rear passengers get dual 11.4-inch displays. For the audiophiles, the new Range offers a 35-speaker Meridian sound system that comes with speakers integrated into the headrests. This offers an immersive experience, and the available active noise cancelation feature allows for a quieter ride in an already well-refined SUV.
Overall, the 2023 Range Rover experience is unlike anything else in the market. Should you wander off the beaten path, this land barge will cosset you in such luxury that many of its competitors might feel jealous.
Source: Land Rover USA