The Range Rover. The very name evokes images of opulent luxury, go-anywhere capability, and a certain British je ne sais quoi. It’s a vehicle often associated with wealth and status, sometimes even drawing playful jabs for its owners seemingly prioritizing Beverly Hills boulevards over actual off-road trails. But spend just a short time behind the wheel of the 2023 Range Rover, and you’ll quickly understand the enduring appeal.
My test drive of this latest Range Rover iteration was particularly insightful, as I approached it not just as a car reviewer, but also as a parent. With a toddler recently joining our family, my bandwidth for anything else, including my older son, has been stretched thin. I envisioned some quality father-son time in a vehicle that promised a different experience from my usual, more compact sedan. My son, accustomed to highway drives in my older BMW 3 Series, was in for a significant upgrade. The moment we settled into the Range Rover’s cabin as dusk fell, the ambient lighting gently illuminating the interior, its exceptional quietness and refinement worked its magic. He was asleep within minutes.
Nico DeMattia
The subsequent two-hour drive home was akin to a first-class flight on land. The gentle hum of wind and the distant V8 rumble were the only companions in a cabin that felt like a sanctuary of calm. It was, without exaggeration, one of the most relaxing and luxurious drives I’ve experienced, solidifying my understanding of why Range Rovers hold such a coveted place in the automotive landscape.
| 2023 Range Rover Specs |
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| Base Price (SE P530 Long Wheelbase Seven-Seat as-tested) |
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Range Rover: Delving into the Details
Beyond just a name change, with Land Rover now becoming a brand umbrella encompassing Range Rover and Defender, the 2023 Range Rover P530 introduces a significant, and for some purists, controversial change under the hood: a German engine. Departing from the legacy Jaguar 5.0-liter supercharged V8, this new model embraces a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 sourced from BMW. Mirroring its BMW counterparts utilizing this powerplant, it delivers a robust 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, seamlessly managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rest assured, however, that this hasn’t diluted its Range Rover DNA. Power is still channeled to all four wheels via a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, complete with electronic locking differentials at the center and rear, ensuring its renowned capability remains intact.
Nico DeMattia
Visually, distinguishing the 2023 model from its predecessor requires a keen eye. Land Rover has adopted an evolutionary design philosophy, and the result is undeniably successful. It maintains the instantly recognizable silhouette of the quintessential Range Rover while subtly refining its lines for a more contemporary and sophisticated appearance. If your preference leans towards overtly flashy SUVs, the Range Rover’s understated elegance might not be your ideal match. However, its subtle sophistication is precisely where its appeal lies. While the Batumi Gold paint of my test vehicle wasn’t my personal favorite, the optional 23-inch SV Bespoke wheels did inject a welcome dose of visual flair.
Similarly, the Caraway interior color wasn’t entirely to my taste. The combination of the muted gold exterior with the tan interior gave the test car a somewhat dated, “Miami retiree” vibe. That being said, criticisms of the interior are few and far between. The Range Rover’s cabin is a masterclass in luxury. The materials are exceptionally rich to the touch, the seats are largely superb (more on a minor point later), and the genuine wood trim adds a touch of classic elegance. Practicality is also surprisingly well addressed for a luxury vehicle. The doors open remarkably wide, approaching 90 degrees, facilitating easier ingress and egress, especially beneficial for car seat installation. The rear seats offer both sliding and reclining functionality, and accessing the third row is remarkably straightforward thanks to clearly marked seat controls. Each time I stepped into the Range Rover, the experience was akin to entering a first-class cabin, precisely the sensation you desire in such a premium and costly SUV.
Nico DeMattia
Behind the Wheel of the Range Rover P530: Driving Dynamics
Admittedly, the initial engine start-up felt a touch unconventional, knowing a BMW powerplant resided beneath the hood. However, any such thoughts dissipated the moment I began driving. Pressing the accelerator unleashes a tidal wave of torque that’s genuinely grin-inducing. The front end lifts slightly, the rear squats in response, and the Range Rover surges forward with the effortless acceleration of a private jet taking flight. While aluminum paddle shifters are present behind the steering wheel, they serve more of an aesthetic purpose than a functional one. There’s little need to manually intervene, as the eight-speed automatic transmission is impeccably calibrated, always selecting the right gear at the right time. Furthermore, the Range Rover’s character isn’t geared towards sporty driving dynamics in a way that would necessitate manual gear changes. While the BMW-sourced powertrain might deviate from the traditional British engine lineage, the performance results are undeniably impressive.
As anticipated, the Range Rover delivers a ride quality that’s synonymous with luxury, effortlessly gliding over road imperfections thanks to its adaptive air suspension. Even with the substantial 23-inch wheels fitted to the test car, which did introduce a hint of firmness over sharper bumps, the overall ride remained predominantly excellent. This exceptional smoothness, combined with the remarkably hushed cabin, creates a driving experience that rivals vehicles bearing Rolls-Royce or Bentley badges in terms of serenity.
Nico DeMattia
What’s even more surprising is the Range Rover’s agility on the road. The steering is perfectly weighted for a luxury SUV of this size, providing just the right amount of feedback to keep the driver connected to the road. Weight builds progressively as you turn off-center, and the front end exhibits a level of precision that surpasses expectations for a vehicle of this stature. When cornering at higher speeds, the air suspension and active anti-roll bars work in concert to counteract body lean, keeping the vehicle remarkably flat and composed. The system operates so effectively that it almost feels like automotive sorcery. An SUV as tall and heavy as the Range Rover has no right to handle corners as competently as it does. While it will never be mistaken for a sports car, it consistently feels planted, controlled, and reassuringly capable in all driving situations.
Being a Range Rover, off-road prowess is part of its inherent DNA. It boasts two locking differentials, one at the center and one at the rear axle, along with a suite of off-road displays that provide real-time information on power distribution to each axle and wheel, vehicle pitch and yaw angles, and even wade depth. While I refrained from subjecting the test car to serious off-road trails, primarily due to concerns about damaging the large and undoubtedly expensive wheels and tires, the Range Rover’s reputation for off-road capability is well-earned, and the hardware is certainly present to back it up. Its large wheels and lower-profile road tires might not allow it to keep pace with dedicated off-roaders like Jeep Wranglers or Toyota Land Cruisers in extreme terrain, but with its locking differentials and adjustable air suspension, it’s more than equipped to handle any off-road challenges its typical owner is realistically likely to encounter with remarkable ease.
Range Rover: High Points and Minor Drawbacks
Many contemporary luxury vehicles seem to rely heavily on flashy ambient lighting, elaborate infotainment graphics, and complex cabin technology to divert attention from less-than-stellar driving dynamics. The Range Rover takes a refreshingly different approach. In contrast to SUVs from brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it features a more restrained use of ambient lighting, a simpler, more intuitive infotainment interface, and digital gauges that evoke the classic elegance of analog clocks. However, the Range Rover excels in the fundamental aspects of a true luxury vehicle: a supremely comfortable ride, a potent yet refined powertrain, nicely weighted and accurate steering, a superb sound system (the optional $1,200 Meridian 3D setup in the test car), and an abundance of high-quality materials throughout the cabin.
Driving the Range Rover evokes the feeling of driving a luxury car from a bygone era, where the driving experience itself was the primary focus. That’s not to say it lacks technology; quite the opposite. Its surround-view camera system is among the best available, the digital rear-view mirror camera is genuinely useful, the seat massagers provide welcome relief on longer journeys, and the adjustable air suspension offers a significant advantage over less sophisticated luxury vehicles. Its ability to lower the ride height for easier entry and exit is a genuinely appreciated feature, and the rear-mounted button to lower the tailgate for easier loading is a thoughtful touch, particularly useful when dealing with baby gear. My wife, at five-foot-six, especially appreciated this feature during my son’s tee-ball practices.
Nico DeMattia
However, it’s not without minor imperfections. While some of its technology is genuinely helpful, the touchscreen infotainment software felt a touch sluggish at times, slightly detracting from the overall premium ambiance. Interestingly, it seemed less responsive than I recall experiencing in the Defender. Some of the submenus are also somewhat convoluted, particularly the seat menu, which serves as the sole access point for adjusting numerous seat functions, including lumbar support and massage settings. On the topic of massaging seats, the Range Rover features an automatic massage function that would activate my seat massage without prompting after a few minutes of driving. Initially, I mistook this for a malfunction, as I couldn’t locate a menu option to disable it. Eventually, after repeatedly manually deactivating the massage function, a prompt appeared on the touchscreen inquiring if I wished to disable the auto-massage feature.
Furthermore, Land Rover opted for touch-capacitive climate control buttons for the Range Rover, integrated into a fingerprint-prone glossy black plastic panel. This design choice makes them both less user-friendly in operation and somewhat out of place in an otherwise exceptionally well-appointed cabin.
Range Rover: Features, Options, and the Competitive Landscape
Luxury and exclusivity command a premium, and the Range Rover is no exception. Even the entry-level Range Rover SE starts at a considerable $108,875. The Range Rover SE Long Wheelbase seven-seat model tested here carried a sticker price of $153,225. Opting for the long-wheelbase seven-seat configuration alone elevates the base price to $137,875, with the test car further enhanced by $16,750 worth of optional extras. These included the aforementioned 23-inch wheels ($3,500), Technology Package ($2,000), Tailgate Event Suite ($1,950), Batumi Gold paint ($1,950), Caraway interior ($1,950), and Premium Interior Package ($1,850).
Nico DeMattia
In my opinion, the Tailgate Event Suite and Technology Package (primarily consisting of a head-up display and digital rearview camera) could be omitted without significantly compromising the luxurious experience. Choosing a different, less expensive paint color would also yield some cost savings. However, Range Rover buyers are typically not overly concerned with trimming a few thousand dollars here and there on options. They are generally set on acquiring the specific vehicle they desire, regardless of minor cost implications.
In terms of direct competitors, the Range Rover occupies a fairly unique space. The new Lexus LX 600 emerges as an intriguing, more affordable alternative, offering similar seating capacity and respectable off-road credentials, making it arguably the Range Rover’s closest rival. However, its third-row seating is less spacious, and its turbocharged V6 engine, while capable, lacks the visceral appeal of the Range Rover’s V8. The BMW X7 or Mercedes GLS-Class could also be considered, but neither matches the Range Rover’s off-road capabilities, giving the British SUV a distinct advantage in versatility. The venerable Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen also comes to mind, but it’s physically smaller and doesn’t offer seven-passenger seating – although what it lacks in practicality, it arguably compensates for with its iconic character and undeniable road presence.
Fuel Consumption: A Necessary Consideration
The Range Rover, tipping the scales at over 6,000 pounds and powered by a 523-hp 4.4-liter V8, predictably exhibits fuel economy figures that align with expectations. In real-world driving, it consumes fuel at a considerable rate, and I struggled to match its EPA-rated combined average of 18 mpg, achieving a best average of 17.1 mpg during my test. Fortunately, its substantial 23.8-gallon fuel tank provides a reasonably decent driving range between fill-ups.
EPA
Again, it’s worth noting that fuel economy is likely not a primary concern for individuals in the market for a $150,000-plus SUV. However, for buyers who are more environmentally conscious yet still desire a large, capable, three-row SUV, Range Rover offers more fuel-efficient powertrain options: a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six (P400) and a hybrid variant of the same six-cylinder engine (P550e).
Range Rover Verdict: Luxury and Versatility Redefined
As someone with a more modest financial perspective, justifying the Range Rover’s hefty price tag, despite its undeniable merits, is a challenge. However, I also recognize that the target demographic for this vehicle operates under a different set of financial considerations. Range Rover buyers aren’t making purchasing decisions based solely on financial prudence or a genuine need for extreme off-road capability. They are investing in a luxury experience that few other vehicles can deliver.
Nico DeMattia
After a week immersed in the Range Rover experience, I unequivocally understand its appeal. Beyond mere appeal, I deeply appreciate its remarkable versatility. It’s not just comfortable, luxurious, and aesthetically pleasing; it’s also practical, spacious, and surprisingly engaging to drive. It’s a vehicle versatile enough to cater to the diverse needs of a fashion influencer, a parent of five, and an off-road enthusiast, all straight from the factory. Ultimately, logic aside, there’s an undeniable sense of satisfaction in navigating the world from the elevated and refined perspective of a Range Rover – it simply feels like traveling first class, every single drive.
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