History/Overview
Land Rover last redesigned its flagship Range Rover model in 2013. That's ages ago in the auto industry, and yet the look is holding up well, thanks in part to a styling refresh in 2018. Other changes have included additions to the range-topping Autobiography line, which has gained some performance and luxury features since 2013 to bolster its position as one of the poshest SUVs your money can buy.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
This year's news is a mild hybrid Range Rover powered by a 3.0L inline six-cylinder with electric assist. It's a high-tech powertrain built around a 48-volt electrical system. The gas engine is turbocharged and also sports an electric supercharger along with an electric motor generator that captures electricity under braking and provides a torque boost during acceleration. This engine replaces a supercharged V6 that served as last year's base engine.
Available Trims
The Land Rover Range Rover comes in standard and long-wheelbase forms. The standard model is offered in HSE, Autobiography and SV Autobiography Dynamic trims, while the stretched body can be dressed in HSE Supercharged, Autobiography and SV Autobiography packages.
Engine choices in HSE standard-wheelbase trim include a 3.0L diesel, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that pairs a turbo four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor, and the new mild hybrid and its inline six.
The HSE Supercharged, Autobiography and SV Autobiography models share a supercharged V8 in two flavours, with SV models getting the more potent version.
No matter which engine you choose, it comes matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Land Rover's well-sorted four-wheel drive system.
Standard Features
HSE trim comes standard with the Terrain Response off-road system, 20-inch wheels, LED headlights with signature lighting, Windsor perforated leather upholstery, 20-way heated front seats, heated rear seats with power backrest adjustment, Meridian sound system, 360-degree parking aid, rear traffic monitor, vehicle exit monitor, driver condition monitor, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition, adaptive speed limiter, panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, LED taillights, headlight power wash, rear fog lights, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, hands-free tailgate, electric steering column adjustment, ambient lighting, air suspension, 10.0-inch Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, 12.3-inch digital gauge display, navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, forward collision detection with low-speed emergency braking, soft-close doors, three-zone climate control and a heated steering wheel.
Autobiography trim adds a tow hitch receiver, 21-inch wheels, locking rear differential, Terrain Response 2, All Terrain Progress Control, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, high-speed emergency braking, blind spot assist, surround-view camera system, four-zone climate control and front fog lights.
SV Autobiography brings configurable ambient lighting, an upgraded sound system, lighted treadplates, lane keeping and park assist systems, an upgraded adaptive cruise setup with steering assist, trailer stability assist, front and rear recovery hooks and advanced tow assist.
Key Options
HSE options include a Drive Pro Package (adaptive cruise, blind spot assist, high-speed emergency braking); park assist; a Vision Assist Package (front fog lights, automatic high beams, head-up display); an Entertainment Package (surround sound stereo, DVD player, rear-seat entertainment system); a Towing Package (advanced tow assist, activity key, tow hitch receiver); and a Driver Assist Package (blind spot assist, surround view camera, adaptive cruise with steering assist, high-speed emergency braking, park assist).
Autobiography's sole option is a heated windshield.
SV Autobiography can be optioned with a rear-seat entertainment system.
Fuel Economy
As we write this, Land Rover had yet to publish fuel consumption estimates for the 2020 Range Rover, so we don't know how the new mild hybrid powertrain will be rated. We expect the electrified six-cylinder to post ratings of around 13.5/10.0 L/100 km (city/highway), which would make it a bit more efficient than the V6 it replaces, despite making more power.
Likewise, the PHEV was a late 2019 model year addition whose estimates will be published first for 2020.
However, estimates for other engines in the ranger carry over from 2019. The diesel's ratings are 10.7/8.3 L/100 km (city/highway). The Supercharged V8 is rated 14.4/11.3 in standard form and 17.9/12.7 L/100 km in the SV Autobiography version.
Competition
The Range Rover was a fore-runner in the luxury SUV class, which has ballooned to include vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne, Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. At the higher end of the Range Rover's price envelope, you might also consider the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
