2019 Land Rover Range Rover Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byCameron RogersManager, NewsCameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
What's new
New no-cost Smartphone package adds Apple CarPlay and Android AutoPanoramic sunroof is now standardLane centering and 360-degree camera features now availablePart of the fourth Range Rover generation introduced for 2013It's not an exaggeration to say that the 2019 Land Rover Range Rover is one of the most versatile vehicles on sale today. With standard four-wheel drive, configurable traction settings and an air suspension, the Range Rover is capable of tackling muddy trails and wading through water nearly 3 feet deep. Yet it's equally able to tackle the worst of the urban jungle thanks to its cosseting cabin and high-end luxury features. It's similar to the Range Rover Sport, but the bigger Range Rover offers increased passenger room, a nicer interior, and a road presence that the Sport just can't match.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Land Rover Range Rover 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$240/mo for Range Rover Base
Range Rover Base
4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) - $89,160 MSRPTd6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) - $91,160 MSRPHSE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) (Most Popular) - $94,350 MSRPHSE Td6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) - $96,350 MSRPSupercharged 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $105,150 MSRPSupercharged LWB 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $109,195 MSRPAutobiography 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $142,295 MSRPAutobiography LWB 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $148,595 MSRPSVAutobiography Dynamic 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $177,500 MSRPSVAutobiography LWB 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $208,200 MSRP
vs
$229/mo
Avg. Large SUV
While the Range Rover has always been the pinnacle of the Land Rover lineup — receiving high-end luxury features first before they trickle down to less expensive models — it hasn't always kept up to date when it comes to tech. That changes for 2019. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available, and while they aren't technically included on every model, they are no-cost options and we expect most dealers will carry equipped vehicles. A pair of new safety items are also available: a camera that gives a bird's-eye view of the vehicle to aid in parking maneuvers and a lane-centering feature that helps reduce driver fatigue on long trips.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Land Rover Range Rover HSE Td6 (turbo 3.0L V6 diesel | 8-speed automatic | AWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current Range Rover has received some revisions, including a revised InControl Touch Pro Duo navigation and entertainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto availability, and the new Terrain Response 2, an automated driving mode system. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Range Rover.
Driving
The Range Rover HSE delivers exactly what you'd expect — a quiet and mostly soft ride in a handsome but conservative package that offers ample passenger and cargo space. We tested the torquey and smooth diesel engine, but the supercharged V8 is great too.
Acceleration
The diesel V6 generates a healthy serving of torque and enough power to get this 5,492-pound Range Rover moving fairly effortlessly. It will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, a respectably quick figure for such a boxy beast.
Braking
The pedal travel is a bit long, but that's not a bad trait in an off-roader. More to the point, these brakes are effective and can reliably execute a panic stop from 60 mph in a short distance. This move comes with abundant nosedive, but the vehicle stays arrow-straight.
Steering
The Range Rover feels secure when cruising down the road and making small course corrections. The steering ratio is neither too slow nor too quick. A tidy U-turn radius makes for good parking maneuverability.
Handling
You'll feel all of the Range Rover's weight going around turns. It begrudgingly responds to commands. This one does not like to be hustled through twisty bits, but it does feel coordinated in its own stately way.
Drivability
The gas pedal's accurate calibration makes for smooth starts, and the eight-speed transmission always responds as expected when it's time to accelerate. The engine stop-start system reacts quickly enough that we never felt the need to disable it.
Off-road
Low-range gearing, impressive suspension articulation, generous body clearance, and multiple terrain maps give the Range Rover off-road capability its buyers may never fully use. It is deceptively wide, though.
Comfort
The Range Rover is a quiet SUV, even when equipped with the diesel engine. There's a definite luxury slant to its ride character, but it could be better at filtering out sharp edges. The seats are firmer than we'd like.
Seat comfort
The Range Rover has an odd combination of long-travel suspension softness that you'll notice when driving over bumps and a sensitivity to road surface coarseness, particularly on concrete and cracked asphalt. It's like a Buick with overinflated tires.
Noise & vibration
We'd describe this one as silent even if it wasn't a boxy SUV. There's not much road or wind noise. Some diesel noise is apparent at parking lot speeds, but it's admirably muted and melds into the background as speed picks up.
Interior
The Range Rover feels big inside, and once you climb aboard it offers a good view outside. Most controls are easy to use, but the audio and entertainment system interface isn't terribly convenient. The generous cargo hold benefits from a two-piece split hatch with a short tailgate.
Ease of use
Driving position is nicely adjustable, and the major controls are, for the most part, logically placed. A lack of control knobs is annoying, though.
Getting in/getting out
The air suspension lowers the vehicle when parked to reduce step-in and cargo-loading height. The doors open wide, but there are no pillar-mounted grab handles to grasp.
Roominess
The Range Rover offers ample head- and legroom and shoulder room. It's a generally airy feeling front and back. Note: Despite outward appearances, the Range Rover only seats five. There's no third-row option.
Visibility
The beltline is low and there's lots of glass, with a high seating position that helps the driver see down past the corners. The optional multiview camera system helps in tight quarters, and there are parking sensors front and rear.
Quality
The Range Rover HSE looks well-built inside and out, but the interior materials in particular look a bit plain and overly conservative. It's more an issue of style than quality, we suppose, but those two often go hand in hand.
Utility
The Range Rover's interior is large but follows the European design edict that only driving functions should be supported. Thus, it lacks many of the small storage spaces that owners of American and Asian SUVs may be used to.
Technology
Land Rover's Touch Pro Duo system certainly looks amazing. However, in our limited experience with it in other Land Rovers, we've found it can be a bit laggy and at times unresponsive. While the infotainment system has tons of features, it can also be overly complicated and frustrating to use.
Which Range Rover does zzdcar recommend?
The HSE provides a good starting point for most buyers. It adds two of the base Range Rover's most worthwhile safety packages as well as upgraded seats and a more powerful version of the supercharged V6 gasoline engine. From high-end exterior paint schemes to massaging front seats, the Range Rover's options list is extensive. Given its status as the king of the hill in Land Rover's lineup, we think you should check the boxes for the Driver Assist and Vision Assist packages, which equip the Range Rover with the latest and greatest safety features. Heated and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control and a console refrigerator are all inexpensive and desirable options.
2019 Land Rover Range Rover models
The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover comes in five main versions: base, HSE, Supercharged, Autobiography and SVAutobiography Dynamic. While the base Range Rover comes well-equipped, the HSE gives you more standard features. The Supercharged is similarly equipped but has a supercharged V8. Next, the Autobiography adds more luxury options and driver assist systems, and the SVAutobiography Dynamic adds more power and sportier suspension tuning. The long-wheelbase versions of the Supercharged, Autobiography and SVAutobiography Dynamic add more than 7 inches of rear legroom.
The Range Rover's base version comes with your choice of a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (340 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque) or a turbocharged, diesel-powered 3.0-liter V6 (254 hp, 443 lb-ft). The diesel is known as the Td6. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.
Standard features on this model include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting (headlights, taillights and daytime running lights), rear foglights, a self-leveling air suspension with automatic height adjustment for loading and unloading, adaptive suspension dampers, automatic wipers, auto-dimming and heated exterior mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, a panoramic sunroof with a gesture-operated sun blind, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone climate control, a power-adjustable steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 16-way heated front seats with memory settings, a 60/40-split rear seat and leather upholstery.
Tech features include a digital instrument panel, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, satellite and HD radio, a 13-speaker Meridian sound system, and Land Rover's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10-inch touchscreen displays. A rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning are also standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't technically standard, but they are included with the Smartphone Integration package, which is a no-cost option.
Next up is the Range Rover HSE that includes a few more standard features such as 20-inch wheels, soft-close doors, upgraded 20-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, as well as access to a greater catalog of options. It also includes the Drive (blind-spot monitor and traffic sign recognition) and Park (rear cross-traffic alert) packages, which are available on the base Range Rover. The HSE comes with your choice of two powertrains: the Td6 diesel V6 or a powered-up version of the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (380 hp, 339 lb-ft).
Next is the Range Rover Supercharged, which simply adds a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 (518 hp, 461 lb-ft) to the V6-powered HSE, plus 21-inch wheels.
The next rung up is the Range Rover Autobiography. The Autobiography packs the same supercharged V8 as the Supercharged, but it features significantly more content, such as the Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control systems, automatic high-beam control, front foglights, a 360-degree parking camera, a head-up display, four-zone climate control, 24-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, heated and ventilated rear seats with remote power-folding, upgraded leather upholstery, additional leather trim, and a 29-speaker Meridian sound system. It also adds several packages that are available on other models, such as Drive Pro (enhanced blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane departure mitigation) and Park Pro (automated parallel and perpendicular parking). The long-wheelbase version also comes with a rear entertainment system.
If you want the sportiest Range Rover, go with the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic. It uses an uprated version of the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 gasoline engine and produces 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It also features a lowered ride height, a more aggressive on-road suspension calibration, quilted leather upholstery, leather headliner, heated massage elements for the front seats, and additional rear-seat adjustments.
The long-wheelbase models all share the same extended chassis. The Range Rover's wheelbase is lengthened by 7.9 inches, and rear-seat legroom grows by 7.3 inches. As the top dog, the SVAutobiography LWB comes with a front cooler under the center armrest, along with an even more luxurious rear-seat environment, which includes upgraded class seats, deployable tables, a center console cooler with glasses, power sunshade blinds, power-closing doors and a rear-seat entertainment system.
2019 Range Rover Highlights
Type: SVAutobiography LWBSVAutobiography DynamicSUVDieselSUVTrim: BaseTd6HSEHSE Td6SuperchargedSupercharged LWBAutobiographyAutobiography LWBSVAutobiography DynamicSVAutobiography LWBBase
Base MSRP | $89,160 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $240/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 31.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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