Land Rover Range Rover

Land Rover Range Rover sits at the very top of JLR’s luxury SUV hierarchy. It defines the brand’s identity more than the Discovery, Defender, or Range Rover Sport ever could. Its clean, uncluttered silhouette carries forward five decades of design authority. The shape is evolutionary, not revolutionary—and that is entirely the point. This is the SUV that British royalty rides in. It has ferried heads of state and Hollywood elites with equal discretion. The Range Rover does not shout for attention on the road. It simply commands it, the way a tailored suit commands a boardroom.

How does it drive? At this price, you expect seamless performance, and the Range Rover delivers exactly that. It drives like a limousine that accidentally received off-road clearance. The 8-speed automatic gearbox from ZF shifts with impeccable smoothness and near-silent precision. Braking feels progressive and confidence-inspiring, whether in bumper-to-bumper city traffic or fast highway cruising. The base 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-six produces 394 PS and 550 Nm with mild-hybrid assistance. It handles everything from Mumbai expressway sprints to Delhi flyover commutes without breaking a sweat. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel pushes out 346 PS and a massive 700 Nm of torque. That wall of low-end grunt makes hill climbs and heavy-load towing feel effortless. Step up to the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, and you unlock 530 PS. The range-topping SV variant takes that same V8 to a formidable 615 PS.

The Range Rover SWB weighs around 2,454 kg in its lightest form, climbing past 2,800 kg in heavier V8 configurations. Larger 22- or 23-inch alloy wheels can transmit sharper impacts over broken Indian roads. On the standard air suspension, the ride remains composed and wonderfully plush at all speeds. The 6D Dynamics system, available on higher variants, takes body control to another level entirely. It also raises ground clearance to 219 mm in standard mode, and more for off-road use.

Adaptive cruise control with steering assist works seamlessly on the highway without abrupt interventions. The 3D surround camera with ClearSight ground view helps in tight parking spots and narrow lanes. All-wheel steering sharpens low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability remarkably. Navigating Lutyens’ Delhi roundabouts or Himalayan mountain passes feels equally manageable.

How comfortable is it? The Range Rover rides with a level of refinement that sets the benchmark in this segment. The cabin stays remarkably hushed, even on coarse surfaces and at triple-digit speeds. Active noise cancellation works alongside acoustic glass to suppress road and wind noise to near-limousine levels.

The driver’s seat offers up to 24-way electric adjustment with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second row in the LWB variant feels genuinely palatial and airy. Headroom, legroom, and shoulder room remain generous even for tall passengers. The tall roofline and expansive glass area create a bright, open cabin feel. Air suspension lowers the ride height for effortless entry and exit. Large doors and illuminated treadplates make access feel occasion-worthy every single time. The seven-seater option in the LWB adds flexibility, though the third row suits children better than adults. We recommend the four-seat executive configuration in the LWB for rear passengers who value individual comfort above all else.

Child seat installation in the second row is straightforward with ISOFIX points. The four-zone climate control keeps every occupant in their own comfort bubble independently. The cabin uses Perlino semi-aniline leather and sustainable materials that feel indulgent to the touch. The optional tailgate suite with fold-out seats adds a charming touch for outdoor gatherings.

How’s the tech? The Pivi Pro infotainment system runs on a large 13.1-inch curved touchscreen that looks stunning. The display responds quickly with fluid animations and virtually no perceptible lag. However, the menu structure can feel layered and occasionally requires too many taps to find specific settings. Finding granular controls buried in submenus can frustrate during a fast commute. The 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel displays information crisply and clearly. The built-in navigation works well on Indian roads and supports live traffic updates. The Meridian Signature Sound System, packing up to 1,600 watts and 35 speakers, delivers an audiophile-grade experience.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly via USB-C ports up front. Phone connectivity is generally stable, though occasional reconnection hiccups do surface. Rear passengers also get USB-C ports and optional rear entertainment screens. JLR’s over-the-air software updates continue to improve functionality and add features over time. Amazon Alexa integration adds hands-free voice control for convenience on the move.

How’s storage and cargo? The Range Rover SWB offers around 575 litres of boot space with seats up. The LWB variant stretches that further. Fold the second row down, and the number climbs past 1,050 litres comfortably. The rear seats fold with reasonable ease, though the mechanism could feel slicker for the price. Air suspension lowers the vehicle for easier cargo loading at the powered tailgate. Unlike the Defender’s side-hinged door, the Range Rover uses a conventional powered liftgate. Interior cubby holes and door pockets handle everyday items but could be more generous for a cabin this large. Rear passenger storage, including the centre armrest compartment, works adequately for long-distance journeys.

The Range Rover’s towing capacity reaches up to 3,500 kg when properly equipped. That matches the best in its luxury SUV class globally. The 90-litre fuel tank on diesel and petrol variants ensures long highway runs between refuelling stops.

Is it a good value? The Range Rover starts at around ₹2.31 crore (ex-showroom) in India for the HSE 3.0 Diesel. Prices climb to approximately ₹4.66 crore for the range-topping SV and special editions. The main rival, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, starts at around ₹2.75 crore. A sensibly specced Range Rover Autobiography blends supreme luxury with genuine off-road ability. It justifies its price against rivals that offer either luxury or capability, but rarely both. The MLA-Flex aluminium architecture feels structurally solid and impressively rigid from every angle. Panel gaps are tight, paint quality is deep, and shut lines are consistent throughout. It sits above a Mercedes-Benz GLS in outright luxury feel and presence. And it offers genuine off-road hardware that most luxury SUV rivals simply cannot match.

JLR India offers a standard warranty of three years with unlimited kilometres. Extended warranty packages are available through authorised JLR service centres. Some competitors like Mercedes-Benz offer more comprehensive service packages, and JLR could do better here.

How’s the fuel economy? The 3.0-litre diesel returns an ARAI-rated mileage of around 13.16 kmpl. The 3.0-litre turbo-petrol delivers roughly 12.8 kmpl as per ARAI figures. The 4.4-litre V8 petrol variants drop to around 8.7 kmpl depending on driving conditions. Real-world mileage typically falls below these official ARAI-certified numbers. City driving with frequent stops brings the figures down even further. The diesel engine remains the most sensible choice for everyday Indian driving. It strikes the best balance between effortless performance and running costs. The plug-in hybrid option, where available, adds electric-only range for short urban commutes.

Is it a good value? The Discovery Sport starts at around ₹63.37 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. It is available in a single, fully loaded Dynamic SE variant across both powertrain options. The main rivals include the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, and Volvo XC60. A well-specced Discovery Sport blends all-wheel-drive capability with seven-seat practicality. It justifies its price over two-row-only rivals that cannot match its versatility. Build quality feels solid and durable, with tight panel gaps and a reassuring heft to the doors. It sits below a Range Rover Velar in outright luxury and road presence, though. But it offers far more practical family space than most compact luxury SUV rivals.

JLR India offers a standard warranty of three years with unlimited kilometres. Extended warranty packages are available through authorised JLR service centres. Some competitors like BMW include complimentary service packages, but JLR does not.

Presence matters enormously to the Range Rover, and it delivers in spades. This generation refines the iconic silhouette with cleaner surfaces and hidden details. It looks dignified, imposing, and unmistakably expensive from every single angle on Indian roads. The flush door handles and blacked-out LED tail lamps add a modern, minimalist elegance. The front face could carry a touch more visual aggression for those who want drama, though. The Range Rover cruises with composure and silence on highways that few rivals can replicate. Its Terrain Response 2 system handles everything from sand and snow to rock crawling with ease. Electronic controls and all-wheel steering make off-roading accessible, even for inexperienced drivers. Purists might note the absence of truly hardcore mud-plugging hardware, though. Still, as a statement of luxury that happens to go anywhere, the Range Rover remains unmatched.