Introduction
The Range Rover is well known for being one of the best SUVs on the market and Land Rover hasn't stopped there! The new Range Rover PHEV comes with a plug-in hybrid setup for electric, zero-emission driving, while joining the trend of luxury SUVs with electrified setups – like the Porsche Cayenne hybrid and Bentley Bentayga Hybrid.
So, how does this different take on the Range Rover stack up to its rivals, and can it also live up to the excellence of its gas-guzzling predecessors? We take a look…
Performance
The main change to this Range Rover is the powertrain, with it now available with the 2.0-litre petrol hybrid setup that equates to 399bhp – 296bhp of which is supplied by the petrol unit. The combined performance of both power options means a 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 134mph. It is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission as well as all-wheel drive, a twin-speed transfer box and adaptive dynamics.
The all-electric range is set at 31 miles and you can get up to 85mph in EV mode, but this is better suited for urban driving rather than the open road. Transfer between the two power modes is near-seamless and it certainly performs like a Range Rover should.
Ride & Handling
As with other Range Rover models, the PHEV maintains the wafty nature that make the premium model so nice to drive, and when cruising on the open road, it is supremely comfortable. With the air suspension, the bumps and ruts in the road are smoothed out and it feels as luxurious as ever – and possibly more so in pure electric mode where it is also amazingly quiet.
Despite its size, the SUV handles really well, as it doesn’t roll much and is very direct. If you’re looking for a premium car that rides and drives well, few will match the Range Rover here.
Interior & Equipment
As is the way with the Range Rover, you won’t be found wanting for extra equipment – even in standard specification. Automatic headlights, daytime running lights, LED tail lights, fixed panoramic roof, a multi-function steering wheel, the Land Rover Touch Pro Duo infotainment system and 12.3-inch interactive driver display all come as standard with every vehicle – alongside a multitude of other accessories.
For infotainment, you aren’t short of equipment either as you get satellite navigation, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, voice control, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB digital radio, USB ports and Jaguar Land Rover InControl applications.
You also get plenty of safety equipment and assistance features, with emergency braking, cruise control with speed limiter, front and rear parking assist, hill descent control and low traction launch all included as standard.
The Vogue trim we tested the PHEV in also came with the Terrain Response system, perforated leather seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, lane departure warning, a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, Meridian sound system and keyless entry and start.
Cost
The Range Rover PHEV starts off at £86,965 – which is at the cheap end of the Range Rover line-up as models can get up to £177,000. Optional extras are available, but looking at how much you get as standard you don’t really need to.
With the combination of petrol and electric power, the PHEV can achieve a quoted 101mpg and 64g/km CO2 – meaning road tax will be reduced for the first year compared to rivals and then be £450 beyond that due to the premium price tag.
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Verdict
There are few issues with the PHEV, as it has the same creature comforts as other Range Rover models but comes with a more environmentally-friendly powertrain. It drives almost the same as its diesel and petrol counterparts and offers better running costs than similarly sized options in the market. It is also one of the cheaper models in the line-up you can own, and in Vogue trim you get almost anything you would ever need in a car. With space and comfort in spades, there are few premium vehicles that can get close to the Range Rover, and the updated version here has solidified that standing even further.
