BIG IS BEAUTIFUL (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_rangerover_2024

By Jonathan Crouch

The fifth generation Range Rover offers a set of unique SU-VIP attributes for those who can afford them. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 136

So many cars claim to be unique but the Range Rover really is, continuing to set the standard in the super-luxury SUV sector. This MK5 model is larger and more sophisticated than its previous generation predecessor, as well as being smarter looking and higher-tech. It's also still unrivalled off road too. More significantly perhaps, new technology makes it better on tarmac. And it's also much more economical than you might expect, thanks to mild hybrid and Plug-in hybrid engine tech, with an EV version also now available. The key qualities remain though, this aluminium-bodied luxury SUV finally good enough to properly combine the imperious qualities of a top luxury saloon with off piste abilities that would be limited only by the skills of its driver. A Rolls Royce in the rough, there's nothing quite like it.

Backgroundword count: 165

Back in 2021, the introduction of the fifth generation Range Rover marked the beginning of a new Land Rover era. Which was appropriate because the very first Range Rover signalled just such a thing at its launch back in 1970. Just over half a century on, this MK5 design set the template for the brand's new electric era that saw the introduction of a full-EV Range Rover Electric model in Spring 2026. That full-battery model sells alongside the mild hybrid diesel and PHEV plug-in petrol engine options available as part of a model line that was completely redesigned, upgraded and updated in this fifth generation form, following a five year, seven million hour testing programme. Don't be fooled, in other words, by the familiar-looking front end. The car now sits on a very advanced MLA-Flex platform that's 80% aluminium; and as usual with a Range Rover, there are short and long wheelbase body styles, the latter with a 7-seat option. Lots to talk about then.

Driving Experienceword count: 585

First, we need to brief you on the key fundemental engineering features of this fifth generation model - and there are several. Arguably the primary difference over previous generation Range Rovers comes with the advanced MLA-Flex platform this L460-era model sits on, which offers a vast 50% static torsional rigidity improvement over the previous generation design. Combine that with the Roll Stability Control system added for this MK5 Range Rover and the result is a huge difference in the way the car pitches through the turns. Of course it's still nowhere near Range Rover Sport-like - it isn't intended to be. But you'll feel far more confident about pressing on through the corners in this car, should the need arise to do so. And you'll be further aided in this by the standard inclusion of active All Wheel Steering, which stabilises corner turn-in; and has the added benefit at low speeds of tightening the turning circle - to just 11.37-metres (the same as some compact family hatches); this is due to the way the system can pitch the rear wheels to oppose the fronts at up to 7.3-degrees. All the combustion powerplants on offer are still paired with a silky-smooth 8-speed auto gearbox and the best 4x4 system by far. And all deliver cruising refinement still unequalled in the class, even by the Bentley Bentayga. We can't help feeling that the best powerplant choice here is still an old school six cylinder diesel. There remain two, both now 48V mild hybrid-assisted, the D300 and the D350, those figures denoting the horsepower generated in each case. Both variants can tow impressively - up to 3.5-tonnes. As can the two rarely-chosen mild hybrid 4.4-litre V8 petrol models, the P530 and the P615, these thirsty engines only available with the two most exclusive trim levels and able to spirit this huge SUV to 62mph in around four and a half seconds. Units like that aren't long for this world. But at the same time, many in that world still aren't quite ready for the full-EV Range Rover that the company can now offer. The Range Rover Electric offers 534hp and 850Nm of torque - a meaty output total;but then it needs to be to pull along over 2.8-tonnes of Solihull real estate. And that output is generated by only two motors (one on each axle) energised by a 118kWh battery pack offering up to 310 miles of range. The alternative is the PHEV plug-in combustion model we tried. This L460 design's PHEV powertrain pairs a six cylinder 3.0-litre petrol unit and a 141bhp electric motor with a 38.2kWh battery offering up to 75 miles of EV range. As before, there are three PHEV-specific drive settings - 'Hybrid', 'EV' and 'Save'. With 'Hybrid' engaged, you can access full system power, which is 460hp in the case of the P460e model, enough to dispatch 62mph in 5.7s en route to 140mph. The alternative P550e variant improves those figures to 5.0s and 150mph. Since this is a Range Rover, we must finish with a few words on off road prowess, which is broadly the same whichever powertrain you choose. As usual, there's selectable low range capability and the centre monitor has a '4x4-I' section that allows you to separately lock the front and rear differentials for really gnarly tracks. On all variants, there's the brand's usual 'Terrain Response 2' tech offering different drive modes for challenging surfaces. Braked towing capacity is 3.5-tonnes, but falls to 2.5-tonnes with the Range Rover Electric.

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