“Best in its class” on and off the road! Test drive of Land Rover Range Rover: SWB’s D350 is the best | AUTOCAR JAPAN
The Land Rover Range Rover has evolved for over half a century. It has enriched many people’s lives as a luxury off-road vehicle that can handle everything from exploring vast territories, taking children to school, shopping on the weekend, and going to the opera.
Land Rover currently offers the Range Rover in over 130 countries, with multiple specifications to suit different demands.
The car is available in two body lengths. The standard wheelbase (SWB) and long wheelbase (LWD) models also come in seven-seater versions. There are two trim levels out of four available. There is also a special-order Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) model.
The overall length is 5052mm for the SWB and 5252mm for the LWD. The overall width is 1990mm for both. Powertrains include gasoline and diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid option. However, the LWD version has limited options.
With so many different specifications, it’s not easy to determine the Range Rover’s true rival. In terms of off-road performance and long history, it would be the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
For sporty on-road performance, it might be the BMW X7. For classy flair, the Bentley Bentayga is the obvious choice.
The platform is the 80% aluminum MLA Flex. It shares many parts with other Land Rovers. Steel reinforcements are installed around the C-pillars, D-pillars and front doors, and the torsional rigidity is 50% higher than the previous model. It is said to be 3.3 tons per degree.
Air suspension is standard. Elegant and classic interior.
The suspension is a double wishbone type up front and a five-link type at the rear. Height-adjustable air springs are standard on all models. The height can be raised by 135mm for rough roads, or lowered by 50mm to make it easier to get in and out.
Terrain Response II is also implemented, which integrates drivetrain, suspension, traction control, etc. according to the terrain. The active anti-roll bar, which operates at 48V, predicts corners based on data from the car navigation system and controls posture.
Land Rover Range Rover D350 HSE (UK spec)The car also comes with an active rear-wheel steering system, which allows the rear wheels to turn up to 7.3 degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds. Torque vectoring and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential are also standard.
The transmission is an 8-speed automatic made by ZF. It is a four-wheel drive with low range, but depending on the conditions, such as when the temperature is above 3 degrees and the speed is below 160 km/h, it automatically switches to front-wheel drive. This reduces CO2 emissions.
The interior has an atmosphere that is reminiscent of the 2002 L322 model. The dashboard has a horizontal theme, with a 13.1-inch touch monitor in the center. It has a classy, classic feel.
The aluminium-look panels can be a bit too bright at certain sun angles, but the interior finishes and materials are appropriate for a car that costs over £100,000 in the UK. A separate controller for the infotainment would be nice.
Top and bottom split tailgate. Recommended model is D350.
Images: “Best in class” on and off the road: Land Rover Range Rover rivals and luxury SUVs – all 195 photos