2017 Range Rover Road Test and Review

2017 Range Rover front 3 4 autobiography hero ・ Photo by Range Rover

Although Land Rover has been building its flagship SUV since 1970, the Range Rover wasn’t a Hollywood mogul must-have until it starred in Robert Altman’s award-winning movie The Player in 1992. Tim Robbins plays Hollywood studio exec Griffin Mill, but instead of the usual red Ferrari or big Benz sedan, Altman starts the film with his protagonist driving a new black first-generation Range Rover. This movie put the Range Rover not only on the map, but on the shopping list of Hollywood’s A-list.

Twenty-five years later the new fourth-generation Range Rover continues to be the full-size luxury SUV of choice for the rich and famous, from the Kardashians to Jay-Z and Jennifer Aniston. And for a good reason. Few other vehicles are as luxurious, as comfortable or as capable.

Let's take a closer look at the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover.

Available in Five Trim Levels

Built about 100 miles northeast of London, the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover is offered in two wheelbases and five trim levels: Base; HSE; Supercharged; Autobiography; and SVAutobiography Dynamic. Each is equipped with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are several engines available, including a turbo diesel. There is no hybrid model.  

Prices start at $86,645, including $995 for destination and handling, for the base Range Rover model and $93,645 for an HSE. Both come standard with a 340-hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which is sufficiently powerful for most buyers, and such luxuries as Bluetooth, navigation and a power tailgate. A more fuel-efficient 254-hp 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 is an option for $2,000. The HSE has an available upgrade to a 380-hp version of the supercharged gasoline V6 for $5,000.

The performance bargain of the lineup is the $104,890 Supercharged model, like our test vehicle, which gets a 510-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8. That same engine is in the Autobiography, which costs north of $140,000. The top-of-the-line and ultra-luxurious SVAutobiography costs $170,000, and gets the same 550-hp supercharged V8 Land Rover uses in its Range Rover Sport SVR high-performance model and Jaguar uses in its F-Type R sports car.

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Longer Wheelbase But No Third Row

Land Rover refuses to offer a third row in the Range Rover. Land Rover will gladly sell you a third row in a Range Rover Sport, which uses the same all-aluminum chassis and 115-inch wheelbase as the Range Rover, or the new Land Rover Discovery. Both seat seven. But not the big dog. The Range Rover flagship seats a maximum of five. This is of course good news for Mercedes-Benz, which markets its seven-passenger GLS against the Range Rover.

Here’s the second curve ball. Land Rover offers the Range Rover in an extended-wheelbase model that adds over eight inches to the SUVs wheelbase and extends the second-row leg room significantly. Still, no third row, however. In fact, the long wheelbase models only seat four, as the rear-seat bench becomes two reclining captain’s chairs.

The long-wheelbase model is for those that like to be driven, as in kings, queens and Ryan Seacrest. Prices start at $109,890 and climb beyond the $200,000 mark for the fully loaded SVAutobiograpy with what Land Rover calls "Rear Executive Class" seating with calf rests, power-deployable tables and a champagne bottle chiller.

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Spacious Family Friendly Interior

For most families the five-passenger capacity of the standard-wheelbase Range Rover is sufficient. If you need more seats, the three-row Range Rover Sport is a compelling alternative, as is the BMW X5, but the larger Mercedes GLS is far more spacious. And if you really need big, the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator are worth checking out.

The Range Rover does offer more rear-seat space than you’ll find in many of its competitors. If you carpool with Rob Gronkowski, Dont’a Hightower and Danny Amendola you won’t have any problems. Just ask Tom Brady, he drives one. Rear-seat air-conditioning vents are standard on the Range Rover, while heated rear seats and soft door-closing are standard on the HSE and up. A rear -seat entertainment system is available.

Young parents will appreciate the Range Rover Sport's easy to reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and the easily accessed upper-tether anchors on the seatbacks. Crash-test scores for this model are not available.

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Big Cargo Volume

Cargo space behind the Rover’s second row is extremely generous. The 2017 Range Rover offers 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space back there, and it’s easily accessed by its unique split tailgate that always creates a perfect place to sit or picnic. That’s more than enough room for a Costco run, but the larger Mercedes offers 49.4 cubic feet.  

The second row is split 60/40, and it easily folds flat. Fold the second row, and there are an impressive 82.8 cubic feet of space, which is about average for the class. The Mercedes offers 93.8 cubic feet, while the smaller BMW X5 offers just 66 cubic feet.

Storage inside the Rover’s interior is also copious. The felt-lined center console bin is deep enough to store an iPad and there are large bins, also felt-lined, on each door for small items. The well-placed front-seat cupholders are deep for that morning brew and they accommodate cups with handles. The backseat cupholders are in a fold-down armrest that accommodates the middle seat when in use.

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Well Appointed and Comfortable Interior

Land Rover has finally improved its infotainment system for 2017. What was once painfully slow and frustrating to use is now quick to respond and easier to navigate. Land Rover still uses an intuitive touchscreen, and that screen has grown from 8.3-inches to a more modern 10.2 inches.

This is one of the best interiors in the segment, simple, understated, but very well-appointed and impeccably tailored. It’s also extremely comfortable with large, well-shaped seats and powerful seat heaters.

All the surfaces are soft to the touch, and all the knobs and switches are covered in beautiful, muted aluminum trim which pairs beautifully with the high-gloss wood trim. Nothing feels cheap or chintzy, and the thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel is just perfect. The driver’s seat is height-adjustable for shorter drivers, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel is standard.

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Fun To Drive

Our Range Rover Supercharged test vehicle was very easy to drive around town. Its light steering and a tight turning circle make it easy to park, and it’s fun to hustle this big SUV through traffic. Although it weighs two-and-a-half tons, it feels light on its feet. There’s some body roll in corners, which takes a little getting used to, but the handling is remarkable for a vehicle this big. It’s athletic, and it likes to be tossed around.

There’s plenty of power from the Rover’s supercharged V8, and it sounds fantastic with a throaty V8 rumble. Also, the automatic transmission is well-geared and pleasingly responsive. It also has a Sport setting for more lively performance.

The long-travel air suspension provides a soft and compliant ride, but you can feel the texture of the road through the steering wheel. Out on the highway, it’s extremely quiet and it rides beautifully. This is a great road trip car. I once drove one from Vail, Colorado to Los Angeles in one day with almost no fatigue. It’s that comfortable.

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Awesome Off-Road

Oprah Winfrey will probably never drive her Range Rover through 35.3 inches of water, although Land Rover says it’s possible. The truth is most buyers will never explore the Range Rover’s full off-road capabilities, despite the truck’s reputation for going anywhere and driving over anything.

This is a shame. At a local off-road park, our test vehicle lived up to that reputation. With its height-adjustable air suspension at it highest setting to increase ground clearance, the Range Rover tackled obstacles we would have run away from in other SUVs.

Thanks to its generous wheel travel, I was able to drive it up some challenging trail sections and hill climbs, some steep enough to test the Rover’s class leading approach and departure angles and max out the traction of its 21-inch tires. Thanks to the Rover’s all-wheel drive system, which offers four settings for different surfaces, and its quick-acting traction control system, I always made it to the top and the Rover’s Hill Descent Control allowed us to get back down slowly and safely. Traction in deep sand was astonishing.

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Good Fuel Economy for the Class

Fuel economy is also good for this class. The standard supercharged V6 is rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The Mercedes GLS450 is rated 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

As expected the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 stretches it fuel the farthest, with fuel-economy ratings of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. That’s on par with BMW’s diesel-powered X5, which is rated 23 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Opt for the big and burly supercharged 5.0-liter V8, and you’re looking at ratings of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. I averaged just 15 mpg during a few days of mixed driving.

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Final Thoughts

The 2017 Land Rover Range Rover competes very successfully against a long list of high-quality, highly desirable luxury suvs including the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Bentley Bentayga and Tesla Model X.

Although it doesn’t offer a third row, the Range Rover makes up for it with timeless style, powerful engines, unmatched off-road capability and an interior fit for the highest-paid TV stars.

If you’re looking for a luxurious and capable full-size luxury SUV, the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover is a desirable overall choice.

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