The fifth-generation Land Rover Range Rover enters 2024 with a slew of subtle enhancements, some additions and subtractions that collectively refine its already regal status. The S-Class offers three powertrain options: a P550e plug-in hybrid, a P400 six-cylinder mild hybrid, and the carryover P530 twin-turbo V8 engine paired with a lightweight hybrid system. With a range of trim options available, consumers can choose between the SE, Autobiography, and SV models, each featuring short- and long-wheelbase variants, as well as the option to upgrade to a 7-seat configuration on the SE and Autobiography trims. This year’s revisions are capped off with a scattering of internal tweaks and a fresh coat of paint.
The Land Rover has consistently appreciated in value over the years as well. Initially, base fashions started at around $100,000, with only the highest echelons of SV Autobiography exceeding the $200,000 mark. Even our reasonably well-equipped autobiography effortlessly spans the ceiling, exceeding the door clearance specifications set by the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. As Land Rover’s flagship model, the Range Rover is carefully positioned to outshine its rivals in the luxury SUV market, including the Mercedes-Maybach GLS and BMW XM, while deliberately keeping a safe distance from the Bentley Bentayga and Aston Martin DBX.
The Autobiography commands a substantial $74,000 premium over the base SE trim, which raises the question: what exactly does one get for their money? Equipped with striking Pixel LED headlights, the luxury SUV boasts an upgraded 1600-watt Meridian Signature sound system, complete with built-in headrest audio for unparalleled in-cabin entertainment. Additionally, it features sumptuous semi-aniline leather seats, a powered gesture-controlled tailgate, and electric rear window sunblinds for enhanced convenience. The unique additions embody a solar-attenuated windshield; illuminated seatbelt buckles add a touch of sophistication; thicker SV carpet mats provide enhanced luxury; steel treadplates replace aluminum ones for a more premium look; numerous cabin surfaces are now lined in supple leather; a comprehensive cabin purification system ensures a healthier environment; illuminated vanity mirrors within the sun visors offer increased functionality; a head-up display provides a convenient driving aid; 11.4-inch rear entertainment screens mounted on the front seatback cater to passengers’ entertainment needs; and a refrigerator box in the front center console offers unparalleled convenience.
The discontinuation of the distinctive cursive and italicized Autobiography badge is lamented, as its replacement with a mundane, pedestrian font like Trebuchet lacks the visual pizzazz that once characterized this feature. Despite its imposing size, the SUV’s exterior design shows little change from last year’s model, a development that has actually grown on us over time. The vertically-stretched, heavily-tinted taillights create a striking visual statement, while the understated entrance fascia provides a thoughtful contrast to the bold designs found in the BMW XM and Bentley Bentayga; yet, this vehicle still manages to convey an extraordinary level of highway presence.
This year’s cabin modifications significantly impact consumer performance. To declutter and simplify the cabin, the mid-console now exclusively accommodates the gear shifter and start button. Have the dials that control the quantity and drive modes vanished from this place? What about the auxiliary panel controlling cabin heat and ventilation? The tactile experience of buttons is supplanted by a 13.1-inch mid-screen interface, relegating their functionality. Along the left and right edges of the display screen are intuitive sliders for adjusting quantity and cabin temperature respectively; simply swipe your fingers up or down to make adjustments.
On paper, this proposal appears to be a winning strategy. This technology is meant to be used on the touchscreen, anyway. Despite the convenience of having dedicated and streamlined buttons, the absence of quick access remains frustrating. Distracting from the primary task of driving, managing these frequent functions on the highway proves frustrating; although alternative routes such as voice commands and steering wheel controls exist, their value to the overall experience remains uncertain. Despite the intricate array of buttons and dials, the cabin appears to be no taller as a result. As a misstep in an unfolding crisis, we anticipate; unfortunately, it’s not just Tesla’s Cybertruck that will fall victim to this trend. Volkswagen’s latest models are plagued by a severe impact due to inadequate consumer ergonomics and an overreliance on haptic contact sensors, leading to diminished driving experiences.
With regards to performance aside, the Range Rover boasts perhaps the most opulent and regal interiors in its class, focusing on premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship of the highest order. It’s not just your eyes that perceive the expense, but also your nose and skin. As you bring your nose closer to the supple leather, the aromatic scent wafts up, mingling with the tactile sensation of its porous texture, which yields effortlessly to pressure, like a plush cloud. The wood-lined steering wheel proved surprisingly grippy, its textured leather-based grooves holding fast even under pressure. When warmed by use, it felt like embracing a handwarmer on a brisk winter’s morning, providing a sense of security and connection to the road.
While the exterior of this vehicle evokes a sense of kinship with the Land Rover Sport, its proportions and dimensions are noticeably elongated and refined, with luxurious flourishes applied to each panel and surface. Inside insulation harnesses cutting-edge noise-cancellation technology, effectively muffling cabin noise to an unprecedentedly low level. As you accelerate to a brisk pace and raise the windows, the cabin transforms into a pressure-tight capsule.
One notable characteristic of the Land Rover is its versatile seating arrangement. The generously cushioned seats invite you to sit up straight, offering the comfort of a living room sofa while maintaining ergonomic support through its adjustable armrest at the forefront and expansive window ledge on your left. With winged headrests elevated, you’ll reign supreme from your throne-like position atop the highway, enjoying unobstructed vistas in every direction – a hallmark of Land Rover’s unparalleled dominance, a feat that continues to elude its competitors.
The luxurious ambiance continues unabated in the rear compartment of this extended-wheelbase edition, where every seat is uniquely shaped and adjustable for optimal comfort. Notwithstanding the console’s ability to double as a central seat, its electronic operation proves frustratingly sluggish in execution. Can’t we just wait ten seconds for the console to decrease, then?
While the massaging seats provide a pleasant touch, they fall short in terms of potency, even at their maximum setting of five depths. Why don’t Land Rover’s designers take a seat in a Lincoln Navigator and experience the luxury of genuine massaging seats? The subtle hum of the device is often overlooked, with its gentle vibration barely noticeable even when fully activated. In the cooler compartment within the mid-console, temperatures will plummet, making it ideal for chilling beverages on a sweltering summer day; however, the storage cubby is compact and narrow, accommodating only one or two cans at most. We’re disappointed with the suede-wrapped gear shifter, as its soft surface is prone to unsightly stains and minor scratches that quickly detract from the overall aesthetic appeal of the vehicle’s interior. Perhaps adopting the Mercedes and Rolls-Royce approach to column-mounted gear shifting might indeed represent the most ergonomic solution.
The P530 trim remains unaltered, leveraging a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine supplied directly by BMW, producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover consistently excels as a highway cruiser, and its V8 powertrain makes it the most well-rounded and dynamic iteration yet. With its impressive acceleration, this long-wheelbase trim can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds, effortlessly pulling ahead as you accelerate, allowing for rapid progress without ever exceeding 5,000 rpm. However, when you drive gently in the Land Rover, it rewards that courtesy with a cosseting and relaxed drive, thanks to its seamless gear shifts and muted engine hum.
As I settle into the plush interior of the Vary Rover, it effortlessly devours the road ahead, melting away the tedium of a lengthy journey with its silky-smooth ride. With each passing kilometre, my commute transforms from a chore to a serene experience, leaving me feeling refreshed and revitalized upon arrival. The outgoing Land Rover Defender didn’t exactly excel in this department, but its successor has evolved to mirror the poise and elegance of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, despite boasting 23-inch wheels. Despite its size, the Vary handles well on winding highways, effortlessly managing its mass, yet still lacks the agility to tackle sharp turns with reckless abandon like a BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV, leaving you more likely to exit corners with a sense of cautious accomplishment rather than unbridled exhilaration.
The steering is eerily numb, lacking any subtle cues or hints, yet still manageable with a single finger’s gentle persuasion; even the slightest directional adjustments elicit no tangible response, as if the vehicle is floating effortlessly in its path. The innovative rear-wheel steering system effectively reduces the vehicle’s wheelbase, enhancing maneuverability and allowing for effortless navigation of tight underground spaces.
Land Rover’s flagship models command a premium price, but the value is justified by their impressive breadth of features, unwavering commitment to luxury, and attention to driving comfort. The autobiography is worth its weight in gold and luxury amenities, effortlessly melting pavement as it envelops drivers and occupants in a lavish cabin that exudes a sense of refined mastery. While cash may not guarantee happiness, it certainly does make the daily grind more comfortable.
Land Rover’s 2023 Range Rover P530 Long Wheelbase Autobiography: A Masterclass in Luxury and Performance.
Charente Gray
$193,750
$201,395
3,197
5,252 / 2,047 / 1,870
2,588
4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8
523 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,000 revolutions per minute.
The impressive torque of our engine: 553 lb-ft across a broad range of 1,800 to 4,600 rpm.
8-speed automated
Entrance engine, AWD
: 13.7
285/40R23 tires by Pirelli Scorpion Zero All-Season
