Sometimes more space just makes sense.
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It’s no secret we adore the full-size Range Rover here at SHARP, but saying that is a bit like saying “we love pizza,” or “we love Rolex watches.” The big Range Rover now comes in so many varieties — your choice of engine, seating, colour and trim, and even regular or extended wheelbase — that the bigger question is not whether to get a Range Rover, but which one?
On test this week in the SHARP Garage we have the five-seat Long Wheelbase (LWB) Range Rover P530 Autobiography. The price? Just over $200,000 including many tasty options. It’s a bit of a deep cut in the lineup, somewhere in the middle of the model range, but after driving it we can confirm this is absolutely the Range Rover to get for a family on the move.
The Long Wheelbase (LWB) is 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) longer than the Standard Wheelbase (SWB) model. That translates into extra second-row legroom, a lot more cargo space, and even more important: the option for a third row of seats. Only the LWB model can be configured with five or seven seats. The SWB is strictly a five-seater.
The sheer size of the stretched Range Rover means there’s always plenty of room inside. It’s like a home-away-from-home, a rolling apartment. Having trouble deciding what to bring on a trip? The LWB lets you bring it all.
In our experience, there’s less reason than ever not to opt for the bigger LWB model. A new rear-wheel steering system — which automatically turns the rear-wheels a few degrees based on steering input and speed — means the LWB is not as ungainly or difficult to maneuver in tight spaces as you might expect. (You don’t need a space the size of an airport runway to pull a u-turn, far from it.) In terms of handling, the differences between LWB and SWB are negligible, although the longer Rover does seem to float over the road a little better. In standard SE trim, the price premium for the LWB is around $34,000 but the added versatility is a major bonus in our eyes.
One of the best new features of this Range Rover is its ability to carry up to seven people. The old model was limited to five. But, we’ll be honest, the third row of seats isn’t the largest in-class. They’re fine for kids, but adults will feel a bit cramped back there. When that third-row isn’t in use the seats can be folded electronically with the push of a button. Do that and you’ve got a truly cavernous cargo hold, capable of hauling all the glamping gear or luggage a family could ever want.
Our test car was fitted with the five-seat Executive option, but in truth the seven-seat option is useful even if you think you’ll only use it very rarely.
Let’s make this easy: the SE is the base model, the Autobiography adds a whole heap of luxuries, and the SV is the ultimate Range Rover. The latter is a rival to the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The trade-off? The SV is not available with seven seats, although you wouldn’t want kids getting Cheerio dust into the finishes anyway.
With its lounge-like “Executive Class” rear seats, 24-way power adjustable heated and cooled front seats, Perlino perforated leather trim, our Autobiography-spec test car was deeply luxurious and beautifully finished.
The optional “SV Bespoke wood and leather steering wheel” deserves a special shout-out. Its matte finish is deliciously opulent and elevates the whole driving experience. That particular option, along the SV Bespoke extended leather package, is worth every penny.
Let us start by saying there’s an all-electric Range Rover set to be unveiled later this year, so you may want to hold out for that. It should be spectacular.
If you want a Range Rover right now, know that this British beast is not a lightweight machine so you’ll want plenty of grunt to get it moving. Engines on offer range from the 3.0-litre straight-six in the P400 mild hybrid, to the plug-in hybrid P550e, to a mild hybrid twin-turbo V8 available in two states of tune: the P530 has 530 horsepower while the P615 has — you guessed it — 615 horsepower.
If you’re the sort of driver with a short commute, but occasionally need to cover long journeys and have a place to plug-in your car at home, we’d suggest the P550e. Realistically, the P400 offers all the power you’d need for everyday driving duty. The P615 is obvious overkill. Our heart says go for the P530 which gives a lovely V8 thrum and an abundance of power. It’s not a frugal engine, but such a big SUV was never going to be especially frugal anyway. The best compliment we can pay the P530 engine fitted to our test car is that the motor became invisible; it was smooth and torquey and quiet and never got in the way.
The Range Rover P530 LWB Autobiography in five- or seven-seat configuration is surely the most versatile, useful, and family-friendly all-arounder in the company’s extensive lineup. Highly recommended.
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