The new Range Rover PHEV makes you feel like a king on the roads, and also be “friendlier” to nature.
Land Rover has always been a brand with a dual personality. On one hand, it’s the go-to for adventurers needing a vehicle capable of conquering the wildest terrains – think scaling rocky cliffs, fording rivers, or crossing the Sahara.
On the other hand, it’s often spotted in the driveways of football stars and celebrities.
But just because some Range Rovers are more likely to see the streets of Beverly Hills than the outback, doesn’t mean they lack substance. The Range Rover has a loyal fanbase that borders on the fanatic.
Whether they need its formidable capabilities or not, people are drawn to it, charmed by its blend of luxury and ruggedness. It’s the kind of car that creates serial owners, or at the very least, a deep-seated yearning to one day have one parked in the garage.
The Range Rover is also one of those rare vehicles that seem to defy the usual rules of the automotive industry. The previous model launched back in 2012, and even a decade later, it was still ticking all the boxes for its discerning, high-end clientele. That’s no small feat in an era where trends change faster than you can say “luxury SUV”.
But then you catch a glimpse of the new Range Rover (and only in its fifth generation, mind you, in 51 years) and you realise that not even this icon is immune to the relentless march of progress.
Technology and connectivity have become as crucial as horsepower and leather seats. And, of course, there’s the looming reality of climate change, which is no longer just a topic for debate but a pressing issue that demands attention, even from a brand as storied as Land Rover.
Thus, this plug-in hybrid variant was born, and it’s ready to meet the future head-on.
Smooth as silk
Immediatelly from the get go, it’s clear that Land Rover is aiming squarely at the top of the luxury automotive foodchain with this one.
Built on a fresh MLA-Flex chassis, this iteration of the Range Rover is now 50% stiffer than its predecessor, thanks to strategically placed high-tensile steel.
The suspension setup is where the magic happens; the Range Rover has fully independent air suspension with a new five-link rear axle and twin-valve dampers. Those massive 22-inch wheels might send a slight tremor through the chassis on sharp impacts, but for the most part, the ride is as smooth as silk.
The electric power steering is precise but light, and the ZF automatic gearbox remains as silky as ever. While it has a certain poise and body control, this isn’t a vehicle that enjoys being pushed hard around corners.
It’s much happier when you back off and let it do what it does best – delivering a sublime ride. Comfort mode felt like the right place to be.
What about the hybrid system?
What really sets this Range Rover apart, though, is its seamless integration of a hybrid system. The transition between electric and petrol power is so smooth you’d hardly notice it.
There’s enough electric range to make a real difference, and it can charge quickly enough (at 50kW DC) to make public charging a viable option.
Even after the battery is drained, the Range Rover still manages a respectable 8.9litres/100km, which is impressive given the luxury it’s lugging around. And if you keep that battery topped up, you’ll enjoy about 80 kilometres of electric range.
Speaking of, in electric mode, it’s easy to push the throttle too hard and kick the petrol engine into action. But that’s a small trade-off for the peace of mind that comes with lower emissions and the knowledge that electric power fits the Range Rover’s character so well.
And with a combined 542bhp and 800Nm of torque on tap, lugging around that extra battery weight doesn’t feel like a chore.
You’ll be hard pressed to find something else more comfortable
Refinement is the name of the game here. The Range Rover cocoons you from the outside world with the kind of serenity usually reserved for a Rolls-Royce.
Advanced speaker technology, combined with the car’s inherently solid chassis, provides a revised active noise cancellation system.
It monitors wheel vibrations, mechanical noise, and tyre hum, then uses the 1,600W Meridian audio system to send out a noise-cancelling signal. Oh, and did I mention there are 35 speakers, including four hidden in the headrests? Yes, 35.
It’s a bit of a pity that Singapore’s urban jungle doesn’t offer much in the way of off-road challenges. This meant the Range Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system, which automatically adjusts the various chassis settings remains untapped.
But even without the mud and rocks, this is an SUV that clearly knows its way around luxury.
This looks very posh
Indeed. The Range Rover cabin is a smorgasbord of plated metals, ceramics, mosaic marquetry, and contrasting colours.
The five-seat (though in most cases, the rear centre seat would be deployed) configuration offers a palatial amount of rear legroom, complete with massage functionality for the front folk.
Everywhere you look, the Range Rover’s interior exudes quality; there’s not a subpar switch or button in sight, save for the occasionally temperamental steering wheel controls.
The doors themselves close with a satisfying thud, and, borrowing a page from Rolls-Royce, they can even be specced with power assistance.
Driving position is as you expect – classic Range Rover, commanding and confident. But the modernity really shows in the technology. A new electrical architecture supports over-the-air updates and manages a staggering 69 individual ECUs that can handle nearly 23,000 network messages. It’s like driving The Matrix.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa voice AI are all integrated into the upgraded version of Pivi Pro, featuring a 13.1-inch touchscreen (the largest ever in a Land Rover).
The graphics are sharp, and the user interface is generally solid, though it doesn’t quite match the intuitive nature of Mercedes’ MBUX. Haptic feedback is an option, but it can slow things down a bit, so you might prefer to switch it off.
Land Rover, like many others, has overcomplicated the climate control system with screen-only controls, removing the rotary dials that used to adorn the centre console. Though they were fiddly to use, the dials were much more intuitive than the current fingerprint-smudged screen configuration.
As for the boot, it’s spacious without being cavernous, providing 1,050 litres with the seats up. The “Executive Class rear seats” do eat into that space a bit, but it’s still more than enough for most family needs.
It’s subtle, but still bold enough to notice
The Range Rover has shed its flashy trimmings and adopted a more refined, mature demeanor. Gone are the oversized intakes and bold bumpers, replaced by a sleek, sophisticated design that speaks with quieter confidence.
The exterior is cleaner than ever, with a smooth, almost gel-like finish that gives it a distinguished presence. Black gloss accents are thoughtfully placed throughout the exterior, enhancing its polished look.
And yes, those two shark fin antennas perched on top aren’t just for show, Land Rover has acknowledged they’re essential to handle the growing number of wireless connections that today’s vehicles demand.
Confidence in spades
This Range Rover exudes confidence, and rightly so. It may not be as dynamic as some of its luxury SUV counterparts, but that’s not its aim. The Range Rover exists in its own realm, not concerned with proving itself beyond what’s necessary.
If you’re in the market for one, this plug-in hybrid variant is the one to get. The integration of electric power feels like it was tailor-made for the Range Rover, and you can essentially run on standalone electrical power as long as a charger is within easy access.
After 50 years of perfecting the formula, Range Rover knows how to nail the brief.
Technical Specifications
Range Rover Plug-In Hybrid
Engine: 3.0-litre In-line 6-cylinder, Twin-charged
Power: 542 hp
Torque: 800 Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 5.0 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 71.5 litres
Battery Capacity: 31.8kWh
Price: S$806,888 excluding COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Land Rover Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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