The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover features improved communications and technology, but the big news is a plug-in hybrid that can travel for 31 miles in zero-emission electric mode. That's in addition to the already efficient diesel model, making this hulking SUV a solid choice for customers with different powertrain needs and desires.
What's New for 2018
A facelifted exterior revives some of the Range Rover's chiseled looks, while the cabin gets new tech and infotainment equipment. A new plug-in hybrid model brings a dose of the 21st century while a 557-horsepower SVAutobiography Dynamic trim keeps the 20th century alive in Great Britain's most popular SUV.
Choosing Your Land Rover Range Rover
Choosing a Range Rover can be daunting, with a huge variety of engines and specifications. There are four powertrain options, two of which offer varying power outputs, as well as long and short-wheelbase bodies, and five separate trim levels. That's in addition to the huge variety of interior upholstery options and a range of exterior paint shades ranging in price from free to the nearly $9,200 SVO Premium options (not to mention the contrasting roof colors).
The base engine is a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 with 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It's only available with the base Range Rover trim and returns 17 miles per gallon city, 23 highway, and 19 combined. This same engine is available with 380 hp and the same torque output and fuel economy figures on the Range Rover HSE.
If torque is what you're looking for, a 3.0-liter, twin-turbodiesel V6 promises 254 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. It's available on base Range Rover and Range Rover HSE, although we can't tell you how efficient it will be – Uncle Sam hasn't gotten around to evaluating the diesel or the V8 models.
If you need more power, Land Rover continues to offer its lovely 5.0-liter supercharged V8. There's a 518-hp version that pumps out 460 lb-ft of torque. Available on the Range Rover Supercharged and Autobiography and on both the short- and long-wheelbase bodies, it's a charming engine. More charming, and more powerful, is the SVAutobiography Dynamic's take on the trusty 5.0-liter, which produces 557 hp and 516 lb-ft and helps hustle the range-topping Range to 60 in just 5.1 seconds.
Finally, the new P400e plug-in hybrid pairs a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor to generate 398 system hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while a battery pack allows 31 miles of all-electric range.
Base
Available in standard wheelbase only, the Range Rover offers 16-way, heated front seats in a cabin including three-zone climate control and a Meridian sound system. Land Rover’s Terrain Response off-road system is also included for the $88,345 (including the $995 destination charge) base price. It selects the most suitable driving mode for the road surface, changing throttle responses, gear changes and air suspension settings automatically. The extensive options list includes dozens of upgrades and seven combined packs, with the Drive Pack (adaptive speed limiter, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition and driver condition monitor) costing a modest $410. The Drive Pro Package adds lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control to that mix, but boosts the price to $2,040.
Similarly, there are Park and Park Pro Packages, with the latter building on the former. The base package costs $585 and adds front, rear, and side parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a passenger warning system that alerts second-row occupants to approaching traffic when opening the doors. The Park Pro Package costs $1,405 and adds automatic parking to that mix.
The Vision Assist Package adds LED headlights with automatic high beams, an impressive head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and driver-selectable ambient lighting. It rings up at $2,400. The $3,455 Entertainment Package adds the usual rear-seat entertainment system, but adds an upgraded Meridian surround audio system. A $1,605 Towing Package adds a whole suite of features dedicated to towing, in addition to Land Rover's bracelet-like Active Key, which allows owners to take part in outdoor activities without worrying about losing their car keys. Features like the rear-seat entertainment system, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control are also available as standalone features.
HSE
The Range Rover's HSE starts at $95,045 but adds 40 more horsepower and both the Park and Drive Packages from the base model as standard. That's in addition to a panoramic sliding roof, a tailgate that closes with the wave of a hand, 20-way heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an uprated infotainment system. You'll also get 20-inch wheels to the base model's 19s.
For $305, owners can add a ventilation function to the front seats as well as a heat and power-recline function to the second row. For another $305, rear-seat ventilation is available, while $2,090 replaces the standard chairs with 22-way front seats with a massage function in addition to all the second-row goodies.
A $2,375 Signature Entertainment Package is less expensive than the still-available Entertainment Package, but there's a trade off. You'll get a larger rear display – ten inches versus eight – but this pack doesn't include the uprated audio system. Aside from that addition, the packages and standalone options on the Range Rover HSE are identical to the base model.
Supercharged
The first trim that's available in both standard and long-wheelbase varieties, for $105,845 and $109,890, respectively, the Range Rover Supercharged brings 505 hp to Land Rover's flagship. A dynamic response system governs the supercharged engine’s extra power, keeping the Range Rover flat and stable in the corners. Aside from the engine, its standard equipment list is broadly similar to the Range Rover HSE, but with 21-inch wheels in place of the HSE's 20s.
Most of the optional packages are the same, too, although owners intent on going off-road will want to add the $1,120 rear differential, which locks and unlocks automatically based on driving conditions. That's the main improvement over lesser Range Rovers.
Autobiography
The Autobiography starts at $141,995 for the short-wheelbase model and $148,295 for the long-wheelbase trim. But for that sum, not only do you get the 518-hp supercharged engine, but a much more luxurious cabin. A wood-and-leather steering wheel, four-zone climate control, 20-way heated front seats, a 1,700-watt Meridien audio system, and an entire suite of active safety systems come standard.
The most important available upgrades surround the seats. The same $2,090 massage upgrade is available on the Autobiography, but for $2,650, owners can grab 24-way massaging front seats with upgraded rear seats that offer an even greater range of adjustment and their own massage function. For $4,795, you can get all that plus a heated calf/foot rest behind the passenger's seat. If you're a chauffeur with an overworked boss, this is probably what you'll want to drive.
The Autobiography gets functional changes, too. The active rear differential from the Supercharged is standard, as is the upgraded Terrain Response 2 package. Option packages are limited to the Signature Entertainment Package and a few small, standalone items.
SVAutobiography
This is the only model available with the 557-hp version of Jaguar Land Rover's 5.0-liter, supercharged V8. Prices start at $178,195 in standard or $208,895 in long-wheelbase form. But for this exclusive Range Rover, it's worth it.
SVAutobiography detailing includes illuminated tread plates and pedals, while red brake calipers nestle behind 21-inch five-spoke alloys. Dark gray exterior accents are exclusive to the SVAutobiography, as is a unique suspension tune designed to elevate this high-riding SUV to limo-like status. The interior upholstery gets an exclusive diamond-stitch pattern (an even ritzier pattern is available as an option). A word of advice – if you have your heart set on the SVAutobiography, grab the long-wheelbase Range Rover. It offers a much greater variety of interior color schemes, with 10 to the short-wheelbase model's four.
With a fully loaded interior including a Meridian sound system and 24-way massaging front seats, the only options are a power tailgate that extends out of the car and two rear-facing outdoor event seats. These cost $5,455 and $5,815 respectively and are limited to the long-wheelbase model.
Unless Bentley-style luxury is a priority, stick with HSE trim. Its 380-hp 3.0-liter V6 is powerful enough for most people, and the specifications are impressive but not excessive. An MRSP of under $95,000 means it’s less than half the price of a long-wheelbase SVAutobiography.