The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover sticks to what it does best: dizzying luxury with true off-road ability. The headline news is the addition of a hybrid powertrain, which means the Range Rover can add fuel efficiency to its bag of superlatives.
What's New for 2019
The big addition for 2019 is a brand-new hybrid powertrain, the P400e. Otherwise, the car returns mostly unchanged, with minor tweaks like upgraded cruise control.
Choosing Your Land Rover Range Rover
Choosing a Range Rover has never been so intricate. The SUV comes with four powertrains (two of which have multiple power output options), short- and long-wheelbase forms, and five trim options. That’s before the plethora of packages and options that Land Rover provides.
The engines begin with a humble 3.0-liter supercharged V6 producing 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. In this form the engine only comes on the Base trim, but an up-rated version with 380 hp can power the HSE.
Next up is the torque-heavy turbodiesel, a 3.0-liter V6 making 254 hp and 442 lb-ft. This engine is available on the Base and HSE trims and offers a reasonable 7,716 pounds of towing capacity. Mileage is estimated at 22/28/24.
The performance option is a hefty 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Again, two power outputs are available: either 518 hp and 460 lb-ft, or the full 557 hp and 516 lb-ft. The latter is available only on the top trim.
Last but most exciting is the P400e plug-in hybrid. A 105 kW motor joins a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for a total power output of 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The battery pack is good for 31 miles of silent driving. Mileage hasn’t been tested yet, but expect it to be good over short journeys and less inspiring outside the battery range.
The many luxury options are divided among the trims, of which there are five: Base, HSE, Supercharged, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography.
Base
Starting at $89,855, the base Range limits options but still offers plenty of luxury. The long wheelbase is not available, and neither are the V8 or hybrid powertrains. It does have heated front seats, a Meridian sound system, leather upholstery, a sliding panoramic roof, a hands-free tailgate, lane departure warnings, and three-zone climate control. All Range Rovers also get the Terrain Response system, which selects driving mode by surface and dials in throttle, gear, and suspension changes.
Even the base model gets no less than seven major packages. The first two add safety features. The Drive Package ($410) includes traffic sign recognition, adaptive speed limiter, blind-spot monitoring, and driver condition monitoring. Drive Pro ($2,170) adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, and blind-spot assistance on top.
The next two packages cover parking. The basic Park Package ($585) provides 360-degree parking aids, rear-traffic monitoring, and an exit monitor. The Park Pro Package ($1,405) adds a parking assist onto those features.
If you’d rather bundle all the safety and parking features together, they come conveniently packed into the Driver Assist Package for $4,790.
Up next is the Vision Assist Package ($1,785), which includes premium LED headlights, a head-up display, configurable ambient lighting, and fog lights. Finally, an Entertainment Package ($3,455) adds a CD/DVD player, surround-sound system, power outlet, and eight-inch rear entertainment screen.
Significant standalone options include beefed up versions of the Terrain Response system, many elements from the safety and parking packages, and a few goodies like four-zone climate control ($410) and a front console cooler ($355).
HSE
The HSE trim means a significant price increase (starting price jumps to $95,045), but features expand as well. The rims grow to 20 inches, and the seats are 20-way power adjustable. The Park and Drive packages come standard. Also standard are Windsor leather seats, soft door close, and power-reclining heated rear seats.
The only new package is a Signature Entertainment Package, which costs less than the (still available) Entertainment Package at $2,375. It includes the CD/DVD player, power outlet, and a larger 20-inch rear screen, but ditches the surround-sound audio. For $2,090, front-seat passengers can enjoy a massage function in their seats. Other packages and options remain the same.
Supercharged
Starting at $105,845, the Range Rover Supercharged is the first to unlock a long-wheelbase body (which costs $4,045 extra). A dynamic suspension helps control the power from the mighty V8, and an optional rear differential ($1,120) locks and unlocks automatically based on conditions. Otherwise, equipment and options are mostly the same as the HSE trim, with the exception of the wheels, which swell to 21 inches. Options and packages remain the same as well.
Autobiography
The Autobiography trim raises starting price all the way to $142,990 ($149,290 for long-wheelbase models). For the money, buyers get the V8 engine, the long-wheelbase body, and a sumptuous cabin. The upgrades start in the mechanicals, where the top Terrain Response system and the active rear differential are standard.
Inside, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, four-zone automatic climate control, a 1,700 Watt sound system, and all the safety features except adaptive cruise control are standard. Front massage seats are also standard, but for $2,650 buyer unlock enhanced massage functions and even more adjustability. $6,220 takes the rear seats to maximum luxury as well, including a heated calf rest and foot-warmer. Most packages and options are standard on this trim, with the sole exception of the Driver Assist Package (which adds back adaptive cruise control for $400).
SVAutobiography
If the Autobiography wasn’t enough, the SVAutobiography (starting at $178,195, or $208,895 for the stretch) adds exclusivity and maximum opulence. Aesthetic upgrades include unique 21-inch wheels, illuminated tread plates and pedals, and dark exterior accents. A new dynamic suspension irons out any remaining kinks in the ride. The top-of-the-line seats, both front and rear, are standard and boast a unique stitching pattern in the semi-aniline leather. Driver Assist (here including only adaptive cruise control) remains the only optional package at $400. Almost all standalone options are either included or no-cost options.
Unless you’re in the financial league of European royalty, the HSE is the best trim for the money. The Range Rover is capable without the huge V8, and the HSE adds plenty of luxury and technology while keeping prices near $100,000.