What does it cost?
Land Rover Range Rover 4x4 full 9 point review
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Performance
There are two engine options – a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol and a 4.4-litre V8 turbodiesel. The petrol engine is particularly quick because it produces a whopping 503bhp, but the 309bhp diesel is also capable of shifting the Range Rover's substantial bulk with impressive pace. The petrol comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard, while the diesel's box has eight speeds.
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Ride & Handling
Considering its abilities off-road, the Range Rover does an amazing job of protecting its passengers from rutted Tarmac - it’s a 4x4 limo. Some clever adaptive suspension technology means it rides superbly and the shortage of body lean is amazing for such a tall, heavy car.
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Refinement
The Range Rover's petrol engine is smooth and quiet, aside from an appealing whine from the supercharger when you accelerate hard. With the diesel, only a low-rev grumble and faint burble from the four-wheel-drive system enter the cabin. Road noise is well filtered out, but the Range Rover's large, upright body creates some wind noise at motorway pace.
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Buying & Owning
You can expect big bills whether you're a private owner or a business user. There's no surprise the petrol engine's emissions push it into the top company car tax band, but the diesel is in the same category. Both engines have a thirst for fuel, while maintenance and insurance costs will be high. You can get discounts on the list price, and you’ll need to because resale values aren’t especially strong.
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Quality & Reliability
The Range Rover’s issues with reliability have been well documented over the years, and although things have improved, we’d still exercise a healthy amount of caution where reliability is concerned. There’s no faulting the interior quality, though, which is simply stunning.
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Safety & Security
The standard safety kit includes seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knees), electronic brakeforce distribution and stability control. Security kit is equally comprehensive and incorporates laminated side glass, which has safety, security and comfort benefits.
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Behind The Wheel
You perch throne-like in the Range Rover’s driving seat and enjoy excellent visibility and fine comfort. There’s a wealth of adjustment on both seat and steering wheel, allowing drivers of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable. The major controls are simple to use, but some of the smaller ones are fiddly.
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Space & Practicality
The Range Rover is a large car, but clambering into the back isn’t as easy as you’d imagine. All five passengers get decent leg- and headroom, if not quite that of a luxury saloon. The boot is big, though, and it has a useful horizontally split tailgate.
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Equipment
Diesel buyers can choose from Westminster and Autobiography trim levels, but the petrol-engined model comes in only Autobiography. All versions are lavishly specced, with cruise and climate controls, a CD multichanger, DAB radio, Bluetooth, a parking camera, metallic paint, alloy wheels and leather trim.
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Land Rover Range Rover 4x4 4.4 TDV8 Vogue 5dr
Our favourite Range Rover. All the important luxuries are included in the price of the Vogue, and the TDV8 makes you wonder why anyone buys the petrol.
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