Range Rover Electric review: prototype EV faces first test
Land Rover will finally embark on its all-electric adventures with its flagship luxury SUV. And we’ve been for an early drive...
On sale Late 2026 Price from £150,000 (est)
Since the original of 1948, Land Rover has rarely been shy about pushing boundaries. The first Range Rover was the first off-roader with luxurious pretensions to go global. Yet even that pales into insignificance against the challenge of going fully electric.
It’s a task facing all car makers, but the Range Rover has a trickier job than most because, according to senior bosses, it “must be a Range Rover first, an EV second”. That means it must retain the refinement, luxury, practicality and versatility that makes it one of our favourite luxury SUVs, while still being the class of the field when it comes to off-road prowess.
Back to that ‘Range Rover first’ point. It doesn't wear its EV heart on its sleeve, because the only EV-related badging is on the 22in alloy wheels’ centre caps, and there will be a slightly revised front grille – although the prototype driven here has a regular one. The same applies inside, too, although there are the usual EV-specific display screens.
They’re important, because as you might expect from a vehicle with the complexity of an electric Range Rover, there’s quite a lot going on. Firstly, there’s a battery with a 118kWh total capacity which powers two motors, one on each axle. Then there’s a thermal management system which can heat or cool the interior, motors and batteries at temperatures as low as -15degC, delivering a 40% reduction in heating system energy consumption.
That big battery is mounted low in the floor to provide a low centre of gravity, and the only impact on interior or boot space is evidenced by the lack of a seven-seat option – because there would be nowhere to put third-row passengers’ feet. It will, however, be available in four- and five-seat versions, and both short and long wheelbases.
Our first experience behind the wheel was limited to some off-road exercises, but from the off, it’s the serenity that strikes first. We’re used to ultra-quiet EVs, but the Range Rover is seriously impressive in this regard. The second thing to notice is the controllability and tractability at low speeds: the delicacy with which it’s possible to meter out the torque is first rate.
The Electric’s computers are able to vary power to each wheel in a handful of milliseconds, meaning there’s virtually seamless power delivery to whichever wheels need it most. The car’s myriad control systems make this easy, indeed some clever integration with the regenerative braking means one pedal driving works on and off road.
We’ll need to wait to see how it performs on road at higher speeds, but in terms of performance, driving range and handling, Range Rover’s engineers are benchmarking their V8-powered versions. If they succeed in matching that, it should be mightily impressive.
A 10-80% charge will take around 20 minutes from a suitably powerful public charger at its maximum rate of 350kW, which compares well with the BMW iX’s 35mins at up to 195kW and Volvo EX90’s 30mins at 250kW. Land Rover won’t be drawn on a likely range, and that figure is still to be certified anyway, but it’ll need to cover more than 426 miles to beat the longest-range iX and 375 miles to better the EX90.
You’ll while away those miles in total comfort, of course, because the seating position and visibility remain first-rate. As with other Range Rovers, the quality is very good, although the (non-electric) Bentley Bentayga has the edge. It’s gloriously practical, too, and retains that split-folding tailgate that also serves brilliantly as a bench.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to be in-line with – or more than – petrol-powered V8 versions, meaning it’ll be on the far side of £150,000. Yet even at that price, the Range Rover Electric shows real promise against the likes of the five-star-rated BMW iX and the Volvo EX90.
Key facts
Range Rover Electric
Price £150,000 (est) Engine Two electric motors Power 542bhp Torque 634lb ft Gearbox 1-spd automatic Battery size 118kWh (usable) 0-62mph 4.5sec (est) Top speed 155mph (est) Official range 400 miles (est)
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