Conquering the Wilderness 

SUVs have always been able to go anywhere, but they haven’t always been able to do everything. The Land Rover Range Rover was one of the first SUVs that was just as comfortable ferrying kids to school and sitting in traffic as it was conquering the wilderness, and the 2016 Range Rover is just as capable of multi-tasking as ever.

Performance

The 2016 Range Rover is offered with three powertrain options that provide plenty of off-road capability, plus smooth on-road performance.

The standard engine is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that produces 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. All Range Rover models use an eight-speed automatic transmission with permanent four-wheel drive. While the Range Rover is still a fairly hefty vehicle, it can still move. Land Rover says the V6 model will do 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds (7.4 seconds for long-wheelbase versions) and reach a top speed of 130 mph. It will also return an EPA-rated 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway).*

There’s also a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, with 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the Range Rover will do 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds (5.5 seconds for long-wheelbase versions), and reach a top speed of 140 mph. It also gets 19 mpg combined (14 mpg city, 16 mpg highway).*

Land Rover now offers a diesel engine in the Range Rover for the first time in the U.S. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 produces 254 hp and a stout 440 lb-ft of torque. It will get the Range Rover to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph, so performance is comparable to the gasoline V6. Like all diesels, though, there’s a significant fuel-economy benefit. Official fuel economy figures are impressive, with the diesel-powered Range Rover earning an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined (22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway).* 

What separates the Range Rover from most SUVs is its genuine off-road ability. It includes important hardware like a two-speed transfer case with low range and center and rear locking differentials. There are also electronics that can help any driver make the most of the vehicle. Land Rover’s Terrain Response system uses onboard sensors to analyze conditions and adjust vehicle behavior accordingly. Altogether, it’s a remarkably capable suite of systems that puts the driver in full control without complicating things. 

Features 

The 2016 Land Rover Range Rover is a five-door, five-seat full-size luxury SUV. It’s available in both short and long-wheelbase form, with five trim levels between the two versions. Pricing starts at $84,950.**

The Range Rover is Land Rover’s flagship, so it’s not surprising that even the base model comes with a long list of standard features. That includes 19-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, the Terrain Response system, navigation, leather seats (front seats heated), heated adjustable power mirrors, 13-speaker Meridian audio system, infotainment system with 8.0-inch touchscreen display, Xenon automatic headlights, and a hands-free, gesture-controlled power tailgate.

The Range Rover HSE includes all of the standard equipment form the base model, and adds a sliding panoramic roof, full Oxford perforated leather seating, 14-way power-adjustable front seats with memory, heated rear seats, four-way tilt front headrests, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, front climate seats with adjustable bolsters, soft door closing, and a “twin-blade” sun visor.

Both gasoline Range Rover engines are supercharged, but the Range Rover Supercharged is only available with the 5.0-liter V8. In addition to the bigger motor, it adds a more sophisticated version of the Terrain Response system, plus fog lights, stainless steel pedals, and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The penultimate Range Rover model is the Autobiography, which competes with the best luxury vehicles with features like a 29-speaker Meridian Signature Reference 3D surround-sound system, four-zone climate control, full semi-aniline leather seating, power-adjustable rear seats, rear-seat entertainment system, and greater options for personalization.

Finally, the SVAutobiography adds even more bespoke touches, courtesy of Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division. That includes a rear console with deployable tables, USB ports, and a chiller compartment, 20-way adjustable front seats, two individual, fully power-adjustable rear seats with lumbar massage, full perforated leather headliner, and some special trim touches.

Design 

The 2016 Range Rover maintains the chiseled looks of previous models, but with some updates to keep it current and impart an upscale feel. It uses an aluminum-intensive platform to save weight and improve agility. A distinctive headlight and grille design, side gills, and square roofline with split-folding tailgate make this instantly recognizable as a Range Rover, but detail changes and sculpting make it the most aerodynamic Range Rover ever, with a coefficient of 0.34.

The interior combines the ruggedness of a traditional SUV with the opulence of a luxury car. There are three grades of leather and three styles of wood veneer, all sourced sustainably. Aluminum and other metal trim elements nicely accent everything. Controls and the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 8.0-inch touchscreen display are designed and positioned to be intuitive as possible, and make the cabin look quite elegant.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full complement of airbags. Optional features include a surround camera system, parking assist, Reverse Traffic Detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.

Verdict

The 2016 Land Rover Range Rover has all of the capability of a traditional SUV, but with the comfortable cabin and upscale features of the best luxury cars.

For more information, or to schedule a test drive, contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516. 

*All figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage may vary.

**Price shown is Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price includes $995 destination/handling charge and may include optional equipment but excludes tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. 

Image Credit: Land Rover