2014 Range Rover Hybrid Review - Cruiser or Bruiser?

Kinja'd!!! "Road Magazine" (roadmag)
12/21/2013 at 18:31 • Filed to: None

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Aahh, the Range Rover, a rugged and capable automobile that has the ability to take on the toughest of mountains… Or is it?

It seems Range Rover has a new priority in mind, which is not to climb the tallest mountain in the world (although it jolly-well can), but to take the luxury car segment by storm.

The new 2013 Range Rover is up competing with the likes of the Bentley Flying Spur, Mercedes-Benz S Class and even the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It seems then, Range Rover have played their cards right.

We had the opportunity to test the Range Rover in its all-new Hybrid variant.

Performance

When someone mentions the word 'Hybrid', you never associate it with 'Performance' unless it's an inter-galactic super-sonic missile like the McLaren P1 or the Porsche 918.

However, although the Range Rover is a big ol' beast, it still packs a lovely torquey punch from its 3.0L SDV6 Diesel engine.

Combined, the Range Rover Hybrid produces a peak output of around 340hp and a torque figure of 700Nm allowing it to accelerate from 0-60 in just 6.5 seconds. That's pretty impressive considering it's 2394kg kerb weight.

On the note of weight, the entire hybrid system including the batteries adds less than 120kg to the cars' weight. That is all irrelevant until you hear it only weighs 22kg more than the Range Rover Sport Hybrid.

The bottom line is, this car wasn't made to do 0-60mph in 0.1 seconds, but engineered for inter-continent commutes. We think it's the ultimate cruising machine.

Economy

Now we're in the Range Rover Hybrid's comfort zone.

The Range Rover Hybrid produces a combined figure of 44.1mpg and emits just 169g/km of CO2. Again, that's all irrelevant till you start factoring the fact that the base engine (TDV6) produces a combined figure of 37.7mpg and emits 196g/km of CO2.

The car also comes with a button called 'EV' . This is where the magic begins as explained by our friends at speedmonkey.co.uk -

EV mode allows the RR Hybrid to be driven up to 30mph for about a mile on the electric 35kW battery, perfect for creeping up your driveway at 3am.

Interior

The Range Rover has been labeled a luxury vehicle over the years, but this time, that understates this cars' outright opulence.

There is lovely leather absolutely everywhere, on the dash, seats, center console, steering, door panels and even down below the seats. It's not just any leather you find in Mercedes' or BMW's, this is sumptuously soft leather which oozes luxury.

The seats are supportive, the steering is lovely to hold and the center console is full of rich veneer.

You could spend hours in the Range Rover and never get tired or bored.

Exterior

The exterior is typical Range Rover, mahusive where it matters yet retaining elegance and finesse in its design.

JLR has done a fantastic job on making the new Range Rover look modern and elegant as it had some big boots to fill with the old Rangie'.

Verdict

It really does succeed on being a successful Range Rover, it's great off road, yet great on road. It's definitely one of our all time SUV favourites.

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DISCUSSION (8)


Kinja'd!!! The Dummy Gummy > Road Magazine
12/19/2013 at 21:07

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Wow that is a gorgeous car. The first picture seems kind of like its out of the future. It also seems to have a Children of Men feel. It's late... my minds wondering.


Kinja'd!!! Foxrower > Road Magazine
12/29/2013 at 22:09

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Would be interesting to see what they will be able to do for the RR hybird in a few years when the technology improves.


Kinja'd!!! highpsi > Road Magazine
12/30/2013 at 17:13

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Will this make it to the US?

I love RR's but the combination of high price, low reliability and abysmal mpg prevents me from thinking about it much.


Kinja'd!!! Road Magazine > highpsi
12/30/2013 at 17:20

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JLR believes the US Market will descend on it in mass numbers. It definitely will make it to the US.


Kinja'd!!! highpsi > Road Magazine
12/30/2013 at 17:36

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Thanks. For an SUV I think 6.5 0-60 is more than adequate. With 35+ mpg, I would actually daily drive this in five years when I can get a used one.


Kinja'd!!! Road Magazine > highpsi
12/30/2013 at 17:44

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It'd probably be the most relaxing daily driver you will ever drive. The steering is just classically smooth, the throttle is responsive and the ride is sublimely comfortable. Would I recommend it to you? Almost definitely.


Kinja'd!!! SpeedSix > Road Magazine
01/04/2014 at 16:33

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"Inter-continent commutes"

*Disclaimer - only possible when under warranty. If warranty expires, you will not be able to afford the parts to keep it going cross-continents.


Kinja'd!!! Road Magazine > SpeedSix
01/04/2014 at 16:39

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Lol! I think Range Rover's are passed the stage of reliability issues.