2021 (21) Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 P400 Vogue 4dr Auto

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

So many cars claim to be unique but the Range Rover really is, a car that continued to set the standard in the super-luxury SUV sector in its fourth generation form. Launched in 2012, then substantially improved in 2018 to create the model we're going to look at here, this aluminium-bodied 'L405'-series design offered the option of Plug-in hybrid power and, in all its guises, claimed to be able to properly combine the imperious qualities of a top luxury saloon with off piste abilities that would be limited only by the skills of its driver. A Rolls Royce in the rough, there's nothing quite like it.

History

Sometimes, being the best just isn't good enough. Take the Range Rover. With a pedigree over four distinct generations going all the way back to 1970, it's always been, without question, the 'finest 4x4xfar'. Yet the challenges remain. How to remain the world's leading luxury SUV while appearing credibly eco-centric? How to make further forays into the market for super luxury saloons against rivals that don't have to be able cross the Congo or see you through Siberia? And how to reach out to a whole new group of buyers from both segments who would never previously have considered a Range Rover? This improved fourth generation model was tasked with doing all this - and much more. An extreme challenge certainly - but then this model line is well used to those. Over the decades, we've driven them all over the world, from Icelandic glaciers to the Australian wilderness, from up in the Colorado Rockies to downtown in Beverly Hills. But even we were wondering how on earth the brand might meet the fresh and testing demands of a very different era. This 'L405'-series MK4 model, first launched back in 2012, offered an insight into how the Solihull maker planned to reinterpret the Range Rover formula for a fresh generation of buyers and deal with those challenges. Like the Seventies original, it was clearly revolutionary - and for very much the same reason. A lightweight aluminium body structure set Spencer King's very first Range Rover apart over half a century ago and this plutocratic SUV model's adoption of much the same thing gave this car a credible shot at all its stated goals. The lighter bodyweight meant it could be larger, faster and more responsive at the same time as being more efficient, cheaper to run and better equipped. All of this was important in justifying this car's 'Super-Luxury' SUV status that positioned it a cut above the ordinary large luxury 4x4s that Solihull targeted with its lesser Range Rover Sport. The Range Rover pioneered this rarified segment, but by the 21st century's second decade, it no longer had it to itself, following fresh class arrivals from Bentley, Lamborghini and Mercedes. In response, Land Rover significantly updated this iconic model for the 2018 year with an all-new interior, extra safety and infotainment technology and, perhaps most importantly, the option of a Plug-in petrol/electric powertrain. As a result, this flagship Range Rover model line could claim a lighter eco-footprint, a properly limousine-like rear cabin and performance that, with the right engineering package, could even approach that of a super-saloon. And yes, it'll be even better if you're setting off across the Serengeti or exploring the Amazon. It sold until the arrival of the fifth generation model in late 2021.

What You Get

This is every inch a Range Rover. You'd know it as such even without a glance at the elegant badge work. Which is as it should be. Gerry McGovern's design team committed early on to protect the visual characteristics that have always made this car what it is: the wrap-around clamshell bonnet; the deep glass area; the low waist and straight side feature line with no wedge or step up in side styling; the close wheel arch cuts; and the two-piece tailgate. Specific changes made to this model for the 2018 model year mainly centre around the revised front grille (Land Rover had to redesign it to allow for the insertion of the charging port needed for the new PHEV model). The bumper was subtly re-styled too, featuring widened vent blades. You'd be disappointed if you didn't have to climb up into a Range Rover - that's part of its appeal. Seated commandingly up-front amongst the beautiful leathers, polished metal, deep pile carpet and glossy surfacing, you'll find yourself in a cabin that looks as classy and cosseting as you'd want. This post-2018 model featured clean, elegant controls, wider re-designed leather seats and the improved 'Touch Pro Duo' infotainment system we first saw on the Velar, complete with its two high-definition 10-inch central touchscreens. Anything that Panasonic-developed set-up can't tell you will almost certainly be covered off by the digitally customisable 12.3-inch so-called 'Interactive Driver Display' you view through the imposing four-spoke stitched multi-function wheel. And the rear? Well this was an important area for Land Rover to get right in this car, hence the 42mm of extra wheelbase length added into this fourth generation model. Even in the short wheelbase model, it's easy to get comfortable once inside, with (as standard) heated upholstery and a powered reclining backrest for longer journeys. There's over a metre of leg-stretching room - and you can extend that by a further 186mm if you go for the long wheelbase body style. As usual with a Range Rover, there's a classic split tailgate, which is power-operated and gesture-controlled with a wave of your foot beneath the bumper. Once activated, a 909-litre luggage bay is revealed. You'll get a little less if you go for the PHEV variant, but the space available still out-shines what's on offer from many key rivals and is very accessible thanks to buttons which can activate the air suspension to lower the floor height. More buttons electronically flatten the rear seat backs, freeing up as much as 2,360-litres of cargo room.

What to Look For

Most of the serious problems with the 'L405'-series fourth generation Range Rover were restricted to early pre-2015 models. These issues tended to be in the electrical and body fit areas. Throughout though, the SDV8 4.4-litre diesel V8 has proved to be a slightly more reliable choice in comparison to the smaller 3.0-litre TD V6 diesel unit. The V8 diesel doesn't suffer from the smaller engine's crankshaft bearing issues, nor does it need an expensive timing belt. We have come across issues though, across the available engines with things like EGR valves and turbos that have exhibited breather oil leaks. Getting a new modified breather pipe fitted could cost you up to £850. One owner reported exhaust fumes entering the cabin when the air conditioning was put into auto mode. Plus we've heard of fuel tank sensor faults. Overall, though, the engines seem to be decently reliable. We have heard of owners who complained that occasionally the car's rotary gearshift knob didn't pop up. If you're planning to keep the car for a while, it's recommended that you should carry out a transfer box and diff oil change at 30,000 miles to avoid future problems. Otherwise, the issues tend to be niggly little things. Poor bonnet and boot alignment for example; alignment issues with the rear doors; poorly fitted rubber trim around the doors; and leather on the seats being loose and ill-fitted. Don't believe misleading reports suggesting that things like brake discs, brake pads and wiper blades wear quickly: they're actually pretty durable. What else? Well check if a tow bar has been fitted and also check the tyres for odd wear patterns. Although the Range Rover Sport is very capable off road, there are limits to its ground clearance, so inspect the underside for signs of damage to the suspension, exhaust and front valance. The volume TDV6 diesel engine is a tough unit and if you're test driving the car on a cold day, don't be worried if the Stop/Start system fails to kick in. The engine is programmed to keep running at temperatures below three degrees Celsius.

Replacement Parts

(based on 2018 Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 - approx excl. VAT) A fuel filter costs in the £124 bracket and an air filter will cost around £38. An oil filter will be in the £23 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £65 to £123 bracket. For rear brake pads, think around £64. Front brake discs are around £106. A wiper blade will be around £7. A pollen filter will be in the £10-£42 bracket. An LED tail lamp will cost around £470.

On the Road

On the move in a Range Rover, luxury, comfort, refinement, craftsmanship and outright performance all fuse together as part of this car's imperious progress, whether that be on-turf or on-tarmac. All the available powertrains offer exemplary refinement, but should you select one that adds in electrified assistance, then as you might imagine, this car is particularly quiet. We're referring here to the petrol/electric hybrid engine used in the P400e variant. This version may only have four cylinders, but it boasts a combined power output of 404hp, a claimed all-electric driving range of 31 miles and running cost figures (101mpg on the combined cycle (NEDC) and a WLTP CO2 reading of 73g/km) that are better than a Toyota Prius. Never fear: if you don't feel the need to make some sort of corporate responsibility statement, then more conventional powerplants are still available. Most buyers select one of the diesels, either the base 258hp TDV6 or the 339hp SDV8. There's also a couple of minority-interest supercharged petrol models, either a 340hp 3.0 V6 or a 5.0-litre V8 developing either 525 or 565hp. Whatever your choice of engine, you might find yourself surprised by how adeptly this car tackles tarmac turns at speed - but of course the 2.5-tonne kerb weight has to tell somewhere. So it's better to throttle back, enjoy the commanding driving position and amaze yourself at how easy it is to thread this five metre-long and two metre-wide luxury conveyance down a narrow British country lane. Or indeed down a gnarly forest track. Intelligent 4WD, a low ratio gearbox and Land Rover's peerless 'Terrain Response' driving modes system all combine to preserve this model's reputation for Serengeti superiority. No other vehicle takes this much pride in going where it probably shouldn't.

Overall

From princes to politicians, from rock gods to rock climbers, from footballers to farmers, the Range Rover has always appealed to a more diverse group of customers than any other car. As you'd expect it would. This is, after all, far more than just the world's most recognisable Super Luxury SUV. It pioneered the concept of creating four vehicles within one - an exclusive luxury saloon, a weekend leisure vehicle, a high-performance long distance private jet and a working cross-country conveyance. Of course, such perfection doesn't come without a price, in origin or in ownership. Or without compromise - in poorer handling for example against, say, a super saloon. And in tighter rear cabin space against, say, a luxury limousine. Perhaps that's why you've never previously considered one of these. Maybe you've never driven this fourth generation Range Rover model. If so, consider this if you happen to have the requisite sum to spend on a luxury vehicle of this kind. Sophisticated aluminium underpinnings enabled the creation of a car that's surprisingly sharp to drive, ravishing in the rear and more efficient than you might expect. In short, it might well change your perception of Range Rover motoring. Drive this car through a river, drive it to the opera: it's as happy either way, beautifully built, gorgeously finished and - with the right engine - astonishingly quick. True, this improved fourth generation Range Rover is never quite going to be all things to all people, but it has perhaps moved as close to fulfilling that remit as any modern car is ever likely to get. Makes you proud to be British doesn't it.