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2021 Land Rover Range Rover
Starting at: $93,350
Highs Regal on-road presence, luxurious interior, many powertrains to choose from.
Lows Boatlike driving experience, cubby storage is limited, nearly six-figure starting price.
Verdict Few SUVs are as desirable, as capable, and as revered as the iconic Range Rover.
Overview
Originally conceived as a tool for getting work done around the farm, the Range Rover has had quite the glow-up since its introduction in 1970, and it’s now viewed as a luxury-lined limo for the stylish elite. As such, its accommodations have gone from spartan to opulent, and the 2021 model is the most luxurious Range Rover yet. Fine leather, real wood trim, plush carpets, and a host of convenient features deck out every one of the Range Rover’s many trims. Lower-end models offer quiet comfort while the high-end SV Autobiography models are a performance pageant headlined by a burbling 557-hp supercharged V-8 engine. What’s the price for all this sumptuousness? Well, the Range Rover lineup starts just under the six-figure mark, and that’s before you get into the plethora of optional features and customization choices.
What’s New for 2021?
Land Rover is launching three special editions of the Range Rover this year, the first being the Fifty Edition that celebrates the 50thanniversary of the flagship SUV. Only 1970 (naturally) examples will be produced, all based on the luxurious Autobiography trim level but featuring unique exterior design features and 50thAnniversary badging. The Westminster Edition is based on the HSE trim level and won’t be as limited in number. Buyers of this midrange model will have their choice between the Range Rover’s standard inline-six or the more powerful supercharged V-8 engine. The Westminster also receives unique wheels and a fancier exterior trim treatment; inside, occupants are treated to walnut wood finishes, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heat and ventilation, a refrigerated compartment between the front seats, soft-close doors, and a 19-speaker Meridian stereo system. The high-performance SV Autobiography model also receives its own special edition for 2021 called the Dynamic Black Edition. This package darkens the exterior and interior trim, adds gloss-black-painted 22-inch wheels, and is available only in Santorini Black Metallic paint.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Base: $93,350
HSE: $97,130
Westminster Edition: $104,850
Autobiography: $131,350
Fifty Edition: $149,850
SV Autobiography: $180,850
The new Westminster Edition model seems to represent a good value even though it starts with a six-figure price. We’d also suggest upgrading to the long-wheelbase model for an additional $14,000 because it not only offers extra rear-seat legroom, but its proportions are slightly more elegant. It also happens to live in the middle range between the lower-end base model and the ridiculously pricey SV Autobiography. Land Rover only fits a V-8 engine to the longer models, but that’s the engine we’d prefer anyway. In addition to the Westminster’s features listed above, buyers can expect three-zone automatic climate control, a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, 21-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and Windsor leather seat upholstery.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Range Rover has four basic powertrain lineups, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses: Entry-level models are powered by a turbocharged inline-six that is assisted by a small electric motor for a mild-hybrid setup, while top-of-the-line models feature a raucous supercharged V-8. A diesel V-6 is also available as is a plug-in hybrid. Every Range Rover comes standard with a selectable all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. We don’t have recent test numbers for a Range Rover with the standard inline-six; the diesel Range Rover we tested in 2016 delivered acceptable but relaxed acceleration times. The V-8, on the other hand, delivers shockingly quick acceleration, and even the most committed environmentalists will have to admit it sounds glorious. Sporty SV Autobiography models do a surprisingly good job of controlling body roll, but fore-aft pitch is a problem across the lineup. It drives well enough if not pressed, but compared for over-the-road agility against high-performance SUVs such as the BMW X5 M and the Mercedes-AMG GLS63, the Land Rover is downright sloppy. We’re willing to forgive some of these handling deficiencies when we consider the Range Rover’s off-road abilities, which remain stellar.
Read More https://www.caranddriver.com/land-rover/range-rover
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