Test driving the Range Rover LR-TDV6

The Range Rover is quintessentially British, wafting its occupants along in sublime splendour. Angus Davis has an elevated driving experience…

Jaguar Land Rover may be owned by the Indian conglomerate, Tata group, but the Range Rover still feels as quintessentially British as afternoon tea at The Ritz. The SUV (sports utility vehicle) is coveted by many for the way it wafts along on a higher plane, with its occupants sitting comfortably above other road users.    The darling of city dwellers and country folk alike, the Range Rover is often the chosen transport for royalty and the glitterati, making the car the preserve of high society both figuratively and literally. There are even photographs of the Queen sitting behind the wheel of a Range Rover – now that’s a top-notch endorsement!

A SENCE OF OCCASION. I recently sampled this motoring legend first hand when I drove the LR-TDV6, the entry-level engine, paired with the Autobiography trim (the most luxurious specification).    Entering the cabin of the Range Rover, my senses were initially overwhelmed with the pleasant smell of semi-aniline leather and a factory-fresh newness I never fail to appreciate. My test vehicle featured the Grand Black wood veneer, which added a note of modernity to proceedings.    This is a car that delivers a sense of theatre with much of its specification. Starting the engine causes a cylindrical shaped gear selector to emerge from the dashboard, usurping the perfunctory and denoting a sense of occasion. The dashboard eschews the conventional for state of the art TFT/LCD instruments, which look incredible and deliver peerless legibility.    The seats within the Range Rover bestow sumptuous comfort with armchair-like amenity. The space behind the driver’s seat, adjusted to suit my 6’ 4” frame, meant a similar sized individual positioned behind would have their knees touching the back of the seat. However, a long wheelbase version provides the solution with an additional 186mm of legroom. Nevertheless, for the majority of would-be buyers the standard wheelbase car should prove sufficiently commodious.

AN SUV RELEVANT FOR TODAY. There has been much discussion in the media about the wisdom of SUVs, especially within an urban context. Concerns have been expressed about the scale of some vehicles and their impact on the environment. However, this car has an aluminium body, mitigating mass. Whilst the Range Rover remains no featherweight, weighing 2160kg in standard form, on the combined cycle it delivers an acceptable 37.7mpg and its CO2 emissions are 196g/km. Indeed, these figures certainly help to assuage any sense of guilt.    A fundamental benefit of the size and design of the Range Rover is the authoritative presence it has on the road. Visibility is excellent and there is a welcome sense of safety when driving this vehicle.    Clearly, a potential disadvantage of size, once on the open road, is manoeuvrability. However, despite measuring nearly 5m in overall length, the Range Rover remains easy to drive and its handling proves very impressive, especially considering its height. Moreover, it smooths out any undulations in the road surface, granting limousine-like levels of ride comfort. The set up of the Range Rover rewards the driver with good feedback, despite its leviathan proportions.    Would-be buyers have a broad choice of engines from which to choose, including two diesel variants, a supercharged petrol engine and a virtuous hybrid option with low emissions and parsimonious thirst.    The 3.0 litre TDV6 I drove had an impressive engine, with lots of torque and a swift turn of speed, accelerating from rest to 60mph in 7.4 seconds. The engine acquitted itself well at all times with no obvious turbo-lag. Moreover, the engine never intrudes on the serenity of the cabin.

A BREADTH OF TALENTS. Clearly, part of the appeal of a Range Rover is its go-anywhere ability. I have not driven the current model off-road but I have driven its predecessor and can still recall ascending and descending gradients, which at first glance seemed foolhardy. Yet, despite any anxieties I may have felt, the large SUV handled all obstacles with jaw-dropping aplomb. I have heard it said that Land Rover makes the finest four-wheel drive vehicles; my experience leads me to wholeheartedly agree with this claim.    The latest Autobiography features Terrain Response® 2, which automatically appraises the driving conditions of the vehicle and adjusts its settings accordingly. Few cars offer such a degree of versatility, whether traversing muddy fields, driving along urban roads or covering huge distances on motorways.    The seats can be folded to accommodate huge quantities of family paraphernalia. With the rear seats folded forward, the standard Range Rover has a massive 2,030 litres of volume.    The interior’s luxurious design grants this car an amazing sense of grandeur. A myriad of electronic gizmos come as standard, including parking aids and a user-friendly satellite navigation system. However, with a plethora of factory fit options available to indulge any additional whim, the latest Range Rover has something for everyone.    As winter approaches and the risk of treacherous journeys rears its head, the wisdom of driving a vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive and an array of electronic driver aids seems well placed. The benefits of driving a Range Rover when facing arduous weather conditions are manifest.

BUILT TO LAST. I scrutinised panel gaps, closed doors whilst seeking a welcome thud and tried switchgear repeatedly in order to validate the sense of quality offered. Rest assured, everything felt hewn from granite with a notable degree of solidity. The Range Rover is clearly built to last. The current generation Range Rover was launched in 2012 and has become an increasingly familiar sight on British roads, despite a starting price of £73,950. This car feels like a solid, long-term investment that won’t let you down.    Ultimately, I find myself struggling to find any area to criticise. Indeed, the Range Rover is remarkably accomplished in every area.