Range Rover 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography review

"The Range Rover is more car than anyone could ever need"

What is it?
The Range Rover is the daddy of the SUV world. Thanks to its blend of stunning on- and off-road ability, style and luxury, there are very few cars that manage to offer so much. And now the best has got even better thanks to new engines and even more technology.

[Click here to watch our video review]

What’s it like on the outside?
The Range Rover is a handsome beast, so it’s not a big surprise to find that design boss Gerry McGovern didn’t fiddle with the Range Rover’s looks too much. At the front, the Rangie gets subtly tweaked headlights, which now have LED driving lights and new three-finger indicators. There’s also a new, more upright three-bar grille and redesigned front bumper, while at the side, a new three-straked side vent is the only change. The rear lights also gain three-finger indicators, and that’s about it.

What’s it like on the inside?
Having one of the best interiors in the business to begin with, the Range Rover’s new interior is fantastic. To boost luxury, the materials have been upgraded and the Rangie now gets a “European leather” headlining. Range Rover’s also get a twin-view satnav screen, which means the driver can see the nav while the passenger can watch TV on the same screen. The driver also gets fully virtual dials which slide in and out on a 12-inch TFT screen. It looks great – and you even get a poncey picture of a sunset when you switch off the engine.

What’s it like to drive?
The Range Rover has a driving position that all cars aspire to. You sit up high with a fantastic view all round, enabling you to place the car on the road with ease. It’s super-refined and quiet at all speeds too.

The new 5.0-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet is brilliant, offering up more than enough performance – it takes the same 5.9 seconds to get from 0-62mph as Ford Focus RS. Other stats of note include the fact that the 510hp engine is 29% more powerful than the unit it replaces, but fuel consumption improves by 7.3% to 19mpg, and CO2 reduces to 348g/km, an improvement 7.4%. It’s still not particularly virtuous, but the effortless way it covers ground on road is impressive.

The Range Rover is the best off road car that Land Rover makes, bar the Defender. And there’s something awesome about taking a £75grand car off road, but the Range Rover is rarely troubled. The revised Terrain Response system gets you out of trouble and the new Hill Decent Control deals with the steepest slopes with no bother.

Verdict
The 2010 Range Rover is truly a case of the best gets better. It’s even more capable and comfortable on the road, and there’s no other off-roader than comes close to its stunning all-terrain ability. Add in the fact that it has one of the best interiors of any car on sale today, and the top-spec Range Rover really takes some beating.

Car Specs - Range Rover 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography

We rate:
Stunning on and off the road
Awesome interior

We slate:
I can't afford one
Still pretty thirsty

Rating:

By Tom Phillips