2022 Range Rover SE P530 LWB Review

In contrast to its performance-obsessed German rivals, the Range Rover remains an icon in understated luxury

Reputations are difficult to overcome. The Suzuki Samurai's rugged charm was overshadowed by its poor safety ratings. The Mazda MX-5 will always be the punch line of jokes about hairdresser's cars. Land Rover cannot escape the stigma of reliability troubles from decades past. That’s a shame, because the latest Range Rover flagship is a hidden gem.

The Rover I became acquainted with was optioned with the SE P530 trim, which includes a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. I found these figures refreshingly modest in comparison with rival luxury haulers and was surprised to locate no efforts toward sharpness other than the obligatory sport driving mode.

Tradition triumphs over trends in the Range Rover philosophy. The classy SUV is packed with impressive all-terrain capability that most owners will likely never realize. For one, the Range Rover has a transfer case with high and low range. It also has drive modes such as Mud & Ruts and Rock Crawl, trail cameras at various perspectives, and a wade mode for water crossings up to 35.4 inches deep. These features have no role in making the Range Rover a better luxury SUV outside of Super Bowl commercials, yet they remain key players in keeping an icon … well, iconic.

This philosophy remains true visually. Dare say the Range Rover represents one of the best evolutions in automotive design? Its shape is unmistakable by silhouette, and its lines have only become simplified over time. The model has become more massive with every generation, yet its gargantuan size is visually discreet. Every line in its sheet metal seems to nod toward its predecessors. In an era of monstrous grilles and busy bodywork, simplicity stands out.

Inside, the Range Rover holds the simplest of interiors. Important controls remain physical while the rest are accessed via a responsive 13.1-inch touchscreen. The interior options , but it’s easy on the eyes. The front-row seats are nothing special but comfortable, while the second and third rows are a bit firm. I expected some gain for the long-wheelbase model other than increased legroom and door length, but that's it. The doors of this SUV are some of the largest out there.

Behind the wheel, the Rover is nothing less than smooth. The V-8 purrs quietly unless provoked, while the transmission operates discreetly. A 0–60 sprint occurs in just under five seconds. Despite its 23-inch rims, the air suspension performs well on rough pavement, though I would recommend opting for a shorter set. I thoroughly enjoyed wafting along mountain roads with great outward visibility of the scenery.

Despite an excellently isolated cabin, I found the isolation of my inputs bothersome. The Range Rover’s steering is incredibly light, offering little feedback. The SUV also steers its rear wheels opposite its front, so steering input to output was difficult to predict. The same is true for both the go and stop pedals. The throttle was oddly mapped in such a way that made it feel either in a state of turbo lag or too punchy, while the brake pedal required concentration for smooth stops.

I find the Range Rover more charming than its German rivals primarily because it isn’t compromised in luxury. While those SUVs chase lap times and quarter-mile sprints, the Range Rover watches smugly from the sideline, sure of itself. The Range Rover doesn’t have to worry about a split personality because nobody demands that it be glued to a corner, nor does it need racy looks to validate its owners. Its sole mission is to continue a legacy of handsome, classy, and capable luxury.