2023 Range Rover new car review

There are few other cars on the road that can match this big SUV for luxury, performance and cutting edge technology.

2023 Range Rover

The Range Rover has long been the epitome of luxury off-roading but in recent years it’s been threatened by new rivals, including Bentley and Rolls Royce.

Here are five things you need to know about the new model.

The new Range Rover is at the front of the luxury field

The cabin oozes luxury

Very few brands blend cutting edge technology with traditional opulence as elegantly as Land Rover.

The new Range Rover combines twin digital screens and a head-up display with rich leather upholstery and authentic looking wood trim finishes.

The frameless, curved centre screen is both aesthetically pleasing and simple to navigate, with an intuitive menu layout and easy-to-read displays. The digital display in front of the driver can be configured to suit individual tastes; you can choose from traditional dials and gauges or a minimalist display with only the essential information.

A wireless charging pad is neatly tucked away in the dash, while there are enough USB ports to satisfy the most device-hungry families.

Ambient lighting in myriad colours adds a touch of theatre after dark.

It’s powered by a big beefy V8 engine.

Comfort is king

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more pleasant place to eat up the kilometres.

The big leather pews provide great support and on the Autobiography model, there is a massage function to ward off muscle stiffness on longer drives. Active noise cancellation technology monitors wheel and engine vibrations and emits a countersignal through the 35-speaker Meridian audio unit to keep the cabin whisper quiet, even at high speeds on coarse bitumen surfaces.

An air purification system filters odours and allergens out of the cabin, while the adaptive air suspension irons out all but the rudest of bumps.

At higher speeds the ride can feel a little floaty at times but you can stiffen up its reflexes by choosing dynamic mode.

The cabin quality is second to none.

Luxury isn’t cheap

Price increases for the new Rangie run into the tens of thousands.

The cheapest model is now close to $230,000 plus on-roads and prices rise steeply as you move up through the range.

Our test vehicle, the long-wheelbase, seven-seat Autobiography model was $312,193 plus on-roads before options. Bigger 23-inch wheels, a black roof, privacy glass and a domestic power point socket brought the total to $318,603 plus on-roads, which would set you back another $20,000 or so.

It is a big beast and can be daunting to navigate tight car parks.

Size has its pros and cons

The Range Rover’s generous proportions translate to limousine-like leg, head and shoulder room in the back seats but the big wagon can feel a little daunting to navigate through narrow city backstreets.

Four-wheel steering helps in this regard, though, as it tightens the turning circle dramatically. The third-row seats – the first offered in a Range Rover – are best suited to smaller children. On the plus side, they have their own USB ports, armrests and climate controls.

You can’t change the laws of physics

Engineers have done an admirable job of making the Range Rover feel smaller, lighter and more agile than a circa 2.7-tonne SUV should but it’s built for comfort rather than speed.

There’s plenty of grip on sweeping bends but on tighter corners you can feel it pitch and lean on its relatively soft suspension.

The 390kW, 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 is a cracker of an engine that will launch from standstill to 100km/h in less than five seconds. You’ll pay for that level of performance, though.

The official average fuel consumption figure is 11.8L/100km and you can manage as low as 9.5L/100km on the freeway but around town even the most sedate of driving will nudge consumption towards 20L/100km.

Then again, if you can afford a Range Rover, you can live with the associated fuel bills.

Originally published as 2023 Range Rover new car review