Land Rover Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 340 hp Vogue, road test (Exterior design, interior and finishes)

We’re still behind the wheel of the Land Rover Range Rover and for the past few days we’ve been telling you everything about this luxury 4×4, one of the few that can still be called a proper 4×4 in today’s market, where SUVs proliferate. We tested the Range Rover with the most powerful diesel engine, the 340 hp V8, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Everything about the powerful engine, performance and off-road behaviour we covered in the first part of the test. Now in this second part we’re going to analyse the exterior design and the refreshed interior, as well as the space it offers occupants and the quality of the materials.

Exterior design

The generational change is noticeable on the outside, but it still keeps the main lines of the previous generation – and partly traditional ones – updating the design with more subtle, rounded and modern changes.

At the front, the traditional, robust look of a Range Rover is still present, but now the new headlights stand out, incorporating LED technology for the daytime running lights and a larger grille that adds a modern touch. The novelty is also evident in the vents below the headlights and the design of the fog lights.

On the side, besides the large 20-inch alloy wheels fitted to our test unit, the straight line running from the front to the rear stands out, as does a generous glazed area (the windows are considerably sized). Several lines at door height create a design similar to gills, and the chrome lower line puts the final touch on the side design.

At the rear we again find minor changes, but along the same path seen so far. That is, subtle renewals that blend traditional design with new technologies. The lights use LED technology and extend from the side of the vehicle.

A practical detail is the double-opening tailgate, estate-style, and the most curious thing is that, being electric, both halves of the tailgate open and close automatically – a true premium touch.

But this fourth generation has also lost weight, the development was practically from scratch and the Land Rover engineers opted for a new monocoque chassis that replaces steel with aluminium, achieving a weight reduction of 420 kg.

Interior design, space and build quality

Inside,

the quality, the finishes and the overall space offered to occupants remain intact. But the design has been completely renewed, offering a dashboard very similar to the one debuted by the Range Rover Evoque. A clean dashboard in shapes and buttons, where the 8-inch touchscreen central display is the star.

Even some climate control functions are handled via the touchscreen (such as the control for the heated seats or the air direction).

Among the novelties of the fourth generation, the instrumentation stands out, the change has been radical – goodbye analogue and welcome to the digital era – since all the instrumentation is digital and in colour.

The driving position is high and comfortable, the large steering wheel is quite thin and has electric adjustment and is heated. Visibility is good, even to the rear and sides, thanks to a large glazed surface. I was struck that the armrests pay a nod to tradition, since besides the central box, the front seats have an adjustable armrest, the typical one of Land Rover with a wheel underneath to adjust it.

In the rear seats, there is more than enough space for three adults, and our unit also had air vents (as standard) and an automatic, independent climate control for the rear seats. As there is no raised central tunnel, the passenger in the middle seat can travel comfortably.

At the back, the only difference from a large premium saloon (such as an A8 or S-Class) is that in the Range Rover you sit higher, but otherwise there is plenty of room for feet and head. And the seats are practically armchairs. They have electric backrest adjustment, and can also be folded down with several buttons from the boot itself.

As I mentioned at the start, the quality is at the level its price warrants, with details such as the glovebox compartments, all lined internally with soft materials so that we never touch bare plastic. But the glossy black interior trim – a modern touch – is not recommended for practicality. Tastes are tastes, but it is not practical. Being glossy, it gets dirty much faster, scratches very easily and fingerprints show up at the slightest touch.

Perhaps I’m being old-fashioned, but I would have preferred the classic wood that the Range Rover always had. That said, if you’re thinking of buying one, you can optionally choose from an extensive catalogue of materials and finishes for the interior.

Boot and storage

In terms of storage, the different solutions this Range Rover offers are worth highlighting. It has a double glovebox, a large central storage box, door pockets and cup holders in the centre console.

The

boot is spacious (550 litres) but it is shallow, and the loading lip is raised so heavy objects must be lifted in. The practical side comes from the double-opening boot tailgate (fully electric).

In the third part we will review the safety equipment, both standard and the optional items on our test unit. Finally we will close this test with the prices of the Range Rover and our verdict.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadLand Rover Range Rover25 versions · from 149,250 €