2019 Range Rover Vogue Test Drive Review

2019 Range Rover Vogue Review

Car Tested: 2019 Range Rover Vogue SE LWB Diesel V6; Road Test No. 1063; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 2,68,80,064/-

The Range Rover is an iconic luxury SUV with simply acres of space and powerful petrol and diesel engine options

I am a big fan of Range Rovers, who isn’t? I have driven all generations of this iconic SUV, including the prototype which didn’t have a body. The original luxury SUV which made others follow, the Range Rover got a shot in the arm last year and is excessive in every possible way, right from the size to the price. In fact, even reviewing the base Vogue trim doesn’t make us feel shortchanged in any way with quite a few essential bells and whistles missing in this particular model, still, this vehicle is hugely impressive, we tell you why.

Motor Quest: The first generation Range Rover was launched in 1970 and had a production lifespan of 25 years, it was followed by the second generation which too was a body on frame. The third-gen model shifted to a monocoque chassis and was developed by BMW, the initial models used the electricals of the E38 7-Series and E39 5-Series. The fourth generation model (L405) was launched in 2012.

Exteriors – The Range Rover LWB is massive and there are no two ways about it that this car looks properly intimidating. The long wheelbase version gives it a stately presence and the minimum use of creases and the boxy silhouette means the Range Rover can be identified as a Range Rover from a mile away. The Range Rover feels dominating but the design has a sense of elegance and sophistication to it. It does not look bland but neither does it have that ‘look at me’ face. It all works well, for the SUV relies heavily on its dimensions, subtle lines and the attention to detail to grab the attention of everyone on the road.

The simple and understated design language and the attention to detail gives the Range Rover an elegant look

In fact, the attention to detail is something else on the Range Rover. The Matrix headlamps, for instance, are so beautifully intricate, they look more like a sculpture. They light up so beautifully with one of the four elements lighting up before the whole light glows. The tail-lights have their own party trick where the lower portion of the brake light turn orange when the indicators are engaged. The Range Rover does without the oddly visible rear windscreen wiper, which is cleverly hidden in the hatch spoiler. The design as a whole feels properly British, in the sense, that it is the finer things which have the precedence.

Interiors – Getting in such a tall car is a bit of a trek. But once settled in the sumptuous seats overlooking the tech-loaded dashboard and the beautiful leather, it is hard not to be blown away. The seats to start with are ultra comfortable and they can be electrically adjusted. The front seats can be heated and cooled. The dashboard is dominated by two InControl Pro Duo touchscreens. We admit that in a cabin that exudes old-world charm, two touch screens look a bit of an overkill. But it is all matter of tech and once you start using them, you will be impressed by how quick they are to respond. The instrument cluster also combines crisp detailing giving you all sorts of information right in front of your eyes. This leather-wrapped steering wheel is a joy to use and the controls on it change with your commands.

The combination of leather and veneer gives the cabin a rich & sophisticated feel

The obsession with the finer things continues on the inside. From the soft-close doors to the impressively tactile controls, everything feels exquisite. The massive panoramic sunroof brings lots of fresh light into the cabin and it can be operated via gesture. The thick slabs of veneer and the beautiful stitching on the leather make this an interior that even Bentley owners would crave for.

The front is not even the best part. It is at the back of this long-wheelbase Range Rover where things get really lavish. The fact of the matter is that with large windows (with electric sunblinds), massive seats, quite a few dim lights, and the headrest-mounted entertainment screens, the back of the Range Rover feels more like an expensive suite in an English castle. You can also adjust the backrest electrically and you have dedicated wireless headphones to literally cut the world out. Space, you ask? There is acres of it at the rear. The LWB model is 200 mm longer in both length and wheelbase which means you have much more room to stretch out. Headroom is not a problem even to the tallest and with everything from the soundtrack, the choice of what you want to watch on the screens to the temperature preference is in your control. No wonder then that this will outdo even the first class seating in an airplane.

The Vogue has all the modern features along with a gigantic panoramic sunroof

This car is long and wide so Range Rover has offered multiple cameras along with lane departure warning to make driving this mammoth an easy task. You also get other goodies like automatic headlights, ambient lighting, wireless charging, etc., to make your life very convenient. The boot is suitably large and oh, you have that brilliant split-opening tailgate should you choose to watch a horse race or go fishing. You also get an alloy spare wheel neatly tucked under the carpeted cover with a full-sized tyre (no space saver here).

Performance – Before you even think of mashing the throttle, you have to get used to the massive dimensions of the Range Rover LWB. This SUV is available with 4 engine options in India, 2 each for petrol and diesel, our test car is powered by a 3.0-litre diesel V6 which outputs 255 HP and 600 Nm. Refinement levels are stellar, there is no way you will be able to tell that this is indeed a diesel engine, such is the level of NVH. As you rev it, the powerplant does sound sporty in the mid-range where the nose lifts a bit too. There is a Dynamic mode which tightens the suspension, holds onto gears longer and increases the heft on the steering wheel.

One can equip the Range Rover with a Supercharged V8 petrol engine should they desire more performance

The oil burner accelerates smoothly but there is low-end lag and a kick in the pants feel when the turbo kicks in, pulling the Range Rover with urgency, albeit the punch is a fist blow but doesn’t last long since the motor revs quickly and redlines under 4500 RPM, the 8-speed gearbox upshifting at just 4000 RPM for the most part. The transmission could have offered faster shifts, more so in S mode but it’s really the smoothness that shines here. You can manually change cogs using the steering mounted paddles but it won’t hold onto a gear and will upshift as it reaches the redline. The fuel tank capacity is around 85-litres and the fuel efficiency is between 5 to 8 km/l.

The Range Rover 3.0-litre diesel takes 8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/hr with a top speed of 209 km/hr. Want more performance? For an additional Rs. 30 lakhs, you can get the more powerful V8 diesel, the 4.4-litre powertrain offers 80 more horses at 355 HP and 740 Nm of torque but also weighs 200 kgs more. The result is a faster time to the ton by just half a second while the top speed increase is 8 km/hr. If you really want performance, the 5.0-litre Supercharged petrol V8 does 5.5 seconds to the ton and also has a 105-litre fuel tank to counter the 3 km/l mileage. Now you might wonder why Range Rovers are so gas guzzling and can you not get an efficient model? Although not in India but globally there is also a diesel-hybrid which will definitely be more popular here.

Driving Dynamics – The current generation Range Rover uses an aluminium monocoque (D7u) with aircraft level riveting for the construction. The suspension is on the softer side and the ride quality is just phenomenal. It simply floats on the roads and wafts along, giving a commanding driving position with the air suspension having quite a range of ride height variance (ground clearance can vary from 220 mm to 310 mm). In fact, off-road, the suspension travel is as much as 250 mm at the front and 300 mm at the rear. The brakes offer superb stopping power with nose dive well contained under heavy braking.

Apart from the body roll, the driving position and the response from the steering is extremely impressive

The Range Rover is a heavy car, this model tips the scales at 2400 kgs but you can’t feel all that weight as the steering is light at low speeds and weighs up quite well at high speeds, it’s just too responsive in the centre. Expectedly, there is a lot of roll around corners and this isn’t a vehicle to push around the twisties. The V8 models also get active lean software (Dynamic Response in Land Rover speak) while a host of technologies like active rear locking differential ensure optimum grip and Adaptive Dynamics monitors vehicle movement up to 500 times a second to reduce body movements. However, it’s far from being a dynamic SUV but the feel is just something else as you are the king of the road when driving the Range Rover, it makes all other cars look sub-4-metre.

Off-Road – No car can offer you Mercedes S-Class levels of luxury and Land Rover Defender levels of off-road ability but the Range Rover is the only exception. With a slew of off-road modes for various conditions like mud, ruts, snow, sand and of course All Terrain Progress Control which is like a cruise control for off-road situations (works up to 30 km/hr) and 900 mm of water wading capacity, the Range Rover can literally go anywhere while keeping occupants in the lap of luxury.

Safety – The Range Rover offers a slew of safety features including ABS, ESP, 360-degree surround camera, traction control, lane departure warning, traction control, multiple airbags and that tank-like build quality to keep you absolutely safe. The Range Rover has also scored top marks at Euro NCAP.

Verdict – The Range Rover is an SUV which is huge in size, features, comfort, luxury and even price. The range starts at Rs. 2.11 crores and goes all the way to Rs. 4.45 crores (our test car which is the Vogue SE costs Rs. 2.25 crores, all prices on-road Mumbai). With 10 variants on offer (3 SWB and 7 LWB), the petrol models cost more than the diesel. The diesels are more efficient than the petrols but still not what you’d call economical. The high price and equally staggering running costs seem to us a small burden for what still could be the most accomplished SUV in the world. It has set a high standard for luxury, is an effortless performer, takes you anywhere in top-notch comfort and has a brand image to die for. Simply put, the Range Rover is in a class of its own and if living life the king size is what you are after, this still remains a perfect SUV for you.

What’s Cool

* Massive dimensions, elegant design and iconic status
* Luxurious and splendid interiors with tonnes of space and comfort
* Refined diesel engine with sensational ride quality
* Can also go off-road and comes with a 5-star safety rating

What’s Not So Cool

* Body roll around corners
* Gearbox could have offered faster shifts

Alternatives: – Lexus LX, Mercedes-AMG G63, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, 1 BHK House In Mumbai

2019 Range Rover Vogue Specifications

* Engine: 2993cc, V6, Diesel
* Power: 255 HP @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 600 Nm @ 2000 RPM
* Transmission: 8-Speed AT
* Top Speed: 209 km/hr
* 0-100 km/hr: 8 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 5-8 km/l
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Tyre Size: 255/55/20 (Front & Rear)
* Suspension: Air Suspension (Front & Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front), Disc (Rear)
* Safety: 8 Airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP

2019 Range Rover Vogue Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 5199 mm X 2220 mm X 1868 mm
* Wheelbase: 3120 mm
* Turning Radius: 6.15-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 85-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2330 kgs

Testers’ Note:

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