What is the best Range Rover?
Range Rover has built on its success by providing luxury elegant vehicles – but which Range Rover model is the best?
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Range Rovers are incredibly desirable SUVs that blend together Land Rover’s expertise in creating genuinely capable off-roaders with true luxury.
Though part of Land Rover, Range Rovers are often regarded as their own models and there’s now a choice of four to pick from, ranging from a mid-size SUV all the way up to a large, executive SUV.
With so many to choose from, you may be wondering what distinguishes them. Below, we outline some key selling points to help you in your quest for your ideal Range Rover.
Is the Evoque the best Range Rover model?
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The Range Rover Evoque is a compact luxury SUV that’s built on the same platform as the Jaguar E-Pace, which makes it quite fun to drive for a large crossover.
It’s also similar in size to the Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 but looks much sportier because of its sloping roofline.
Although you’ll typically see Evoque models in and around cities, they’re among the most capable small SUVs for off-roading – as you’d expect, being a Range Rover product.
You’ll have to scout out a 4x4 model, however, because many were sold with front-wheel drive to boost efficiency.
The majority use a 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engine, with newer models getting mild hybrid assistance to reduce emissions and boost mpg.
If you have access to a home charger, the plug-in hybrid (badged P300e) offers the opportunity of seriously reduced running costs. It can do around 30-40 miles on electricity alone between charges.
Standard equipment is great but varies by model. The latest Range Rover Evoque has luxuries like electrically adjustable seats, a digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera as standard, even on entry-level S models.
Both the first-generation model, introduced in 2011, and the second-generation Evoque, on sale from 2019, were awarded five-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP, further adding to their appeal as family cars.
Which Range Rover is best: is it the Sport?
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The Range Rover Sport is a much larger car than the Evoque and is more similar in size to the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne.
It’s the only Range Rover model available as a seven-seater – except for the new and expensive 2022-onward Range Rover – though the rearmost seats are best used only by children.
These versions are also less popular, so if you’re after a luxurious seven-seater, you may want to consider the equally desirable Land Rover Discovery.
There have been several versions of the Range Rover Sport but the most commonly available model is the second-generation model, which was available from 2013 to 2022.
Newer third-generation models are becoming more readily available to used buyers, however.
Despite its large size, the Range Rover Sport is available with an economical 2.0-litre diesel engine or as a plug-in hybrid, which uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine.
These, and the 3.0-litre V6 diesels, are the most common, though you will find larger V8 engines including a 5.0-litre petrol with up to 575hp.
This is among the most capable of Range Rovers off-road because it has a lot of ground clearance. Its short overhangs also make it good at entering and exiting steep hills, while a built-in depth sensor can make sure the flooded road you’re driving through isn’t too deep.
Is a Velar the best Range Rover to buy used?
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Though fairly similar in size to the Range Rover Sport, the Velar looks more similar to the sporty-looking Evoque.
It sits between the two models in the company’s lineup but is more closely priced to the Range Rover Sport.
It was introduced in 2017 and quickly gained in popularity for its sleek, stylish looks and high level of equipment and technology, including a multi-display setup on the dashboard.
It’s available with many of the same engines as the Range Rover Sport, though because of its luxury looks, the V6 diesels are more popular.
The Velar also benefits from the same Terrain Response 2 system as other modern Land Rovers and Range Rovers, which consists of a range of driving modes that use the car’s four-wheel-drive system to overcome off-roading obstacles like mud, sand, and rocks.
The Range Rover Velar was awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, with strong scores across all sections, including adult and child occupant protection.
Range Rover: is this the largest model?
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The flagship Range Rover model is just called the Range Rover, and it’s an SUV alternative to seriously luxurious cars like the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series.
Until the launch of the fifth-generation model in 2022, it was only available with five seats, or – in very rare instances – with four large, comfortable seats.
The new model brought along the option for seven seats, but it remains very expensive to buy, even used.
The fourth-generation Range Rover is not overshadowed by the newer model, though, because it’s extremely comfortable and quiet on the go, and is filled with top-notch car tech.
It’s just as capable as the other Range Rover models off-road, however, most buyers tend never to leave the tarmac in these highly desirable SUVs.
Most go for the 3.0-litre V6 diesels, which are best for efficiency, but you’ll find plenty of 4.4-litre V8 diesels to pick from, too.
The plug-in hybrid promises high mpg figures, but the reality is that you’d have to charge it regularly to reap the rewards.
The 2022-onward model can do up to around 70 miles on electric power alone, but the large 38.2kWh battery is bigger than you’d find in some small electric cars.