One of the best, and easily the toughest, limousines around.
2016 Range Rover Supercharged LWB
How to max and relax in the great outdoors
Web2Carz Editor-In-Chief
Published: February 19th, 2016
In 2013, Land Rover sought to redo their venerable top tier range rover by making it pretty much better in every way. Lighter, faster and more efficient, it also managed to retain the classic Range Rover ethos while making its interior and exterior more attractive. The copious use of aluminum in the body and chassis improved structural rigidity and curb weight and the Range Rover also got the versatile and very usable Terrain Response 2 driving system. It was a package that was hard to pass up, especially for those who wanted it all. We drove it in Utah during its debut, and it was a revelation, commanding rocks, sand and crazy inclines in street tires, it was like a regal mountain goat. On road, it was stupendous.
As if all this wasn't enough. In 2014, Land Rover made a bigger one. A long wheelbase version that stretched it 7.8 inches, providing rear-seat passengers with lounging space galore. We recently drove the big SUV and came away with quite a bit to talk about.
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Exterior: The same only way longer
The only way you can tell the difference between the LWB version and the standard length SUV is to look at them from the profile angle. The front and the rear are identical. In spite of the 10-inch longer body, the LWB still manages to look lean and trim thanks to the revised body that eschews overstyling that's so popular these days.
- The LWB looks long and lean and carries the Range Rover ethos well in spite of its colossal size.
- The long rear overhang make it look a bit imbalanced in profile view.
- The darker the paint job, the smaller the car looks. Avoid white, unless you really want to be noticed.
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Interior: More is always more
The interior remains a luxurious but simply designed cabin, which we love. It's not about myriad finishes and crazy angles but about Brit sophistication without the garish opulence. The seats are very comfortable without being soft and cushy, with plenty of support under hard driving. The second row is absolutely the draw of this car, making it one of the most versatile limos money can buy.
- Ingress and egress are excellent from both first and second rows.
- Seating and visibility are pretty much perfect for driver and passengers.
- Why other SUVs don't do full double armrests for the front row is beyond us.
- You can haul just about anything in this beast.
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Driving Impressions: It can thread the needle quite well
To call this monster fast is an understatement. Power is pretty much immediate, and it's all bolstered by very precise steering and minimal body roll for a car of this size. The chassis instills huge amounts of confidence, and it causes a fair amount of alarm from bystanders because it shouldn't be this quick and haul a storage unit's worth of crap.
- Hurtling through highway traffic feels completely natural with the steering and chassis that other SUVs would kill for.
- It feels smaller the faster you drive it, and apexes are quite surprisingly dispatched with ease.
- The lack of any substantial body roll defies the laws of physics.
- Linear torque is matched with time-bending acceleration.
- You'll actually want to use the paddle shifters for this bad boy.
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Final Impressions: It does so much so incredibly well
We weren't sure what to think of this behemoth when it showed up. How could it possibly improve on an already great formula? Wouldn't its sheer size ruin the recipe? We could not have been more wrong since it gives this regal ride the space it deserves. It swallows passengers, baby seats, groceries, furniture and pretty much everything else you can think of without a hiccup. The fact that it's got gobs of on demand power and handling and steering better than some sports sedans is positively ridiculous. It's a vehicle that makes no sense until you actually get behind the wheel.
$100K+ is a ludicrous amount of money for a vehicle, but this is one that's well worth the cost of admission. Not only can it handle the toughest of conditions out there, it does it with supreme comfort and space, as well as real driving prowess. If you've got the funds and want something that can do it all, this might just be your 4x4. -
Specifications & Price
Engine: 5.0-liter Supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout: Front-engine, full-time four wheel drive
Power Output: 510 hp / 461 lb-ft of torque
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city / 19 mpg highway
Base Price: $108,195
As Tested: $119,661 (including $995 inland transportation fee)
Options on our tester: Four Zone Climate Pack without Cooler Box: 4 Zone Climate Control, Front Massage Seats, REar Climate Seats, Power REar Seats w/ Recline, Lumbar and Fold w/ Intelligent Seat Cargo Mode; Vision Assist Package: Config. Mood Lighting, Surround Camera System, Adaptive Xenon Headlamps w/ Automatic High Beam Adjust, Blind Spot Monitor w/ Closing Vehicle Sensing and Reverse Traffic Detection; Rover Tow Package: Hitch Receiver with Electrical Connector, Full Size Spare and Active Rear Locking Diff; Meridian Premium Audio 825W, Leather Steering Wheel, Waitomo Grey Paint, Range Rover Long Wheelbase Protection Package
• For more information such as specs, prices, and photos of the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover, click here: 2016 Land Rover Range Rover.