We’ve already had our hands on the new Range Rover and Ward already came to the conclusion that it was a worthy replacement for the old King. Now, the king also comes with 7 seats which changes a few things.
For the first time, the Range Rover is available with 7 seats. To get the 7 seats, you’re always looking at the long-wheelbase version. The 7-seat configuration limits some engine configurations but we’ll get back to that later. The long wheelbase adds 200 mm to the car's total length; all of that extra length can be found in the second seating row. You’ll spot a long-wheelbase Range Rover easily from the long doors in the back.
Power with new levels of efficiency
The Range Rover comes with similar flavors in engines as previously, but further developed. The hybrid options have gotten a lot more battery assistance to further improve efficiency. However, the 7-seat Range Rover sacrifices the space for the hybrid battery in favor of the extra 2 seats in the back. So that leaves you with a handful of diesel and petrol options.
In the case of the Range Rover we have in front of us today, it is powered by a 530 hp V8. But gone is the 5.0L supercharged V8 that we all love. The new V8 is a 4.4L one with 2 turbos slapped onto it in a hot-V layout. Switching from a supercharged forced induction to turbocharges was a logical choice. As much as we love the old V8, it produced too much CO2 and consumed too much petrol.
In our review of the old Range Rover SV Autobiography, we noted that the best fuel consumption we got with the old V8 in a similarly sized car was 14L/100 km but over the full week we drove around the average crept up to 16-17L/100 km. That’s where the new V8 really shines as we found that over a week of driving it, we got it as low as 10L/100 km with an average of 11.5L/100 km, so we can already see a massive reduction in consumption compared to the old one.
In terms of throttle response, the twin-scroll turbos still spool up immensely fast and the wave of torque generated really pushes you forwards. I am still more of a fan of diesels in large SUVs as they are more efficient and provide all the torque you need but this V8 is a great option for certain markets.
Autobiography trim
Inside is where the Range Rover has changed when comparing it to the previous generation. Ward has already discussed the interior in his review last year but there are a few things that are different in this 7-Seat Autobiography configuration.
On the infotainment side, we have some extra controls to move the seats around. It’s quite cool to be able to control all individual seats from the infotainment screen or when you want to drop all of the rear seats you can do that at the touch of a button and reveal a hugely large trunk space of 2.050 liters.
In the interior, every detail exudes opulence and sophistication, creating a truly lavish driving experience. The cabin is adorned with the finest materials, boasting sumptuous leather upholstery and handcrafted stitching. The attention to detail is unrivaled, evident in the meticulously designed floating dashboard, and center console. All feature rich, soft-touch materials. All passengers are treated to comfort beyond compare with plush, ergonomic seating that can be customized to their preferences. Even when sitting in the 3rd row there’s plenty of space and comfort, thanks to similarly plush heated seats.
Float like a king
The suspension is truly in a class of its own. When I set off at first I thought it was fitted with 21-inch wheels because of how well it rode on both the small and larger bumps in the road but to my surprise, it was actually fitted with 23-inch wheels.
The car floats over the road in an elegant way, it wafts like an S-Class and whilst there is some obvious body roll, it’s never pushing you out of your seat.
This is thanks to the active twin-valve Bilstein dampers, they can react in 12 milliseconds and enhance either control or comfort.
The steering wheel still captures the magic of the old one thanks to the large spoke. The rear-wheel steering really makes the car shrink which is a lovely thing as with a length of 5.250 mm, this car is no MINI. And even if you struggle in tighter places, there are plenty of high-definition cameras that can help you accurately place the car. These cameras can also help you with towing thanks to the Advanced Tow Assist which will help with difficult reversing maneuvers.
The King of the family
The 7-seater Range Rover adds a whole new flavor to the line-up. It’s versatile but still retains all the quality and character you expect from a Range Rover. Starting at 190.940 € (BE) it comes in at 2.690 € more than a short wheelbase which isn’t a lot considering the amount of extras you’re getting. The only downside really to the 7-seater is the fact that you can’t get one with a hybrid powertrain as it’ll mean a lot of people will go and get a regular Range Rover in certain countries where hybrids aren’t as heavily taxed as regular ICEs.
Bonus picture of my ultimate 2 car garage: The green Range Rover and a 997.2 GT3
