2023 Range Rover PHEV SE SWB

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
SUV Limo. If you’d like to ride in a limo, but prefer the looks of an SUV, and want some plausible eco cover from your tree hugger pals, you might be a candidate for the Range Rover plug in hybrid. This SUV put the “range” in Range Rover, adding a battery large enough, they say, to power this nearly 3-ton sled for more than 50 miles on all electric power. That’s very useable in the real world. If you charge it every night, and mostly drive locally, you could be in the unique position of actually being able to brag about your Range Rover’s mileage.
Comfort. There was a time when the Range Rover was comfortable “for an SUV.” Now it’s just damn comfortable. With the added air suspension, it rides very much like a high end luxury car. The switching between electric power and gasoline power is seamless, quiet and smooth. The ride is pretty serene, and the surroundings are top notch. It’s got all the luxury trappings you could ask for, from heated massaging seats to a Lincoln Center-esque sound system. You won’t want for creature comforts.
Interior. It’s very hushed inside the Range Rover, with only some mild wind noise at highway speed. The materials are all high quality. There’s an almost Scandinavian minimalism at work here — a calmness that’s been designed in. They’ve tried to eliminate the busy-ness that you feel in some cabins. Of course, it’s a trade off, as more things are screen based. But being inside the Range Rover does generate a feeling of calm. Of course, having the bank account to afford one also generates a feeling of calm.
Performance. It’s not a drag racer, but it’s plenty powerful. The 3.0 liter, turbo charged six-cylinder gasoline engine produces 434 hp, which is more than enough. When under battery-only operation, full throttle acceleration tops out early. Hey, it’s hard to move a 3-ton vehicle. But if you floor it, the gasoline engine will kick in and fling you up the highway ramp. We saw somewhat less than 50 miles of electric range, which is to be expected with highway driving and the wind resistance of an SUV. And once the electric power ran out completely, over the rest of the tank of gas, we saw our overall mileage drop from the low 50s to the mid 20s. Range Rover says to expect 21 mpg without plugging in.
Handling. This thing was heavy to begin with. Then you add a 38 kWh hour battery, and Sisyphus would shake his head and quit. Despite all that, or we could say, with some serious engineering work, Range Rover gets this thing to handle very competently. You can feel the weight at times, particularly on turns at any speed. But in day-o-day driving, handling is accurate and controlled.
Paint and promise. Our Range Rover came with a lovely Belgravia Green paint job that we’d strongly recommend you consider. It also teased the promise of a fully battery-powered Range Rover and how smooth and luxurious that will be when it arrives. Presumably not too long into the future.

Cons
Slow charging. To be fair, most plug in hybrids are slow chargers. There’s not a lot of point in putting expensive, fast charging architecture in a car that’s probably going to be charged at home at night anyway, and presents no danger or inconvenience to the driver if it runs out of electric power. Still, we went to a fast charger, and it took a good hour to get our 50 miles. A level 2 home charger will be the way to go with one of these.
Persnickety door handles. Range Rover added flush door handles. But to make them work, you have to press a button on the handle, and wait for it to pop out. It was a little finicky for us, and we longed for the halcyon days of door handles — when it was always ready for you.
Rear tailgate oversight. Most mid to high end cars we drive these days have powered tailgates. Once you open the tailgate, there are two buttons. One closes the tailgate, the other button closes the tailgate and locks all the doors. The Range Rover had only the first button. So when unloading groceries or packages, you had to close the tailgate, and then separately go lock the doors. I know, first world car reviewer problems! But for folks spending $130K on a vehicle, the first time they drop the bag with eggs in it while trying to fumble for a finicky door lock button, they’re going to have their manservant write you a stern letter, Range Rover.