2022 Range Rover India First Look: Why Land Rover's Flagship Is Its Best Yet

The fifth-generation Land Rover Range Rover finally arrived in India earlier this year with prices starting at Rs. 2.39 crore (ex-showroom). The flagship Land Rover pushes the envelope in every way bringing the best of tech and luxury in a highly capable package. The luxobarge has been an extremely popular choice with everybody from actors, politicians to industrialists, which makes the fifth generation version all the more important. Now, we did drive the new Range Rover in California recently, but we recently had the opportunity to check out the India-spec model in flesh, and here's what impressed us the most.

Also Read: 5th Generation Range Rover Review

The new Range Rover feels all too familiar and yet exudes a different aura with its simpler and more refined design

Minimalist Design

The new Range Rover is instantly recognisable despite the updated design and yet it looks sharper, simpler and more luxurious than ever. Land Rover designers retained the silhouette of the SUV with its boxy proportions, falling roofline and a strong shoulder line. Elements like the clamshell bonnet and the boat tail rear have been retained. What's different though is how refined the model looks now. Fewer lines, fewer cuts and creases and simpler styling, all add to the minimalist theme of the SUV. There also flush-fitting door handles that will pop out once you are closer to the car, which Land Rover says help reduce the drag coefficiency to just 0.30 cd; impressive for a vehicle of such mammoth proportions. 

The 2022 Range Rover on display were finished in Ostuni Pearl White and Charente Grey

At the rear, the 2022 Range Rover is now more distinctive with the hidden taillights. The vertically-stacked units are covered with a gloss black finish that only illuminate when on the move. The gloss black finish extends to the tailgate and creates a distinctive look that's hard to miss. We reckon it also helps set the Range Rover apart from the RR Sport more effectively than before. The SUV also retains the split tailgate setup with the new generation but you now gets a retractable backrest and the option of adding cushions too. With Tailgate Event seating, Land Rover has also added dedicated speakers, cupholders and lights to the boot, when you want to enjoy the view after a long day.

The 22-inch wheels are standard on the Autobiography variant and can be upgraded to 23-inch units

The Range Rover Autobiography drives on 22-inch wheels that do fit well but you can upgrade to 23-inch wheels as well, which would look even better. That said, Land Rover does tell us that the 23-inch units also come with enough side wall cushioning to ensure there's no major difference in terms of the ride quality. The new Range Rover arrives in India as a fully built model with production taking place exclusively at the Solihull manufacturing facility in the UK.

More Space

The new Range Rover has grown and liberates more room in the cabin. So much so that Land Rover decided to add a third row of seats for the first time on the luxobarge. The SUV is offered in five variants - SE, HSE, Autobiography and First Edition, and the seven-seater version is available on each of them. India only get the long wheelbase (LWB) version and the third row makes the SUV more practical than before. But we understand that it's the five seater versions that will find more takers in our market. The latter offers better comfort for other rear passenger, especially with the reclining function that will entice more buyers. Land Rover will also bring the more exquisite SV variant of the Range Rover at a later date, which promises even more luxury in the cabin and will be a strict four-seater to maximise on convenience.

The new Range Rover gets a large 13.7-inch digital instrument console. There's HUD as well

New Tech

The fifth generation Range Rover is loaded on tech and goes to some extensive lengths to cover comfort and convenience for the occupants. The cabin is a lot more clutter-free in appearance, thanks to the minimalist design approach and a lot of the controls are now relegated to the massive touchscreen unit. The 13.1-inch curved screen is the biggest we've seen yet on a Range Rover and easily the most seamless to use on any Land Rover. The new Pivi Pro UI works brilliantly and is a lot more streamlined than before too. You also get a new 13.7-inch digital instrument console that's configurable and offers brilliant graphics. Everything feels easy to read at one glance and quite sharply styled too.

Land Rover has retained buttons for the AC controls which is great by all means and you even get the dyanamic dials that allow control over ventilated seats. The steering wheel is a new unit too with a slew of controls on offer.

The Autobiography variants on display were covered in perforated semi-aniline leather seats that further boosted the luxury quotient. Of course, of all it is customisable too with plenty of options to choose from. With respect to tech wizardry, it only extends further at the rear. There's now a tablet in the centre armrest that gives access to nearly all major functions on the vehicle including the seat adjustment, blinds, sunroof, air conditioning, massage function and more. You can even adjust the front passenger seat to liberate more legroom and pull down the foot rest for maximum comfort.

With the Autobiography version, the SUV also comes with active noise cancelling speakers integrated into the headrest at the rear. Speaking of which, the Range Rover gets a Meridian sound system as standard, while the higher trims get the 1,600-watt Meridian Signature sound system with 35 speakers for even better acoustics. The headrest speakers though are designed for each of the four main occupants and create personal quiet zones, which feels similar to using premium headphones.

The new Range Rover arrives with 3 engine options with the Ingenium range getting the 48-volt mild-hybrid motor

Efficient Performance

The new-generation Range Rover arrives with three engine options in India. This includes the 3.0-litre Ingenium petrol and diesel, as well as the BMW-sourced 4.4-litre turbocharged petrol. The Ingenium range of engines get mild-hybrid technology, aiming to improve low-end performance as well as fuel efficiency on the motor. The petrol mild-hybrid engine produces 394 bhp and 550 Nm, while the diesel develops 351 bhp and 700 Nm. The turbocharged petrol engine promises impressive performance with 523 bhp and 750 Nm. 0-100 kmph comes up in 4.6 seconds on the latter with a top speed electronically limited to 250 kmph. All three engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with power going to all four wheels.

The ground clearance rises all the way up to 295 mm, while it can be lowered too for better on-road dynamics

Off-Road Capability

Despite being a luxobarge, the fifth-generation Range Rover does not fall short on its roots. In fact, there's now more electronic intervention than ever to ensure the model is even more capable off the tarmac. The ground clearance in the standard guise is 250 mm, which can increase up to 295 mm in the Off-Road mode. The adaptive air suspension raises the SUV's height at a touch, and can even lower it further to ensure better driving dynamics on the highway.

The new Range Rover also comes with optional rear wheel steering to further improve its capabilities. Land Rover promises a turning radius of under 11 metres, making this over 5-metre long SUV more manoeuvrable than ever. It also comes with Electronic Air Suspension with Dynamic Response Pro that will adjust the suspension based on the terrain and will scan about 2.5 km of the road up ahead with satellite navigation. There's also Terrain Response 2 that automatically adjusts the settings depending on the terrain including Snow, Mud, Rocks, Sand and more. There's an individually configurable option available as well.

Land Rover has pushed the boundaries when it comes to using innovative tech and the new Range Rover does come with Wade Sensing or a sonar system that helps the driver know about any obstructions when driving through the deep-end of the pool. At 900 mm, the wading depth isn't exactly shallow either, so you can be rest-assured for the most part. Lastly, ClearSight feature that's now common to most Land Rovers makes an appearance here as well. The feature essentially lets you take a look at what's underneath the bonnet with augmented reality. The IRVM also doubles up as a monitor with a dedicated rear camera reeling footage here. 

Prices

The fifth generation Range Rover is priced from Rs. 2.39 crore onwards with as many as 33 trims available to choose from. There are even more customisation and personalisation options, which further give you an extensive blend of options to suit your liking. The Range Rover is already open for bookings while deliveries too have begun as well.