Is the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover a Good Luxury SUV? 6 Things We Like, 3 We Don’t

Land Rover can arguably be given credit for inventing the luxury SUV with the launch of the first Range Rover way back in 1969. While the redesigned 2022 Range Rover is an entirely different and far more modern animal, it shares a familial resemblance to its forebears with a cushy and luxurious feel as well as more than a little traditional British opulence.

Related: 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Review: Old-School Luxury Lives On

That’s not a bad thing, particularly for fans of the burled walnut and rich leather school of luxury vehicles. But for buyers who equate luxury with the latest in tech features and self-driving capabilities, the latest Range Rover comes up a little short.

Make no mistake, the newest Range Rover is an extremely accommodating chariot, with an impeccably crafted and quiet interior,  seating for up to seven and a choice of potent powertrains. While not as tech-centric as some competitors, it’s still packed with electronic driver aids and features including a much-improved infotainment system.

Nevertheless, there are some areas that could be improved, especially in this lofty segment of $100,000-plus luxury SUVs. For the full review from Cars.com’s Brian Normile, check the link above. For a shortened version, below are six things we like about the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover and three things we don’t:

Things We Like

1. Premium Interior

Richly appointed and roomy, the Range Rover’s interior delivers old-school British luxury in a big way. Premium materials include soft leather upholstery in a choice of five different colors along with rich-looking wood and soft-touch surfaces throughout the cabin. There’s plenty of room in front, and second-row passengers are treated to at least as much luxury. Long-wheelbase models add a third row of seating, which is just as nicely finished, if not as roomy as some competitors.

2. Capable Powertrains

Engine choices include a 395-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter mild-hybrid six-cylinder or a 523-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8; both are paired with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Either engine is more than up to the task of motivating more than 5,000 pounds of Range Rover, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds for the V-8.

For buyers more concerned with fuel economy, Land Rover says plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions are coming.

3. Ride and Handling

A standard air suspension delivers a comfortable and absorbent ride, as one might expect in a luxury SUV with a starting price north of $100,000. Even with the 23-inch wheels on the two versions of Range Rover we sampled, bumps were soaked up with little notice in the cabin. Four-wheel steering helps with maneuverability in tight quarters, while electronic wizardry works to reduce body lean in corners. Overall handling is not exactly nimble, but the big Range Rover is easy to pilot and handles imperfections with little fuss.

4. Off-Road Capability

It’s not likely many buyers of a $100,000-plus luxury SUV are going to spend a lot of time off-roading, but the Range Rover is more than up to the task for those so inclined. With four-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, an assortment of off-road cameras, a height-adjustable air suspension, six different off-road driving modes and other high-tech electronic aids, it’s ready to tackle the rough stuff or whatever nasty weather drivers encounter on-road.

5. Clever Cargo Solutions

The Range Rover’s upright design and generous proportions make for a large cargo area. Land Rover claims 40.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row in standard-wheelbase models, accessed by a two-piece powered clamshell tailgate. An optional organizing system lets you configure the space as needed to contain items and includes tie-down straps, while a cargo divider doubles as a rear-facing seat for tailgating and comes complete with removable cushions.

6. Infotainment Improvements

The redesigned Range Rover gets a new infotainment system, with a 13.1-inch touchscreen featuring crisp graphics and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A big improvement over the old two-screen layout, the system is intuitive and quick to respond; it also adds haptic feedback and welcome physical controls for climate and other functions.

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Things We Don’t Like

1. Lacking Competitive Tech

As luxurious and advanced as the new Range Rover is, technology is moving fast and luxury buyers have high expectations. Here, the Range Rover trails competitors such as the Cadillac Escalade with its hands-free driving and huge, vivid and easy-to-use dashboard screens. The Lincoln Navigator is getting its own hands-free driving capability soon, and some German competitors offer augmented reality navigation. None of these features are available with the Range Rover.

2. Acceleration Hiccups

The Range Rover is quick once power comes on, but we noticed a big lag from both powertrains in hard acceleration. With both the six-cylinder and V-8 engines, the lag amounted to about a full second, which can seem like an eternity during passing maneuvers or when making a quick merge.

3. Limited Third-Row Room

Third-row passengers are treated to accommodations that are every bit as luxurious as those up front with none of the scrimping on materials seen in some competing vehicles. But while the quality of the leather seats and surroundings are first class, legroom is not as generous as in many of those competitors. Access is eased by power controls to move the second row seats forward, at least.

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