Land Rover Range Rover: My Take
At a Land Rover event yesterday, I got the chance to sample a 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, a Cars.com Best Bet. While I liked the vehicle, sadly, Mother Nature dumped snow all over the place and eliminated the other half of the Land Rover drive – the off-road part. Still, there was enough pavement driving to warrant the trip. (At least, that’s what I’ll tell the boss.)
Stepping into the Range Rover, the first thing you notice is there is no step up. At a stop, the air suspension is in Access mode, so the Rover sits lower. As you accelerate, it rises. I doubt you’ll feel it – it’s that smooth.
Acceleration was smooth and docile, but I’ll admit I was gentle on the throttle. The roads were slick and I didn’t want to unleash all 400 horsepower, make a mistake and destroy an SUV that’s worth as much as the house I grew up in.The steering was a variable assist power unit, meaning it was very light and easy for low-speed parking lot maneuvers, but the boost is lessened at higher speeds – where you want it lessened. Tight maneuvers were no problem, but I didn’t get up to highway speeds to see how much heavier the steering got.
A few tweaks differentiate the supercharged Range Rover from its siblings, the most noticeable being a lattice-like grille. Land Rover calls it “diamond mesh” and it suited my taste to the point I’d consider adding an aftermarket version if I didn’t buy the supercharged model. Another exterior telltale is the black – not green – Land Rover badge.
The interior is well-appointed with leather and a nicely sized steering wheel. Power seats come with every kind of adjustment you’d expect.
Whatever seat you’re in, the view outside is excellent. Truly, this was the high point of driving. I was in a vehicle that’s tall, boxy and sports a long hood, yet I felt I was in a car. Given a shot, I believe I could’ve parallel parked this beast easier than any other SUV and many cars I’ve driven. Between the seating, the the massive amounts of glass and the myriad other features, driving the Range Rover was very confidence-inspiring.
In the end that’s what the sum of my Land Rover drive was: Confidence inspiring.
It’s worth noting this was a 2006 Range Rover. The 2007 model offers a new interior with more extensive wood and metallic finishes. It will also gain Land Rover’s Terrain Response system (now in the LR3 and Range Rover Sport) that lets you dial in whether you’re driving on snow, sand, or whatever, and the system adjusts throttle, brakes, suspension and heaven knows what else to accommodate the terrain. If you’re in the market, consider waiting a bit longer to compare the 2007 to the 2006.
