Range Rover, the ultimate SUV for luxury and performance

BY Mabuyane Mabuza

While we dip our toes into the New Year, we reflect on the vehicles that left a huge impression on us last year. One such vehicle was the Range Rover. It always impresses and takes the experience to the next level. It’s no wonder it has established itself as a much-loved mommy car for most of Hollywood’s A-listers and one of the most sought-after symbols of affluence. We look back at the amazing time we had behind the wheel of this luxury vehicle.

I am a big fanatic of SUVs, I think they are the best automobile creation ever made. Driving from that elevated position doesn’t just feel comfortable but it outright feels fantastic. Don’t judge me for having felt like a real-life royalty.

The Range Rover is the ultimate SUV for those looking to balance luxury and performance. As a signature of British engineering, the Range Rover has come to represent a standard of excellence in both ruggedness and refinement that extends far beyond its wheels. Range Rover’s air suspension still remains unmatched, making the Range Rover a pleasure to drive both on and off-road.

Under the hood of our test model lies a straight-six turbodiesel borrowed from the Discovery and the Defender. I was amazed at how this motor propelled the Range Rover’s big body with such ease.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Range Rover is the intimate relationship it has had with the British royal family over the years. The later Queen Elizabeth has owned several Range Rovers throughout her reign, using them for off-road adventures and even driving them herself on occasion.

But what makes the Range Rover so special?

For starters, the engine(s) both diesel and petrol deliver unrivalled power and efficiency, providing a smooth and comfortable ride even on the most challenging terrain. The craftsmanship that goes into every Range Rover makes it clear that this is a vehicle that’s built to last, with precision engineering and attention to detail visible in every inch of the car.

The interior of the Range Rover is equally impressive, featuring luxurious materials and advanced technology that make it a genuine pleasure to drive. From the plush leather seats to the state-of-the-art infotainment system, every aspect of the Range Rover is designed with the driver’s comfort and convenience in mind. I’d fail dismally if I were to attempt to describe the interior in detail.

The centre console is completely new and is everything dreams are made of with much more intuitive ergonomics and no shortage of storage space. There’s a 4-bottle fridge in the centre console and a two-tier storage compartment below the cupholders for stashing things like phones or keys (there are USB ports in there for charging devices too). Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto integrate seamlessly with the car. The infotainment system is overwhelmingly packed, more like a buffet menu, you just leave some of the less important things alone in such situations. But my pick were vehicle settings, cameras, towbar deployment, seat massage, and just about everything you can do with the car can be accessed through the screen.

Range Rover is not the ultimate SUV for those who demand both performance and luxury but very close to being one. It remains a true celebration of British engineering at its most refined, delivering a driving experience that can only be described as majestic.