Debate rages over whether the original Range Rover was the first luxury SUV. When it arrived in 1970, the Jeep Wagoneer had already been on sale for seven years, and this was undoubtedly more luxurious than the surprisingly utilitarian first Range Rover.
Yet by the time the original Rangie bowed out in 1994 it had set the standard, and the all-new Range Rover Mk2 was plusher than ever. With each subsequent generation, the bar was raised still further when it came to luxury, sophistication and comfort. However, Land Rover never watered down the off-roading abilities of this large SUV.
When this fourth-generation Range Rover arrived in 2013, it was the most capable, sophisticated and luxurious edition yet.
Models covered
- • Range Rover Mk4 (2012-date) - It’s not cheap to buy or run, but this luxurious SUV is in a class of its own.
Range Rover Mk4
History
The Range Rover Mk4 went on sale in September 2012 priced from £71,295, and first deliveries took place in January 2013.
Buyers could have 254bhp 3.0 TDV6 or 334bhp 4.4 SDV8 diesels, or a 503bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine. By August 2013 there was also a diesel-electric hybrid, and in March 2014 a long-wheelbase edition was introduced, with an extra 186mm of rear legroom. At first this came only with a 5.0 V8 engine, but there was a diesel-electric hybrid option within a month.
Revisions late that year brought better off-roading tech, a 302bhp 3.0 SDV6 and new colours, and in late 2016 a supercharged 335bhp petrol V6 arrived. In November 2017, the SVAutobiography and P400e hybrid followed, while an interior redesign introduced the new dual-screen infotainment.
Range Rover Mk4 reviews
Range Rover in-depth review
Range Rover Vogue review
Range Rover TDV6 Autobiography review
Range Rover P400e Autobiography review
Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography review
Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic review
Which one should I buy?
Land Rover’s 5.0-litre petrol engine is magnificent, but its running costs can be crippling. Theoretically, the P400e is the cheapest to run, but it costs a lot to buy and may be out of reach, so the diesel-electric hybrid might make more sense. However, it’s not a plug-in, which means we’d stick with a regular TDV6, SDV6 or TDV8 diesel.
Even the entry-level Vogue gets a fixed glass roof, metallic paint, power-fold door mirrors, xenon headlights and 20-inch alloys. It also has leather trim, all-round parking sensors, a reversing camera and heated, 16-way electrically adjustable front seats.
Vogue SE adds an upgraded hi-fi, posher seating and extra safety kit; Autobiography brings 21-inch wheels, a 360-degree camera and quad-zone climate control.
Alternatives to the Range Rover Mk4
There’s so much room in a long-wheelbase Range Rover that it doesn’t have any real rivals, other than more costly saloons such as the Bentley Mulsanne EWB, Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB and Mercedes-Maybach S 650.
Still, there are other luxury SUVs out there, most notably the Bentley Bentayga, which is the closest rival to the standard Range Rover. Cars like the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Volvo XC90 and Mercedes GLS compete in terms of size but don’t feel quite as special, although they do seat seven, which the Rangie doesn’t.
If you want a truly special SUV now, it’s a tale of two Brits: Land Rover or Bentley. But the Rolls-Royce Cullinan will join them once it starts to filter into the used market.
What to look for
Gearbox
Every version of the Range Rover comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and no manual gearbox is offered.
Oil
Juddering at low speeds is often due to dirty oil in the transfer box. It’s worth replacing every 30,000 miles, and asking questions if it hasn’t been.
Electrics
Electronic faults are common, so take the time to check that everything works: multimedia, windows, seats, switchgear – the whole lot.
Vibrations
If you can feel any vibrations at high speeds, they may be costly to fix. Failing rear differentials and buckled wheels are not unknown.
Interior
This is one of the key reasons for the Range Rover being so easy to love; its spacious cabin is incredibly luxurious because it’s full of premium materials and cutting-edge tech. Up to motorway speeds and beyond, refinement is excellent, too. There’s plenty of rear seat space, especially in long-wheelbase models, and boot space is impressive, at 909 litres – or 2,030 litres with the rear seats folded.
Running costs
All models need a service every 12 months or 16,000 miles. It costs from £464 on a 3.0 TDV6, but the 10th service can be £1,760. The 4.4 TDV8, 3.0 V6 and 5.0 V8 are dearer, and hybrid models cost from £448.
After three years, fixed-cost services are £395-£415 (minor), and £455-£545 (major). Only the 3.0 TDV6 has a cambelt. This needs replacing every seven years/112,000 miles, at £850, or as part of a £1,458 service.
Recalls
The Mk4 Range Rover has had 18 recalls, and problems include sub-standard wheel nuts letting wheels work loose, and doors unlatching and opening while the car is moving. Other issues centred on the electrics, seatbelt pre-tensioners, brake servos, airbags, AEB systems, instrument clusters and fuel leaks. The engine cutting out and/or failing to start prompted another recall.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The Range Rover didn’t feature in our Driver Power 2019 new car survey, but Land Rover finished 20th out of the 30 brands, which is disappointing for a premium manufacturer. High running costs and poor reliability are the key bugbears with owners, but almost every other aspect of the company’s cars, including the interiors, drivetrains and handling, came in for praise.
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