The Range Rover SE LWB Review

Let’s go on Safari with the new Range Rover SE LWB! Actually known as the Range Rover Range Rover, it is so nice it was named twice. Actually, if you just call it the Range Rover one time, you’ll be ok. Still, we at Napleton News like pretending we are supermodels behind the wheel of a Range Rover. Come along and pretend with us.

What is the Range Rover?

It’s the full size SUV from Jaguar Land Rover. The Range Rover SE is the perfect vehicle for those who want the ultimate in a well-heeled conveyance, regardless of where you may be going. Want to climb a hill? Child’s play. Cross a stream? Done. Pull a stump? Next. With the Range Rover, you can do all of these and more.

Power for our Range Rover SE comes from a 3.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged 6-cylinder engine delivering 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shift levers. It features all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering with a two-speed transfer case.

JLR wraps up this powertrain with Land Rover’s famous Terrain Response System and its selectable drive modes and all-weather gearing. It features modes for Normal, Sand, Snow, Mud, Ruts and even rock crawling.

Other engine choices include a 4.4-liter V8 making 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Then there is a twin turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 for the Range Rover SV, which delivers 606 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.

For those seeking their own green new deal, there is the Range Rover P500e. A hybrid affair, it mates the 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine with a plug-in electric motor. This pairing delivers 542 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. All engine choices include an 8-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive.

How does the Range Rover SE look?

We think clean is an apt description for the new Range Rover SE LWB. Smoothness prevails throughout the exterior, which tries to avoid sharp edges in favor of gentle curving panels. There are contrasting accent panels located around the Rover SE that help bring a bit of elegance to the vehicle. It is, after all, one of the vehicle brands used to carry the UK’s Royal Family.

There are two size differences. A standard wheelbase version measures up with a wheelbase of 118.0 inches and a length of 198.9 overall. The long wheelbase, like our sampler stretched further with a wheelbase of 126.0 inches and 207.0 inches overall. That’s just an additional eight-inch stretch.

Bonus: At the rear, the cargo hatch opens like a clamshell. With the upper part open to give you shade, the lower part converts to a bench like seat. All that you need now are a pair of cushions.

What about inside the Ranger?

Like Buttah. Oops, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. To rephrase, the seats are like butter. Tan, smooth, supple and elegant, it is suitable for a royal family or your family. Since ours is the LWB version, there is suitable space in the “way back” for a third row of passenger seats.

The Ranger is equipped with a 13.1-inch touchscreen display to help control almost every function inside the vehicle. These include the A/C, the Meridian Premium Audio system, certain vehicle commands and the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-equipped cell phone mirroring system.

Ventilated seating offers a cool place to “plant it” on days where the temperatures hover in the nuclear range. That would be what we are feeling right now at Napleton’s Southern outpost in Palm Beach Gardens. It’s good to know you have it and can use it at a moment’s notice.

Behind the wheel of the Range Rover.

As you approach the Ranger, flush mounted door handles sprout from their nesting places. Grab one and you’ll gain entry to the interior. Slide across the tan leather seats and settle in. You’ll push the starter button and shift into gear. After a second or two you may feel the electronic air suspension raise or lower to find its correct level. Once it does, you are ready to go.

There are lots of things going on with the Range Rover. Some are good and some not so. On the plus side you’ll feel like someone important, like you’re going places. On the down side, you may think it’s a bit of a churn with its sometimes rough ride. The auto stop/start is somewhat intrusive but the hill hold only more so.

We say that because it requires a rather tall “tip-in” when starting from a stop. In other words, it’s holding on too much. After a while you’ll learn how to get off to a smooth start but it’s not impressive to try and be smoove while your car is making you rough.

Still, the Range Rover is an event to be driven. For all its quirks, it’s still one of the most interesting vehicles on- or-off the road today.

Range Rover SE LWB Specifications