2022 Range Rover review

What do the Range Rover and Porsche 911 have in common? Only that they have both been so successful that, like the shark which is reputed to have achieved perfect hydrodynamic form, they appear to have stopped evolving. This new Range Rover looks so similar to the last, plenty will mistake the two. I didn’t even think the old car felt in need of replacement.

But replaced it has been, by an all new car now offering seven seats and an effective four-wheel steering system that reduces its turning circle to that of a Mini Cooper. I drove what is likely to be the big seller despite the fuel price, with a punchy 3-litre diesel and a price tag in excess of £100,000. It wasn’t that long ago that Land Rover top brass agonised over whether any Rangie could command such a price tag, yet today the collection starts at £97,900.

It’s comfortable and quiet, and if not quite so comfortable and quiet as the similarly priced Mercedes-Benz S580e in which I attended the launch, it’s fair to point out the Benz would have felt pretty silly slithering around the oozing paths of Eastnor Castle which, of course, the Range Rover took in its stride.

It’s a simple car to understand: it’s like the last Range Rover but polished in every area. It’s a formula Porsche pioneered on the 911 and which has now been sensibly adopted by Land Rover, because it works.

Range Rover D350 HSE specifications

• Price £107,300
• Engine 3 litres, six cylinders, diesel, turbocharged, 48V mild hybrid
• Power 335bhp
• Torque 516lb ft
• Weight 2430kg (DIN)
• Power to weight 138bhp per tonne
• Transmission Nine-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
• 0-60mph 5.8sec
• Top speed 145mph
• Economy 35.7mpg
• CO2 207g/km
• Verdict Tweaked to near-perfection