Friday 22nd July 2022

2022 Range Rover D350 | PH Video

Want to see what all the fuss is about?

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There’s a lot to talk about with the latest L460 Range Rover. A hell of a lot, actually. Although it looks like a mild facelift of the L405, underneath it’s an all-new car. There’s a new chassis for a start. The MLA-Flex architecture was needed to accommodate the latest electric power options, including bigger-battery PHEVs, with greater range, and the full BEV that’s coming in 2024. It also bumps up the torsional stiffness of the car (by 50 per cent) and reduces the NVH levels (by 24 per cent) compared with its predecessor. It's also required to support the ever-increasing raft of gadgets that a top-end luxury SUV like the Range Rover needs these days. In theory, then, it’s a future-proofing exercise, too.

One of the L460’s gadgets is rear-wheel steering. It’s the first time we’ve seen this on a Range Rover. The new model is over five-metres long, but, because the back wheels can turn up to seven degrees, it’s now a lot more wieldy in town. The turning circle is a Volkswagen Golf-matching 10.95 metres. There’s also 48-volt anti-roll tech, too. With over 1,000lb ft of counter-twist it’s far better able to resist the tall body leaning over on country roads. Not that this car is designed to be sporty. Range Rover is happy to leave that sort of stuff to the new boys – Aston, with its DBX 707, and Lamborghini’s in-ya-face Urus. The Range Rover is designed to deliver appropriate levels of on-road dynamism for a wafty, luxury SUV, while being able to out-do its rivals on green lanes.

There’s a sentence on the Land Rover website that describes the new Range Rover as: ‘True to its roots, and ready for the future.’ Is it? Well, Mike drove one in in America, and last month Nic drove one in Scotland. But we thought, as it is such an important new car, it demanded a longer look closer to home. That’s why we’ve made a video as well; to really help you get under the new model’s new skin. We’re driving a mid-spec short-wheelbase Autobiography with a diesel. Yes, a mucky old oil burner. Except it isn’t. The 3.0-litre straight-six D350 is one of the few carryovers from the old car, but also one of its best features. It is exceptionally gifted and well-suited to this car. Is the Range Rover still exceptionally gifted in other respects, though? Dive in to find out. 

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• 2022 Range Rover (L460) | PH Review
• 2022 Range Rover D350 | PH Review

[Water Fairy]

No, no I don't actually.

[SteveKTMer]

"... ready for the future."

So, I assume that means it comes with RAC breakdown cover, a second set of hazard lights for when the electrics pack up again, a warm rug and a flask for those cold winter evenings stuck at the side of the road and a list of the RR dealers in the UK who you can ring to be insulted by whilst asking for help.

[Walter Sobchak]

Great car, in probably the spec I’d go for if I were rich enough to be looking at them, I really hope they’ve managed to sort their quality control/reliability issues out with this model, probably not but time will tell.

[Superflow]

Walter Sobchak said:

Great car, in probably the spec I’d go for if I were rich enough to be looking at them, I really hope they’ve managed to sort their quality control/reliability issues out with this model, probably not but time will tell.

Bizarrely they don’t need to sort their reliability out as the buyers return over and over it would seem.

[Gecko1978]

Basically they are the greatest car ever, they are just enough luxury, performance, practicality, status symbol for anyone. When we got the Q7 thr FFRR was just a bit too much money but I would have one.

Being as I described doesn't take away from the fact that they are not the most reliable the fastest best off road most luxurious biggest status symbol most advanced technology etc they are not the best at any but they are very good at all and that's what makes them great

[MotorSpeak]

Could he stand outside the car and confirm if that Diesel engine is still ‘silent’. I see so many people sitting in their car with engines idling next to cafes, restaurants, playgrounds etc completely oblivious to the racket their diesel is making.

[Groaver]

What a car...................it would be if they would source the build of it out to someone like Toyota.

[Berkut666]

SteveKTMer said:

"... ready for the future."

So, I assume that means it comes with RAC breakdown cover, a second set of hazard lights for when the electrics pack up again, a warm rug and a flask for those cold winter evenings stuck at the side of the road and a list of the RR dealers in the UK who you can ring to be insulted by whilst asking for help.

Interesting that's your experience of the dealer network. We have an elderly RRS as our family wagon and I have to say that the 3 dealers we have dealt with (one on Purchase, and two local) have all been excellent. Far better than our previous dealings with Audi, BMW, Vauxhall etc.

Also haven't had any big failures. A great many small foibles though......

[HazzaT]

I don't like the idea of changing your off road stuff via the screen. Looks sleek and everything but if you have muddy, cold and wet hands it'd get old quickly (and also knacker your nice shiny touchscreen.

I feel like whoever thought of that has never worked outside.

[Superflow]

HazzaT said:

I don't like the idea of changing your off road stuff via the screen. Looks sleek and everything but if you have muddy, cold and wet hands it'd get old quickly (and also knacker your nice shiny touchscreen.

I feel like whoever thought of that has never worked outside.

I would think they’re catering for the majority of their buyers and most coming out of Waitrose and David Lloyd won’t have cold or wet hands.

[VR6 Eug]

If a Range Rovers is over 3 years old, Then preparer for a wallet raping and membership of the AA

[marks148]

Never had an issue with any of mine tbf. Had 3 and nothing has broken except my disco 3 but that was due to my 10yr old drifting in the field daily in the mud with the traction control off. That was not going to go well.

I specced this one up in green at 114k and last minute i baled and go a Macan Turbo as i wanted it slightly smaller. My neighbour has a Corris Grey one and i really dont like the back,

[cayman-black]

My favourite 4x4 or perhaps car I just love this.

[Wheel Turned Out]

Talk of price and reliability aside...I really just can't find it an appealing looking vehicle.

[cowboyengineer]

HazzaT said:

I don't like the idea of changing your off road stuff via the screen. Looks sleek and everything but if you have muddy, cold and wet hands it'd get old quickly (and also knacker your nice shiny touchscreen.

I feel like whoever thought of that has never worked outside.

Or you just use the rotary dial

[Mikebentley]

Who actually goes off roading to the extent you are covered in filth in a £150k Range Rover?

[cerb4.5lee]

Another great video thanks John. I really enjoyed watching it.

[anonymous-user]

I wish there was some sort of filter you could apply to weed out the same people making the same boring comments about reliability etc.

Tbh reliability on most cars is fairly similar and any car can have issues. I know someone on another thread who has a Landcruiser and it is a good car but has had quite a few issues (engine/injectors/suspension).

[Pistotter]

Off road? Land Cruiser.
On road? 5 series, E class, anything by Toyota. Cliche I know but not only do you want to get there, but not back on a recovery truck (always assuming you've not gone out of phone range, in which case you'll be wishing you'd paid more attention to those Ray Mears programmes).
The RR looks very nice on paper, but.....there's a niggling, er, but that is so hard to get over.

[Earl of Petrol]

Best of British.
Really love this.
Can’t afford new, but could afford pretty recent outgoing car. Tempting.