Aspiring to greatness and achieving greatness are not quite the same things. Nowhere is this better understood than at Land Rover, where designers have been making a habit out of the latter for decades with their line of incredible sport utility vehicles. The 2010 Range Rover is a continuation of that greatness.
The 2010 Range Rover (MSRP $79,725) continues the off-road and luxury traditions that have spanned over 60 years of both exotic and urban adventures for the British brand’s flagship vehicle. The Range Rover steps onto the world stage with greater confidence, thanks to a series of changes and upgrades that have left the stalwart SUV fully refreshed. While the vehicle’s handsome dimensions have been largely retained (exterior refinements have been restricted to tweaks that see it still bearing its sturdy flanks and multi-faceted headlight housings), some significant changes have been made underneath the skin.
Of these, none is more striking than what has transpired in the Range Rover’s engine bay. While its previous powertrain could hardly have been described as anemic, the entry-level Range Rover HSE model benefits from the introduction of a 5.0-liter V8 that provides 375 hp and 375 lb/ft of torque. This improves upon the departed 4.4-liter unit by an impressive 70 hp. At no time is this improvement more apparent than when accelerating from a stop when the Range Rover feels more fleet of foot than many of the other luxury SUV’s against which it competes. Of course, if more power is desired, it is merely a trim level away. The Supercharged Range Rover straps a blower onto the engine it shares with the HSE in order to squeeze out a fantastic 510 hp and a pavement-searing 461 lb/ft of torque. Fuel mileage for both engines is rated at 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.
A six-speed manual transmission teams up with the Range Rover’s permanent four-wheel drive to maximize both performance and grip on a wide variety of surfaces. Although handling and straight-line acceleration are excellent in both editions of the SUV, the Range Rover also has a diverse range of practical applications not typically found in luxury SUVs. Thanks to its sturdy construction, the vehicle can be equipped to tow as much as 7,700 pounds – a task that is made easier by a Trailer Stability Assist system that works to prevent dangerous fishtailing or jackknifing. The vehicle’s Surround Camera System can also call into use one or more of many blindspot cameras to help drivers reverse a trailer into its parking space safely and securely.
Moving past hauling, the 2010 Range Rover is a nimble all-terrain performer with a reputation for off-road prowess that dates back to its roots as a military-spec people mover. In addition to low-range four-wheel drive, the Range Rover also features a stunning range of technological aids designed to make wilderness excursions as comfortable as possible. Adjustable air suspension is capable of raising the vehicle up for extra ground clearance. Electronic traction control helps to adequately distribute the SUV’s prodigious power, and Hill Descent Control provides carefully measured throttle inputs for precise downhill driving. Most intriguing is the Terrain Response feature, which allows drivers to dial in whether they are driving across sand, mud, snow or a number of other surfaces. The vehicle then adjusts its suspension and electronic systems accordingly to provide the best levels of safety and performance.
The Range Rover also has a lot to offer those interested more in being coddled than in fording a mountain stream. The Range Rover can seat up to five passengers, and a startlingly wide range of comfort features is found in the HSE edition of the SUV such as leather seats, a heated windshield, voice-activated navigation, a surround-sound stereo and beautiful wood trim. The Supercharged version adds Brembo brakes and the availability of the Autobiography Package, which features such amenities as a leather headliner, four separate zones of climate control and a DVD entertainment system for rear passengers. Standard across all Range Rovers are HID headlights, a sunroof and, of course, keyless entry and heating pads for both front and rear seats.
The 2010 Range Rover is as exciting to drive as it is to look at – a premium sport utility vehicle that doesn’t disappoint, whether trundling across the shifting dunes of the Sahara or tackling rush hour traffic on the way to a weekend getaway.
