For 1970, British Leyland introduced the Range Rover, an upscale companion to its rugged Land Rover, as a vehicle in which rich Brits could survey their estates. Just a year later, it was included in an exhibition at the Louvre Museum in Paris where it was named an “exemplary work of industrial design”. Still is, but it’s also pretty nice to drive: The 2026 Range Rover SE.
You can absolutely park this latest fifth-generation Range Rover next to the original and see the DNA. All of the design tenets are still there, though it’s much friendlier with the wind. There are a tall grille, flat hood, and sweeping D-pillar that define the model. The front is streamlined, windows are flush, doorhandles retract, and it all rides over 23-inch alloys. Our model’s shadow black exterior pack renders all lettering, including RANGE ROVER on the hood’s leading bevel, in black.
And if you’re in the mood for a soccer match or your kid’s baseball game, power open the hatch – and lower tailgate – to take a seat. When finished, power both closed.
Mid-century lords couldn’t have imagined the luxury resort waiting beyond our Range Rover’s power-cinching doors…if you can get the flush power doorhandles to cooperate. Noses fill with the aroma of smooth cow hides, buttered to perfection while fingers caress polished veneers. Ears soak up tunes from the Meridian 3D Surround Sound System with phones connected and charged wirelessly. Everybody enjoys sunshine from the panoramic roof.
A sculpted flatscreen instrument cluster and 13.1-inch infotainment screen are pure art, and the touchscreen has haptic feedback (clunks your finger), but I’d be more amazed if it had a couple of knurled aluminum knobs for volume and tuning. No complaints about riding in the heated, ventilated and massaging front seats while gripping the heated leather-and-wood wheel. My daughter was pleased with her heated, ventilated and reclining seat in the rear.
Modern powertrains would shock owners of original Range Rovers. There are electric and electrified Range Rovers, but ours comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 singing from 523 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque – adequate to flash-pass 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Thanks to an eight-speed automatic transmission and its smooth flanks, it achieves a respectable 16/23-MPG city/highway, which isn’t bad for a large luxury wagon.
Driving brings pleasure. Sure, it’s big, but rear steering maneuvers it into tight spaces like a much smaller lorry. An electronic air suspension with active dampers wafts it down the highway and over city road rough, but stiffens while cornering to maintain composure. A head-up display and comprehensive safety systems add layers of protection. And yet when the pasture gates open, the Range Rover embraces Land.
Drivers can configure the powertrain and chassis via the Terrain Response System for virtually any condition. Standard all-wheel-drive with twin-speed transfer case and electronic differential dial it in. I’ve seen these vehicles do things sane owner would never try. It can also tow up to 8,200 lbs. of lake yacht or rolling condo.
The Range Rover is still an exemplary work of industrial design, but I wish for a few more buttons and knobs flanking the beautiful touchscreen. I could do without the cantankerous power doorhandles too. You can check the JD Power Dependability Ratings for yourself. Beyond that, the Range Rover is utter elegance in an all-capable package.
An as-tested $113,300 base price, or $155,535 as-tested, puts it against the Bentley Bentayga, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.