Is the Land Rover Plug-in Hybrid a Good Car?
The cachet of a Land Rover and the convenience of a PHEV combine in some select Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you want peerless luxury, insane off-road ability, and the benefits of a plug-in hybrid, then the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport can deliver.
Let’s be clear right off the bat: if you’re looking for the most efficient or economical PHEV, then a Land Rover model is definitely not that. But if you want the status and style of a Land Rover and the benefits of a plug-in hybrid, you can get it in certain configurations of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport—for a starting price of six figures.
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Land Rover plug-in hybrid
Land Rover is legendary for making vehicles with unparalleled levels of off-road capability and luxurious stature. If you’re looking for a PHEV Land Rover, it can be a little tricky—several Land Rovers offer a mild hybrid technology, but only two configurations of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport offer true PHEV features.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in a bespoke luxury SUV PHEV that will turn heads and garner envy no matter where you drive it, then read on to learn more about the Range Rover SE and the Range Rover Sport Autobiography.
Pricing
These babies don’t come cheap—the Range Rover SE starts at $108,400, and the Range Rover Sport Autobiography starts at $104,200. These are luxury vehicles first and PHEVs second, and are priced and marketed as such.
Both of these models are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 according to the EPA, which is a plus, but frankly a drop in the bucket when it comes to the overall sticker price.
Performance and fuel economy
The plug-in hybrid engine that’s available for both of these is the P440e, a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6 cylinder with an automatic transmission. It’s capable of 434 horsepower and 406 lb/ft of torque, and has a maximum speed of 140 mph. These figures mean that it’s got the chops to tackle some tough terrain and come out strong on the other side—it is a Land Rover, after all.
It’s also a large SUV, and the fuel economy reflects that. The EPA reports that you’ll get 19 mpg on gasoline alone, and a combined gas/electric rating of 42 MPGe. One of the benefits of a PHEV is that it can operate for brief periods of time in EV-only mode, and these Rovers can get a maximum of 22 miles on just electricity.
Land Rover is one of the few PHEVs on the market that is compatible with public DC fast charging, which is nice. At this level, you can recharge the battery in around an hour. It’ll take about five hours to charge up on a Level 2 charger, and up to 14 hours if you’re just using a standard household outlet.
All-wheel drive is standard of course, and electronic air suspension means that you’ll be riding in comfort no matter how bumpy the road might get. There are eight terrain modes to choose from, and the Configurable Terrain Response system allows you to personalize your off-road preferences to your liking.
Exterior styling
The exterior styling here is simple and reductive, but not in a bad way. The absence of extraneous details makes for a silhouette that’s modern, but still classic. Color choices are a refined palette of metallic hues, with the option for nickel or shadow-colored accents. There are some options for wheels as well, but the overall aesthetic favors a restrained yet powerful class over flash.
Interior and comfort
You would expect the interior here to aspire to new levels of comfort, and it does not disappoint. You can choose from several shades of supple leather seating, or opt for sustainable Kvadrat premium textiles. A wide range of finishes are available to customize the cabin to your liking, and the overall design aims to create a “sanctuary of superior travel for all”, as Land Rover puts it.
Seating will accommodate 5—while the non-PHEV configurations have the option for a longer wheelbase and more seats, it doesn’t seem to be an option for the PHEV versions. Cargo space is generous, with 41 cubic feet behind the second row and 83.5 cubic feet for the Range Rover, and a respective 31 cubic feet and 118 cubic feet for the Range Rover Sport.
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Technology
For the price tag, you would expect a generous amount to top-notch tech, and you would not be disappointed. Land Rover’s intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system features:
- A 13.1-inch “floating glass” touchscreen with haptic controls
- 2D and 3D maps with intelligent navigation and live traffic updates
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Artificial intelligence (!)
A 34-speaker Meridian Signature Sound system will keep you awash in tunes, and the touch screen in the rear seat will mean that everyone can stay entertained. Want some peace and quiet? Active noise cancellation can be delivered through the first-of-its-kind headrest speakers.
Warranty coverage
Land Rover offers a pretty standard warranty as far as luxury cars go. Many people who are considering making the move to some kind of electric vehicle have concerns about the longevity of the hybrid battery, and Land Rover does offer decent warranty coverage in this category.
- Limited warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
- Hybrid battery warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles
Options and packages
Once you’ve selected the model and the engine type, you can add on options and customizations to your heart’s content. Worried things will get messy while riding your thoroughbred? It happens. The $5,000 Equestrian Pack features rubber mud flaps, mats, and floor mats, a portable rinse system, and a host of accessories—including something called a Horse Cooler. According to Land Rover’s website, “the horse will not even know it’s wearing the Cooler.” Okay then.
Other niceties that can be had for around $2,000 a pop include the Technology Pack, the Hot Climate Pack, and the Premium Upgrade Interior Pack. Features of these are as opulent as you would expect, with touches like a refrigerated console cooler and upgraded premium leather throughout the cabin.
The bottom line
If finding the most affordable or the most efficient PHEV out there is your goal, these aren’t the droids you’re looking for. But if you're looking for a gloriously beautiful, status statement SUV that will inspire envy on and off the roads, then this is the one. But it’s a luxury SUV first and a PHEV second….or maybe third.
Range Rover PHEV vs. Lexus NX 450
Well, it depends on your priorities. With the Lexus, you’ll get better mileage across the board, a better warranty, and a sticker price that’s almost half of what a Range Rover will cost. But that being said, the Lexus doesn’t have the off-road capability of the Range Rover.
Model | Starting price | Fuel economy (gas only) | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | Driving range | Charging time (Level 2) | Hybrid battery warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range Rover Plug-in Hybrid | $108,400 | 19 mpg | 42 MPGe | 22 miles | 5 hours | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
Lexus NX 450 | $57,300 | 36 mpg | 84 MPGe | 37 miles | 2.5 hours | 10 years or 150,000 miles |
Range Rover PHEV vs. Volvo XC90 Recharge
Another entry in the category is the Volvo XC90 Recharge. The sticker price is higher than the Lexus but still lower than the Range Rover, and fuel economy is better as well.
The Volvo XC90 also has the option for a third row of seats, so if you need to fit more than five this is a good alternative. But for some only a Land Rover will do!
Model | Starting price | Fuel economy (gas only) | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | Driving range | Charging time (Level 2) | Hybrid battery warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range Rover Plug-in Hybrid | $108,400 | 19 mpg | 42 MPGe | 22 miles | 5 hours | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
Volvo XC90 Recharge | $71,900 | 27 mpg | 58 MPGe | 32 miles | 3-5 hours | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
How to save on your Land Rover car insurance
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