Big, but most assuredly not dumb, the latest Range Rover Vogue is a startling example of what can happen when you have something to prove and the will to prove it.
Indian owners, Tata, couldn’t afford to get this one wrong. After all, Range Rover was on a roll and it and sister company Jaguar are producing some of the best vehicles the have EVER produced in the last few years, so any mis-step with the new Range Rover could have proved to be disasterous.
However, with the new Vogue, they have simply outdone themselves. It is a startlingly good vehicle.
Outside
Likes: Big, imposing and less blingy than the previous model had become. Design both suits and somewhat disguises the sheer massive size of the thing. Still distinctly a Range Rover.
Dislikes: Fake “vents” have now moved to the doors, which is just a bit weird when you actually start thinking about it. Some of the cheesier Evoque styling cues (like the headlights) rob the Rangie of its dignity and effortless cool – it looks like it’s trying now…
Inside
Likes: Although thoroughly modern, still manages to retain the “Gentlemen’s Club” on wheels feel of previous models. Spectacular build quality and materials. Stereo is mind (and eardrum) blowing. Startlingly comfortable.
Dislikes: If you are taking it literally anywhere off road, you will need to get you man to take care of any dirty boots, because the interior sure isn’t set up to deal with dirt. Sat nav unit is frustrating and completely unintuitive. Rotary gear selector is still just silly.
Under the bonnet
Likes: The 375kW supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 is a stunning engine. Sounds brilliant when wound up. Pulls eagerly anywhere in the rev range, either on or off the road, and propels the big Rangie along the road at a simply remarkable rate.
Dislikes: The obvious thirst. While it sounds brilliant, the sound is very distant and muted.
On the road
Likes: Remarkable poise and agility for such a massive vehicle. Sharp turn-in and incredibly well-controlled body roll.
Dislikes: It still feels simply massive, even if it responds better than it ever possibly should.
Verdict
How can something this massive be so damn agile? It doesn’t seem right.
But, that certainly is the case with the Range Rover Vogue. An absolutely startling lesson in its abilities on the road was presented to me following our off road testing session when a VW Golf GTi roared past me while I was driving the Vogue home.
I thought to myself “I will show you acceleration, mate” and nailed the throttle. The 5.0-litre V8 bellowed (and admittedly too-quiet bellow…) and the massive Gentlemen’s Club on wheels effortlessly reeled the little GTi in. The GTi driver obviously noticed this and decided to show me how well his VW handled the corners, and clearly thought he would leave me behind there.
What was a surprise to both of us was he couldn’t. The Range Rover stuck to the tail of the GTi relentlessly. What it lacked in ultimate apex-clipping grip, it more than made up for with sheer torque n the way out. He could not get away from me. So he turned off.
Fair enough too, because if I was being followed by a maniac in a massive Range Rover, I would want to get out of the way as quickly as possible as well!
Still, the lesson had well and truly been learned – the Vogue was a thoroughly impressive piece of kit through the corners. Sure, it is – and most assuredly feels – thoroughly huge and you still have to have a healthy respect for the laws of physics, but the amount of grip and surprising agility are just remarkable.
Don’t take that to mean it feels like a sports car – it still feels like a massive SUV, just a remarkably agile one. You are constantly aware of its size and weight, as you are of your height off the ground.
And possibly the most amazing part is the complete lack of compromise of ride quality. The ride is still a sumptuous and wafting as a modern Range Rover has ever been and the sheer cosseting nature of the interior and chassis is still one of the most complete and convincing around.
Price: $210,000
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol
Power/torque: 375kW/625Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds
Fuel consumption: 13.8L/100km
CO2 emissions: n/a
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