The all-new Range Rover Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from the traditional sports utility vehicle (SUV) brand Land Rover showcased the advantages of both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles. The comfortable ride and spacious interior helped alleviate long-distance driving fatigue for both the driver and passengers.
The recently tested Standard Wheelbase (SWB) P550e Autobiography trim has a massive exterior. With a length exceeding 5 meters, the width and height are 2003 mm and 1870 mm, respectively, making it larger than the Genesis GV80 large SUV. When parked side by side, the GV80 appears quite diminutive.
The interior space is also generous. The second-row rear seats are equipped with a large touchscreen monitor at the front, resembling a business class seat on an airplane, and features such as reclining, massage functions, and footrests can be utilized. The trunk capacity is a base of 1080 liters (L), which can be expanded to 2335L when the rear seats are folded down.
The seats come with a ventilation feature, but on the display, it is only labeled as heating and the temperature must be adjusted in negative (-) units. The emergency light button, which needs to be activated immediately in an emergency, is somewhat concealed inside the air conditioner vents at the center of the dashboard, requiring a considerable reach from the driver's seat to access.
When driving begins, the left side of the instrument panel in front of the driver shows the vehicle speed and current fuel status, while the right side displays the battery level and electric driving status. In the center, information on fuel efficiency, recent driving distance, and the distance that can be traveled using only electricity is shown, along with the combined distance that can be driven using both gasoline and electricity.
If no separate settings are made, the vehicle operates in hybrid mode, alternating between the gasoline engine and electric motor based on driving conditions such as speed. There is little to no sensation of change when the drive mode switches. In complex urban sections where stopping and going is frequent, the electric mode primarily operates to minimize fuel usage. The combined fuel efficiency is 8.7 km per liter (L), but actual fuel efficiency over a distance of more than 400 km maintained in the mid-10 km range.
The vehicle, equipped with a 38.2-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery, can travel approximately 80 km (according to domestic certification standards) on electric power alone. Considering that the average commuting distance for workers in the metropolitan area last year was 17.3 km, it is feasible to manage daily driving during the week using only the electric motor.
Despite its hefty body, the vehicle accelerates and decelerates smoothly and nimbly, and when cornering, it does so without rolling. There is little tire or engine noise entering the cabin, making it relatively quiet, although there is significant wind noise when traveling over 100 km/h.
While not felt inside, the engine noise outside the vehicle is quite loud. This car boasts a maximum output of 550 horsepower, and the time to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h is 5 seconds.
Regardless of driving conditions, the stable ride comfort stands out. Even when passing over uneven roads, there was hardly any vibration or shock. According to Land Rover, the electronic air suspension equipped in the vehicle adjusts the suspension in real-time based on road undulations. The air suspension functions by adjusting the vehicle height using air pressure.
The price easily exceeds 200 million won. The price of the all-new Range Rover varies slightly depending on the trim, such as wheelbase and engine, but the single trim PHEV is priced at 242.27 million won. The other trims range from the low 200 million won level to over 330 million won for the most expensive model.
Similar large SUVs in the same price range include the BMW New XM (221.9 million to 254.7 million won), Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS (223.6 million won), and the Benz AMG G-Class (253.1 million to 279.6 million won).