Land Rover Range Rover 2017 Review

In Malaysia's luxury SUV market, Range Rover has always been the benchmark option for "executive-level off-road capability and luxury comfort." The 2017 5.0 Supercharged Vogue SE, as a mid-to-high-end version in the lineup, retains the brand’s signature rugged DNA while precisely meeting the needs of users seeking a balance between performance and comfort through its 525PS supercharged V8 engine and fully loaded luxurious features. This time, we have the actual car, and the main goal is to verify whether its comprehensive performance of "conquering rainforest dirt roads while effortlessly handling urban commuting" lives up to its name.

From a distance, the silhouette of the 2017 Range Rover maintains the family’s classic square design, with a straight waistline running through the body. Paired with a 5000mm length and 2922mm wheelbase, its striking presence is undeniable. At the front, the polygonal grille is highlighted with chrome accents, flanked by a combination of LED and xenon headlights. The daytime running lights use the distinctive family design, making it highly recognizable. On the side, the 21-inch wheels paired with 275/45 R21 tires and slightly prominent fender lines retain the muscular feel of a rugged SUV. At the rear, the horizontal layout of the LED taillights echoes the front design, while the chrome accents on the rear bumper enhance the luxurious feel. The overall design is not overly extravagant, maintaining a classic and timeless appearance befitting a luxury SUV.

Sitting inside, the first impression is of solid materials—the dashboard and door panels are extensively wrapped in soft-touch leather, with metallic trim details adding a touch of quality in line with expectations. The central control layout is clear, the 12.3-inch touchscreen reacts smoothly, and the interface logic is simple and easy to grasp. The front seats are 20-way electrically adjustable with heating and ventilation functions, offering good support and wrapping, ensuring comfort even on long drives. The rear seats also feature heating and ventilation, can be folded in a 35:20:35 ratio, and offer generous legroom. A 180cm-tall passenger has about two fists' distance between their knees and the front seats. In terms of storage, the door pockets can hold two large bottles of water, the central armrest box is deep enough, and the trunk offers a standard capacity of 909L, which can be expanded further by folding down the rear seats—sufficient to meet the storage needs of family outings. In terms of features, a head-up display, rear-seat LCD screens, Meridian 19-speaker audio system, and tri-zone climate control come standard, balancing practicality and luxury.

In terms of power, the 5.0L supercharged V8 engine delivers a maximum output of 525PS, with peak torque sustained in the 2500-5500rpm range, paired with an automatic transmission. At start-up, a light press on the accelerator immediately delivers a noticeable push-back sensation. Officially, it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. In actual experience, deep pressing the accelerator while overtaking activates a quick response from the engine. The transmission shifts smoothly with virtually no noticeable jerkiness. Multiple driving modes are available; in Sport mode, throttle sensitivity increases, and steering becomes heavier, offering a more engaging driving experience. In Eco mode, power output is more subdued, suitable for daily commutes. The chassis employs a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. It effectively absorbs minor bumps or speed humps on urban roads, ensuring a smooth ride without noticeable jolts. When cornering, body roll is well controlled, providing reassuring stability. As a full-time four-wheel-drive model, its off-road capabilities are also reliable—on mildly muddy or uneven roads, the four-wheel-drive system swiftly allocates power. Coupled with the hill-assist function, its off-road performance is more than sufficient.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 12.8L/100km. During our actual test, it was around 15L under urban congested conditions, while it dropped to around 11L during highway cruising, meeting the expectations for a large displacement V8 engine. Noise control is very well done; at high speeds, wind noise and tire noise are not significant. The sound insulation effect of the Meridian sound system also adds points, maintaining a quiet environment inside the car. The braking performance is stable, with short braking distances, inspiring sufficient confidence.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2017 Range Rover 5.0 Supercharged Vogue SE are very evident: strong power, rich configuration, good comfort, and retaining good off-road capabilities. Compared to its peers, such as the BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS, its off-road performance is more prominent, and its configuration is more comprehensive. Its cost-effective positioning is at a mid-to-high level among luxury SUVs. This car is suitable for two types of users: first, those who value family travel comfort with occasional off-road needs; second, business professionals who pursue luxury quality and strong power. If you need a luxury SUV that can balance daily commuting, family travel, and light off-roading, it will be a good choice.