fact took the new Range Rover SE for a spin to explore firsthand how well it upholds a long-standing luxury legacy.

Range Rover has spent more than half a century shaping the luxury SUV, and the latest SE shows how comfortably that identity can evolve. Mild-hybrid assistance joins the familiar mix of refinement and capability, yet the car remains unmistakably Range Rover.

We spent time inspecting and driving the new model to see how the latest powertrain fitted into the experience. Given Range Rover’s standing among luxury SUVs, there was plenty for the SE to live up to.

Grace with Gravitas

In person, the new Range Rover has a beautifully sculpted quality. Broad, smooth surfaces give the body real presence without making it look heavy, while the falling roofline, strong waistline and rising sill line create that unmistakable profile. The short front overhang and tapered boat-tail rear lend elegance to its substantial proportions.

Santorini Black suited our test car superbly, emphasising the smooth surfaces and clean lines of the bodywork. The Nickel Atlas Exterior Pack added measured contrast, while Pixel LED headlights sharpened the front. To our eyes, the 22-inch diamond-turned wheels gave the car a stronger, more grounded stance.

The deployable side steps extended when needed, then tucked themselves neatly away again – preserving the clean lines, along with our dignity on the way in.

“There is a great deal of technology beneath the surface, yet the experience remains calm, polished and intuitive.”

Layers of Luxury

Inside, the Caraway cabin made an immediate impression. Perforated Windsor leather, Noble Chrome controls, Natural Brown Walnut veneer and Duo Tone headlining gave the interior richness and depth. The Extended Leather Upgrade added yet another layer of refinement, while the low, layered dashboard and neatly integrated vents kept the architecture clean and calm.

The 20-way electrically adjustable front seats offered memory, four-way lumbar adjustment and cushion extension, while rear passengers benefitted from power recline. From the Command Driving Position, visibility was excellent and the Range Rover’s size soon felt easy to judge.

Cabin Air Purification Pro could prime the interior before a journey, while the centre-console refrigerator kept drinks chilled. The latter quickly justified its place in the console.

Control Without Complexity

The technology matched the cabin’s restraint. The curved 13.1-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen is substantial, but its slim, floating appearance keeps the dashboard elegant, and the functions we used most were generally only a tap or two away.

The Interactive Driver Display presented key information clearly, while wireless charging reduced clutter. The ClearSight interior rear-view mirror and 3D Surround Camera proved particularly useful in tighter spaces.

Our test car’s Meridian Sound System combined a 400W amplifier, 14 speakers and a dual-channel subwoofer. The sound was rich and beautifully detailed, and generous enough to lend a little credibility to some questionable playlist choices.

Power Beneath the Polish

On the road, the mild-hybrid system suited the Range Rover exceptionally well. Its 2,996cc six-cylinder setup produces 360PS and 500Nm, channelled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

With Dynamic Launch engaged, 0-100km/h took 6.2 seconds. For a luxury SUV weighing around 2.4 tonnes, the acceleration felt almost cheekily brisk. The Range Rover gathered speed with impressive authority, never giving the impression that mass was something it needed to negotiate.

Electronic Air Suspension and Adaptive Dynamics maintained the composure we expected, while All Wheel Steering made the SE noticeably easier to place at lower speeds. The 10.95-metre kerb-to-kerb turning circle was especially welcome in town.

Terrain Response 2, a twin-speed transfer box, 291mm of off-road ride height and 900mm wading depth preserve this Range Rover’s formidable ability beyond the tarmac.

Assurance Without Interference

The assistance systems were comprehensive and pleasingly discreet. Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Emergency Braking, Rear Traffic Monitor and Rear Collision Monitor worked together with little intrusion during our drive.

Park Assist, front and rear parking aids and the 3D Surround Camera helped in tighter spaces, while Driver Condition Monitor and Occupant Protection Assist added reassurance.

The systems made themselves useful when required and then quietly receded from the experience. Happily, none seemed particularly desperate for attention.

A Modern Range Rover, Fully Realised

The SE left us feeling that the Range Rover formula remains remarkably coherent. There is a great deal of technology beneath the surface, yet the experience remains calm, polished and intuitive.

More importantly, the mild-hybrid system complements the sixcylinder engine, which provides ample reserves when required, while the chassis retains the capability that has always separated Range Rover from less versatile luxury SUVs.

That coherence is ultimately what makes the SE so appealing. It feels modern but not novelty led. It is luxurious but measured, with its capability simply there when needed. It carries the Range Rover idea forward with confidence – and keeps the drinks cold while doing so. ✤

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