2013 Range Rover blends rugged with refined (pictures)
It's hard to match the all-new Range Rover's blend of luxurious appointments and go-anywhere capability.
Antuan Goodwin
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The all-new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged
The newest generation of Range Rover switched from a body-on-frame to a monocoque construction, but it doesn't seem to have lost any of its off-road capability.
The headlamps now wrap around the corners of the vehicle and feature LED daytime running lights. Opt for the Vision package and the high beams will automatically deactivate when oncoming traffic is detected by a camera high in the windscreen.
Power exiting the engine must first pass through an eight-speed automatic transmission, then a two-speed transfer case, and then a sophisticated array of differentials on its way to all four wheels.
An optional $650 park assist system allows the Range Rover to measure parking spaces with its sonar sensors and take over the electronic power steering to guide the SUV into the spot.
The air suspension featured four levels of height adjustment. The standard height is fairly tall and offers pretty good ground clearance for most situations and good on-road manners.
There are also two off-road ride height levels that increase ground clearance, which in turn increases the approach and departure angles, break-over angle, and wading depth.
Like its sister brand's luxury sedans, the Range Rover features a fully digital instrument cluster that adapts to display audio source, navigation, and off-road options.
Physical controls for the climate control system are also well-designed and easy to understand. Sadly, this ease of use drops off significantly when it comes to the touch-screen infotainment system.
However, the menu structure hides many of the most commonly accessed features in submenus, requiring more driver interaction than we're comfortable with. Additionally, the shortcuts on the far right bezel were too far from the driver's seat for me to reach without stretching.
Getting to the address entry screen or the destination search requires about a half-dozen key presses. Even voice command address entry can be time-consuming.
The aforementioned Vision package also adds an array of cameras that arm the driver with an around-the-vehicle view. Unfortunately, full access to these cameras is hidden two levels deep in the touch-screen menu.
Perhaps the most useful of the cameras are the ones in the front bumper that give a pair of 90-degree views off of the front bumper, which is useful for nosing the large SUV out of blind spots. Thankfully, these cameras have a one-touch shortcut key.
A Comfort package adds four-zone climate controls, heated and cooled surfaces with pneumatic massage for the front row seats, and motorization for the second-row seats.
