Range Rover P400
New mild hybrid petrol engine promises lower running costs without the need to plug in On sale Now Price from £90,545
ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT not look it at first glance, the Range Rover P400 represents a cleaner, greener era for this luxury SUV. Now, let’s not get carried away here – there’s still a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet – but the addition of a mild hybrid system means it’s faster and more fuel-efficient on paper than the V8 diesel alternative.
Despite being a hybrid, it’s still in the top (37%) benefit-in-kind company car tax bracket; you’ll need the slightly cheaper P400e plugin hybrid if you want to minimise your CO2 emissions or tax bills. But for those who just can’t plug one in, or for whom company car bills aren’t a concern, could the mild hybrid P400 be the pick of the range?
Well, although it isn’t quite as hushed as its BMW X7 xdrive40i rival, it’ll waft you along quickly enough with the merest murmur from under the bonnet. The electrical assistance merges so seamlessly with the engine that it feels more like a large naturally aspirated unit than a smaller turbocharged one.
While the engine pulls strongly enough at low engine speeds, you’ll need plenty of revs before it feels as fast as its 6.3sec 0-62mph time
RIVALS
suggests. At this point, the engine becomes quite vocal, but it’s by no means an unpleasant noise. That said, the lighter X7 is still a bit quicker and sounds sweeter.
It’s better on a twisty road, too. While the X7 handles its sizeable bulk rather well, the Range Rover’s soft air suspension allows it to lean over dramatically in bends in Comfort mode. Dynamic mode lowers and stiffens the suspension slightly to reduce body roll and there’s lots of grip, but you’d never call the Range Rover fun to drive quickly. Slow steering doesn’t help; tighter bends require plenty of arm-twirling.
The Range Rover delivers a distinctly old-school interpretation of comfort as it gently lollops down the road, smoothing off undulating road surfaces and proving a mighty motorway cruiser. We’d suggest sticking to 20in wheels if you want the best ride, though; on bigger optional alloys (as fitted to our test car), potholes send a dull thump to your backside.
Quietness is a definite Range Rover strong suit; there’s very little wind or road noise, and the engine is hushed at a motorway cruise. The only thing to taint the calm atmosphere is the
BUYER’S FILE
automatic gearbox; it shifts smoothly between gears but is hesitant when you call for hard acceleration on the move or from a standstill.
Thanks to having a far smaller hybrid battery, the P400’s vast boot isn’t encroached upon like it is in the P400e. There’s still no option of additional third-row seats, though.
The interior is typically Range Rover, with plenty of leather, wood and metal trimmings. Reclining rear seats are standard, and there’s enough space for tall adults to stretch out, even without opting for the long-wheelbase version.
Front seat occupants will have even fewer complaints; the driver is granted the very definition of a commanding driving position, and both get to enjoy exceedingly comfortable electric seats. The infotainment system responds quickly enough to inputs but can’t quite match the X7’s idrive system for ease of use.
Despite the mild hybrid tech, the best economy we saw during regular driving was an average of just over 24mpg. But although we wouldn’t recommend the P400 for its frugality, we can certainly see this smooth, powerful engine’s appeal. On balance, the diesel-fuelled SDV6 remains our Range Rover engine of choice. It isn’t quite as fast outright, but it feels more flexible when you’re pottering around and is noticeably more fuel-efficient on a typical journey.
Range Rover P400 Vogue Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox 0-62mph Top speed Fuel economy CO2, tax band
FIRST DRIVE