2023 RANGE ROVER PHEV Electric Elegance

Land Rover has introduced the fifth-generation Range Rover, and the brand has hit a home run. For the latest version of the full-size SUV, a P440e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) joins the lineup ushering in a new era of electrified 4x4 luxury.

"The New Range Rover is a vehicle with a peerless character, from its impeccable exterior restraint to its cabin's flawless tranquil sanctuary. Informed by creative intellect and a desire for perfection, it doesn't follow fashion or trend, but a modernist design philosophy, combined with over 50 years of evolution, it is quite simply the most desirable Range Rover ever created," says Gerry McGovern, the chief creative officer at Jaguar Land Rover, in a press release.

Aesthetically, a perfect blend of the classic boxy off-roader profile and soft aerodynamic body lines helping the model achieve a slippery drag coefficient of 0.30 (that's early 997 Porsche 911 territory, just for a dated comparison's sake). One of the unique styling details is the tapered boat tail shape of the rear, where vertical sliver taillights flank the split-open tailgate.

Sitting in the driver's seat is like sinking into a well-loved sofa. Collaborating with premium vegan leathermaker

Ultrafabrics, customers can choose their interior to be upholstered using all sustainable materials. Beautiful wood and milled aluminum trim fill the space as usual, and a massive 13.1-inch curved floating Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen dominates the dashboard.

The ride is whisper quiet, and this is due to several factors such as a pre-emptive suspension system utilizing navigation data to prime damping to counteract any bumps in the road and active noise cancellation where the computer monitors wheel vibrations, tyre squeal and engine rumble, and then

By Benjamin Yong

Highlights

MSRP: $151,120

Motor: 3.0-Litre four-cylinder + Two Electric Motors

Horsepower: 434 @ 5,500 rpm

Torque (lb-ft): 406 @ 1,500 rpm

Gearbox: Eight-speed Automatic

Layout: Front-engine, All-wheel drive

Fuel economy: 7.6 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed) generates opposite sound waves through 35 onboard speakers to nullify audible distractions.

Providing propulsion is a powertrain comprised of a 3.0-litre turbo inline six-cylinder mill, a 105-kilowatt electric motor and a 38.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The vehicle can travel a maximum of 80 kilometres in zero emissions mode at speeds up to 140 km/h, and don't worry about endangering passersby when reversing into a parking spot — the backup chime is paradoxically loud.

While most PHEVs are only Level 2 charging compatible, the P440e supports Level 3 at 50 kilowatts, so a nearly-full top-up takes under an hour. Connected to the former? Expect about five hours to charge completely.

Also, unlike many other PHEVs, getting on the accelerator to pass or merge the torque from the ICE comes on silently and seamlessly. Output is rated at 434 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, sent to the front and rear axles. All-wheel steering stabilizes high-speed driving and allows the SUV to be incredibly nimble in the city at low speeds, mimicking a much smaller car.

The 2023 Range Rover is available in several gasoline and plug-in hybrid configurations, including the more powerful 510-horse P510e not sold in Canada. A pure EV variant is expected next year.