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Range Rover Diesel review: Gentle Giant

The Range Rover: Now available with polar bear-friendly diesel power (Credit: CarBuyer 222)
The Range Rover: Now available with polar bear-friendly diesel power (Credit: CarBuyer 222)

The best four-by-four by far gets even more frugal with diesel power

Singapore –

When it comes to luxury off-roading, the one name that invariably comes to mind is ‘Range Rover’. Most certainly, this gargantuan SUV specialises in tackling the rough stuff while pampering its occupants in utmost comfort. The latter quality is especially more so with this latest version, the Range Rover’s fourth iteration, which offers a level of opulence that can easily rival some of the best high-end limos available out there.

For those who want the ultimate Range Rover indulgence experience, the 5.0-litre V8 petrol version is arguably the one to get. However, if the thought of running such a huge, thirsty engine scares you, then there’s a solution, for the Range Rover is also available in slightly more environmentally-friendly 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel format.

The 3.0-litre TDV6 unit produces 258bhp and 600Nm of torque, and yet is frugal at the pumps (Credit: CarBuyer 222)
The 3.0-litre TDV6 unit produces 258bhp and 600Nm of torque, and yet is frugal at the pumps (Credit: CarBuyer 222)

Obviously, performance is not quite at the same level as the colossal V8, but the diesel unit pulls smoothly enough, and there’s definitely more than enough poke for driving about in urban Singapore. The 3.0-litre TDV6 produces 258bhp, but it’s the immense amount of torque, all 600 Newton metres of it, that impresses, enabling the 2.1 tonne Rangie to go from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds. It certainly feels sprightly enough if you push it, and makes light work of short bursts between traffic lights, though the car prefers to go about its business in a more dignified and refined manner.

If you insist on fooling around and having a little fun with it though, then the Range Rover is most certainly game, and in fact acquits itself rather well. Despite its size, the Range Rover feels tremendously effortless to manoeuvre, with one only really aware of the car’s size when negotiating tight carparks around town. The high seating position does help, in fairness, allowing the driver to have a commanding view all around to better judge the car’s girth.

Fancy graphics illustrate how power is distributed when you venture off-road (Credit: CarBuyer 222)
Fancy graphics illustrate how power is distributed when you venture off-road (Credit: CarBuyer 222)

And it’s not all show and no substance either, for when you want to take the Range Rover off the beaten track, it is also more than happy to oblige. Its Terrain Response Control system uses fancy electronics to enable the car to adapt to a variety of road surfaces, such as sand, rock or snow, selectable via the retractable selector knob located on the centre console. It certainly makes the task of bashing through jungles so much easier.

But if all you want to do is cruise around town in your Range Rover, then this particular variant does the job very well indeed. For a diesel there is barely any noise or clatter emanating from the engine bay, and of course, you get the benefit of paying less at the pumps, given that Range Rover quotes an average fuel consumption figure of 7.5 litres per 100km for the TDV6 engine, not bad for a car this large.

Lots of space in here. Almost enough to stash an eco-weenie or two (Credit: CarBuyer 222)
Lots of space in here. Almost enough to stash an eco-weenie or two (Credit: CarBuyer 222)

Clamber inside the Range Rover’s cabin (admittedly not an easy feat given the car’s height, but a task eased by the optional retractable side steps that’s available) and you’ll enter into an interior that’s packed to the brim with niceties. The usual stuff is here, such as sat-nav, Bluetooth, parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a top-end Meridian sound system. The cabin feels solidly put together, with plenty of high quality materials in use throughout, and there is lots of room for five and their stuff, with the split tailgate offering a generous 909 litres of cargo capacity.

Make no bones about it, the Range Rover is as close as you can get to being the perfect practical car for everyone. It relishes every task thrown at it, whether it be an off-road jaunt, a spirited drive down country roads, or simply functioning as an urban passenger vehicle. In diesel guise it throws in the bonus of fuel economy and efficiency too, so even those who have a guilty conscience about driving such a large SUV will have little to worry about.

Buy a Range Rover Diesel. This tree will thank you for it (Credit: CarBuyer 222)
Buy a Range Rover Diesel. This tree will thank you for it (Credit: CarBuyer 222)

NEED TO KNOW: Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

Engine 2,993cc, 24V, turbo diesel, V6
Power 258bhp at 4000rpm
Torque 600Nm at 2000rpm
Gearbox 8-speed automatic
Top Speed 210km/h
0-100kmh 7.9 seconds
Fuel Efficiency 7.5L/100km
CO2 196g/km
Price $550,000 with COE
Availability Now