2013 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged review

The new Land Rover tips the scales at 700 lbs less than the outgoing model, weighing 5,701 lbs

I love this 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged. Not going deny it. I drove it in rainy and muddy Morocco on the preview. From that experience I wrote things like “we weren't impressed that the truck handled it all [I was referring to the nasty Moroccan roads made worse from all the rain]. Of course it did -- we expected nothing less. What did impress us was the ease and smoothness with which it took everything we could throw at it on road and off. It drives like the best luxury cars…”

And: “The air suspension kept the body much more controlled than the outgoing model, thus roll in corners was reduced making it handle way better than any 5,000-pound SUV has a right to…”

Now, driving one locally, my first experience is underscored. This is just one hell of a truck. Not very scientific or analytical -- I get that. But it's the truth.

It looks terrific outside and is beautifully built inside. It smoothes the worst of Detroit's potholes to the point where you don't feel them -- other automakers can only dream their SUVs rode this well. The 700 pounds Land Rover engineers took out compared to the old one really helps here. This supercharged version definitely packs some punch, it goes like hell, and above 3,000 rpm it sounds like a hot rod. Shifts are unnoticeable unless you're watching the tach. Love the London-club interior. The big buckets are comfy, the view outward commanding. It is whisper quiet going down the road (again, like a luxury sedan). Overall, this is a smooth, quiet driving experience.

It was a terror offroad in Morocco if that matters to you.

I want one. A white one.


DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Time to temper Raynal's enthusiasm with a little dose of reality. Yes, the interior is beautiful, but beautifully built? A driver's seat that squeaked every time I moved says otherwise (I'm hardly a lithe person, but at 180 lbs I wouldn't think I'd be taxing the Rover's mounting bolts). It's also got the same mediocre infotainment head unit found throughout the Jaguar/Land Rover lineup, albeit with some minor improvements via hard buttons for key functions. Oh, and the sideview mirror adjustment switch was balky. “Piffle, chap. It'll drive up a berm!”

More welcome was the additional rear-seat legroom, immediately apparent as I strapped my kids in their boosters. Previous Range Rover models have been noteworthy for their almost 2+2 rear space, but this newest iteration finally allows rear passengers to at least feel they're in something akin to a 5-series .

The interior was beautiful but there were some flaws: the infotainment system and the seat to name a few

Does she go? Oh my, yes. The blown V8 is as stout as ever, though some of the aggression has been removed thanks to the ZF eight-speed automatic. Don't get me wrong -- the transmission is exquisitely paired with high-horsepower luxury rides like this, but it lowers the revs needed to extract the most from the AJ V8, making the whole experience somewhat less violent than the previous six-gear romp.

But that fuel economy. Egads! Looking back on our introductory stories, Land Rover claims this new aluminum-intensive body is 39 percent lighter than last year's, yet the fuel economy has climbed by one measly mpg on each of the cycles. How is that possible? Perhaps because the actual curb weight dropped by less than 200 lbs according to our test data. This is still a 3-ton, 500+ hp SUV, and there's only so much technology can do. I now understand why a diesel hybrid is on the way.

Of course, none of my critique is particularly relevant. Some folks are simply Range Rover people, just as some are Porschephiles and others are Honda slappies. Shortcomings are easily overlooked when one wants to identify with a particular vehicle, and for some a Range Rover represents the persona they wish to convey. For those folks, rest content in the knowledge that this is by far the best Range Rover ever. For the more open-minded, can I show you something in, say, a Mercedes-Benz GL350?

The Land Rover was smooth on the road and took Detroit's potholes well Photo

2013 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged

Base Price: $99,995

As-Tested Price: $114,930

Drivetrain: 5.0-liter supercharged V8; 4WD, eight-speed automatic

Output: 510 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 461 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 5,701 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 13/19/15 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 14.5 mpg

Options: Front and rear climate control package including four zone climate controlled seats, solar activated glass, adjustable seat bolsters, recline and fold and lumbar adjustable front seats ($4,150); rear seat entertainment center with touchscreen remote and two wireless headphones ($2,400); premium audio system including 825-watt 19-speaker surround sound ($1,850); premium exterior paint ($1,800); vision assist package including surround camera system, high beam assistant adaptive front lights, blind-spot monitor, traffic and reverse sensors, blind-spot monitoring ($1,550); shadow walnut veneer ($1,510); park assist ($650); soft door close ($600); heated wood leather steering wheel ($425)