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Land Rover has a brand new halo product in the form of the 2022 Range Rover. But it also has a serious problem on its hands because the luxury SUV market has never been tougher.
The original 1970 Range Rover wasn’t the first luxury SUV, but it went on to dominate the segment for the next 30 years. Today though, the Range Rover is under attack from all sides. Its position as the ultimate luxury SUV has been undermined by even more sumptuous and expensive SUVs from Bentley, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Maybach and Rolls Royce, and there are plenty of other off-roaders reaching up from the class below that are ready to have a pop at the $100k price point where the 2022 starts.
Your $100k buys you an entry-level SWB five-seat Range Rover SE powered by a 395 hp 3.0-liter inline six gas motor. That will get you to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, and air suspension, active roll control, and a new 13.1-inch Pivo Pro touchscreen all come as part of the package.
Read: 2022 Range Rover Revealed With With BMW V8, PHEV And EV Coming 2023
Range Rover
› Price range: $104,000 to $200,000 (EST)
› Dimensions: 199″ L (LWB 207″) x 87″ W x 74″ H
› Power: 395-hp to 523-hp
At the other end of the scale you’ll find the $163,500 LWB First Edition equipped with a new BMW-sourced 523-hp 4.4 twin-turbo V8, and for more like $200k, Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team will sell you a hand-finished SV flagship.
But is the 2022 Range Rover really the best place to sink your luxury SUV budget? Stick around while we take a look at the rivals.
Bentley Bentayga
› Price range: $198,890 to $273,300
› Dimensions: 202″ L x 79″ W x 67″ H
› Power: 443-hp to 626-hp
The Bentley Bentayga’s brash styling won’t suit fans of the classically elegant Range Rover, and vice versa, but it carries even more brand cachet and has been kicking the Land Rover’s ass in the luxury and power stakes for years.
The six-cylinder 443-hp PHEV and 542-hp V8 broadly line up with Range Rover’s offerings, but only the Bentayga offers a 626-hp 6.0-liter W12 that can hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus that share the Bentayga’s platform will lap a track more quickly, but they also top out at eight cylinders.
BMW X7
› Price range: $74,900 to $141,300
› Dimensions: 203″ L x 79″ W x 71″ H
› Power: 335-hp to 612-hp
The blue and white propeller is probably considered blue-collar by Range Rover’s marketing team, as are Audi’s Q7 and Q8 SUVs. But the $99,800 BMW X7 M50i is powered by the same 523-hp twin-turbo V8 that’ll cost you an extra $20k in the Brit SUV.
Related: Alpina Says Its Customers Aren’t Interested In EVs As Range Would Be An Issue
Interestingly, the Range Rover is a tenth quicker to 60 mph (4.4 seconds) than the M50i, but the X7 has an ace up its sleeve in the form of the 612-hp Alpina XB7 that’ll do the job in four dead.
Cadillac Escalade
› Price range: $76,295 to $111,255
› Dimensions: 212″ L (227″ L ESV) x 81″ W x 77″ H
› Power: 277-hp to 420-hp
The Cadillac Escalade was refreshed for 2021 and these days it features independent rear suspension, but it’s still an old fashioned body-on-frame SUV at heart.
Range Rover buyers might sneer at the Chevy Tahoe DNA, but the Cadillac isn’t short on luxury and tech features, including Super-Cruise semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control (when the chips are back in stock, at least) and a 38-inch triple screen gauge pack and infotainment screen combo.
And in extra-long ESV spec you’ll not want for space. Pace, though? That’s a different story. Don’t expect the 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 or gentle handling (all-wheel drive is optional) to come close to matching the Range Rover’s on-road performance, though the upcoming Blackwing-powered Escalade V might change things. Oh, there’s also a 277-hp 3.0-liter turbo diesel available too.
GMC Hummer EV SUV
› Price range: $79,995 to $105,595
› Dimensions: 197″ L x 87″ W x 81″ H
› Power: 625-hp to 830-hp
Thinking of hanging on for the 2024 Range Rover EV? Then you might want to consider the Thanos of SUVs, the reborn Hummer EV. The Edition 1 cars arriving in early 2023 are all sold out, but GMC will roll out the rest of the range over a 12-month period from spring of that year.
Triple motor versions will torture their crab-walking wheels with up to 830 hp and a scarcely believable 11,500 lb-ft of torque to send this monster truck made real to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. But fractionally more sensible dual-motor Hummers with 625 hp and up to 300 miles of range will likely be more than adequate for most buyers.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
› Price range: $88,440 to $104,845
› Dimensions: 215″ L x 84″ W x 76″ H
› Power: 471-hp
History buffs will tell you the original Jeep Wagoneers were doing the luxury SUV thing long before the Range Rover was around, and after a 30-year layoff they’re back.
Related: Jeep Boss Feels “Sorry” For Buyers Of The Ford Explorer Timberline
Both the regular Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer share the same wheelbase, body design and seven-seat layout, but the Grand has more engine (a 471-hp 6.4 V8 instead of a 392-hp 5.7), more screens, and will cost you $30,000 more of you money. As far as we’re concerned, luxury American SUVs don’t get more desirable than this.
Lexus LX
› Price range: $90,000-$100,000 (EST)
› Dimensions: N/A
› Power: 409-hp
Toyota’s Land Cruiser isn’t coming to the U.S., but it’s upscale Lexus LX cousin is, and that badge makes it a much better match for the Range Rover when it comes to car park kudos.
It should be a good match in the dirt too, thanks to its new TNGA body-on-frame platform that helps reduce weight by 441 lbs (200 kg) versus last year’s model, and a huge list of gadgets that includes Toyota’s famous Crawl Control system.
You’ll have to settle for six cylinders, but since the new 409 hp twin-turbo 3.5 V6 makes 26 hp and 76 lb-ft (479 lb-ft) more than the old 5.7 V8, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Lincoln Navigator
› Price range: $78,865 to $105,570
› Dimensions: 210″ L x 80″ W x 76″ H
› Power: 440-hp
If you want to shop at a Lincoln dealer these days, you buy an SUV or go home empty handed. And the biggest and baddest of those SUVs is the Lincoln Navigator. Just as Caddy’s Escalade shares DNA with the Chevy Tahoe, so the Navigator can trace its roots to the Ford Expedition, but you’d never guess looking at the 13.2-inch touchscreen, or the beautiful open-pore wood featured on the more expensive trim levels.
The nearest this 440-hp whale gets to sporty is when hauling your hockey team around in its huge three-row cabin, so let the semi-autonomous Active Glide system take the strain, and the wheel, and do the navigating for you.
Mercedes-Benz GLS & Maybach GLS
› Price range: $77,050 to $161,500
› Dimensions: 205″ L x 77″ W (Maybach 80″) x 72″ H
› Power: 362-hp to 603-hp
You can get into a basic Mercedes GLS 450 for less than $80k, or a V8-powered GLS580 for around the same $104,000 that’d net you a six-cylinder Range Rover, but neither has the same cachet.
Related: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Spied With Huge Covered Grille And Aerodynamic Body
You might argue that the $132,100 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 gets a little closer on curb appeal, and at 4.1-seconds to 60mph will put distance between itself and the Range Rover at the lights. But if you really want a GLS that’ll turn heads (and, potentially, stomachs), and are prepared to sacrifice some of the AMG’s pace for even more luxury, the $161,500 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is the one you want.
Rolls Royce Cullinan
› Price range: $384,750 to $455,725
› Dimensions: 210″ L x 85″ W x 72″ H
› Power: 563-hp
The Bugatti of SUVs, at least until Bugatti gets around to making one of its own, the Rolls Royce Cullinan is so outrageously expensive you could buy four Range Rovers for the price of one Black Label.
But none of those Range Rovers would come with a 592-hp, 6.7-liter twin-turbo V12 or a grille that looks like someone stole a gravestone from outside a Victorian church and had it chrome plated. There are luxury SUVs, and then there’s the Rolls Royce Cullinan.
Has Land Rover done enough to put the 2022 Range Rover ahead of these rivals? Let us know which luxury SUV you’d buy, and why.
Time To Vote For Your Favorite Large Luxury SUV
So all said and done, if you had the dough, which one would be your pick to park in your driveway?
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Osprey Cars has just unveiled its latest project, this time unveiling a custom-built classic Land Rover Defender that makes the new Defender seem a little vanilla.
The restomod specialist first started work on the powertrain and chassis of the Defender, installing it with a new 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine pumping out an impressive 435 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. A HD LT230 transfer case is also featured, as is a performance exhaust, stainless brake lines, and stainless fuel lines.
Read Also: Osprey Unveils Classic Land Rover Defender With A 6.2-Liter V8
Supporting this new powertrain is a complete revamp of the suspension system that includes a subtle lift, terra firma shocks and springs, a terra firma steering stabilizer, HD drag link and track rod, and HD axles.
As always, Osprey also focused extensively on the exterior of the Defender and have painted the body in a stunning shade dubbed Nara Bronze. Contrasting this paint are black fenders and accents. The off-roader is also rolling on 18-inch Kahn wheels with Cooper AT tires and features LED lights both front and rear.
The interior of the Defender rounds out the alterations. Most notably, the cabin now features nine leather seats, including heated front seats. The headliner is clad in Alcantara to add to the luxury of the Defender and the off-roader has also been upgraded with power windows at the front, keyless entry, and a double din stereo with DVD, Bluetooth, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and a reversing camera. An eight-speed audio system is also featured.
A Land Rover Defender with a very interesting history is currently up for auction and looks ready to tackle even the most treacherous terrain.
This 1993 Defender was delivered new to the Turkish military before being acquired by its first private owner in 2003. The seller purchased the vehicle in June 2019 and set about comprehensively modifying it to mimic the Defenders used in the James Bond Spectre blockbuster.
Consequently, the off-roader is painted in Santorini Black and has been equipped with fender flares, an aftermarket front bumper with an integrated winch, a KBX grille, roof rack with auxiliary lighting, smoked taillights and LED headlights. It also features a rope draped over the hood, much like the Defenders used in Spectre.
Read Also: Jaguar Land Rover Loses Trademark Battle Over The Original Defender In The UK
The customized Defender also sports 16-inch black steel wheels with 37-inch Maxxi Crawler tires, has been raised four-inches with modified suspension components, and has a cage over the bed.
Further modifications have been done inside. For example, there are black leather sport seats with red piping, the headliner and carpets have been replaced and a new air conditioning system, Webasto heater, and MDX double-din touchscreen have been installed along with a heated windshield.
Powering the off-roader is a 3.5-liter V8 mated to a five-speed manual transmission that recently had the clutch replaced.
The Bring A Trailer listing reveals the Defender was imported into the United States in February 2020 and has 114,000 km (~69,000 miles) on the clock. It is being sold at no reserve with a clean New Jersey title and the auction ends in two days.
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The two slowest-selling new vehicles in the United States are both Mitsubishis, a new study has found.
During a recent analysis of 4.4 million new and used vehicles sold throughout the United States in the period from March through June 2020, it was discovered that the Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross are the slowest-selling new vehicles in the country. On average, it takes 197.7 days for an Outlander and 187.7 days for an Eclipse Cross to sell.
It is hardly a surprise that the Mitsubishi Outlander is so difficult to shift as it has been in production in third-generation guise, with minimal changes, since 2014 and there are many newer and more modern alternatives on the market.
Speaking about it, iSeeCars chief executive Phong Ly said: “The Mitsubishi Outlander compact SUV saw a 76 percent decrease in sales in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 2019, which shows that there isn’t high demand for the vehicle, despite its affordability and unique features like a third-row seat.”
Read Also: Next-Gen Mitsubishi Outlander Will Debut In Early 2021, Go On Sale Shortly Thereafter
It is somewhat of a surprise to see the Eclipse Cross so high up on the list, though, as it is still relatively new. However, like other Mitsubishi models, it is extremely basic and clearly failing to cash-in on demand for SUVs and crossovers in the United States.
The third slowest-selling new vehicle is the Buick Encore with an average sale time of 170 days. It was followed by the Nissan Frontier (158.3 days), Chevrolet Impala (153.1 days), Nissan Altima (151.9 days), Nissan Armada (151.2 days), Cadillac Escalade ESV (151.1 days), Range Rover Velar (150.4 days), and the Infiniti QX60 (149.9 days.)
It sure is not good for car manufacturers to have their new vehicles sitting around for so long. On the flip side, shoppers may find some good savings with such vehicles as dealerships should be eager to get them off their lots.
