The new Terrain Response system routes the power to where it's needed most. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

The crucial electronic system for tackling off-road situations is the updated Terrain Response 2 system, which is designed to react more quickly and appropriately to rough conditions. Driver-selected settings for various road surfaces optimize engine power, tire traction and suspension response, including variable ride height. It also informs the driver when to engage low range or manually change the suspension height.

A new automatic setting uses sensors to analyze the road conditions and select the correct terrain program between five settings: Grass/Gravel/Snow; Mud/Ruts; Sand; and Rock Crawl.

Two V8 engines are available: a naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 provides 375 horsepower, while the higher-priced models include a supercharged version of the engine with 510 horsepower. The non-inducted engine has plenty of power, but the supercharged V8 packs a wallop of hard-charging acceleration.

Fuel mileage is not so hot. According to the EPA, the regular V8 model gets 14 city and 20 highway while the supercharged version rates at 13 city and 19 highway. But that is an improvement over previous models.

The luxury interior has been streamlined with well-designed controls. (Photo: Land Rover)

Naturally, the new interior is gloriously sumptuous, though relatively restrained in design. The myriad controls are simply and intuitive, and the seats are like thrones. Rear-seat legroom has been increased 4.5 inches, and the rear cargo area behind the electrically operated clamshell hatch is voluminous.

One clinker in here was the electronic dashboard gauges, which looked too virtual and washed out in strong sunlight. It does impart a lot of helpful information to the driver during off-road maneuvers, including graphic display of off-camber wheel positions.

As a “luxury outdoors lifestyle vehicle,” as the PR people framed it, the Range Rover’s pricing ensures exclusivity, starting at around $83,000 for the base model with the naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 all the way up to about $131,000 for the top Autobiography supercharged model.

Our base supercharged model started off at $99,100, which climbed to $111,620 with the addition of audio, climate-cotnrol and exterior-camera options, plus shipping. And we were flogging all that up the nasty trail.

Most owners are likely to keep their Range Rovers on solid pavement. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

The original generations of Range Rover were notorious for quirky problems and reliability issues, which have been pretty much dialed out of the latest model, the Land Rover engineers assured us. Range Rover does have a cadre of loyal, well- heeled owners who have driven them for decades.

Our experiences driving the new Range Rover in the worst of conditions was most impressive, although it comes with the knowledge that only a fraction of owners will ever subject their expensive vehicles to such punishing treatment. You’re more likely to spot a Range Rover rolling majestically along Park Avenue than tramping through the wilds of southern Utah.

Yet, for those who do go off the highway, whatever the level of driving conditions, there will be no disappointment in how this splendid machine performs.

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door SUV, four-wheel drive.
Engines: 5-liter V8, 375 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, 375 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm/ 5-liter supercharged V8, 510 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 461 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm.
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic.
Wheelbase: 115 inches.
Overall length: 196.8 inches.
Curb weight: 4,850/ 5,137 pounds.
EPA mileage rating: 14 city, 20 highway, 16 combined (non-supercharged)/ 13 city, 19 highway, 15 combined (supercharged).

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at