It’s not often that a radically upgraded Range Rover enters the world, but Land Rover certainly knows how to make a splash when it does. The outgoing Range Rover performed its job well but criticized its exterior styling and some of its technology. Land Rover is out to the right those wrongs and has unveiled the 2022 Range Rover.
New Exterior Styling Smooths Out The Edges, Generates New Discussion
One of the significant changes that’s coming to the 2022 Range Rover is also one of Land Rover’s biggest gambles, with the SUV now adopting a minimalist approach to exterior design. There’s no vast chrome grille or exaggerated features here, with Land Rover designers going for simplicity and modernism. The front fascia is uncluttered and is adorned with a tasteful front grille and sleek-looking headlights. The side profile retains its slab sides and even incorporates an old-school falling roofline.
The rear of the new Range Rover is the most interesting, with the old taillights being pitched for a new slitted light bar that wraps around the middle of the tailgate and flows down on wither end to the rear fenders. Wild cues like this were once reserved for concept cars, but it’s good to see that Range Rover managed to incorporate this cool visual piece into a full-size SUV. However, the light touch of the design pen also creates an interesting problem when the SUV is adorned in specific colors, with the flagship appearing too underwhelming to the eye. That’s a shame since some of its rivals do better at standing out in the SUV sales wars.
New Interior Adds More Sustainable Materials Without Sacrificing Opulence
The exterior’s smooth character translates over into the interior, with the dashboard being a perfect example of understated design. The usual splashes of wood and high-end leather accents are present, but Land Rover designers added more environmentally friendly materials into the SUV. That includes wool-blend fabric and a new leather tanning process that promises to be more environmentally friendly than before. Buyers can also opt for animal-free materials throughout the entire Range Rover lineup. If they step up to the SV model, they can also add Ceramic accents on some spots of the interior, including the shifter.
A newly added 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is home to Pivi Pro. It promises to be a significant upgrade over the outgoing version with more straightforward-to-use features and even haptic feedback. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported, and Amazon Alexa is even added in with all three services offering wireless capability. A 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster is also available, and it comes with crisp, high-resolution graphics and is even configurable. Passenger space is also being addressed for 2022, with the standard and long-wheelbase models now having the ability to be equipped with a third-row seat.
Old Veterans And Newcomers Define 2022 Range Rover Performance Lineup
The 2022 Range Rover will also see some shuffling under the hood, with the base engine being a 3.0-liter inline-six which is paired to a 48-volt electric motor. This setup is good for 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Range Rover didn’t release any official EPA figures for the engine but look for the electrified hardware to make its mark on fuel economy.
An all-new 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 replaces the old 5.0 liter supercharged V8 and is also a return to form for Range Rover with BMW engines not seen in one since the early 2000s when Range Rover was briefly under BMW ownership. Those older models also used a 4.4 liter V8, but don’t be fooled; this particular 4.4-liter benefits from new engineering. The eight-cylinder produces 523 hp (a slight decrease from the 5.0 liter’s 550 hp), but it still delivers a respectable 553 lb-ft of torque. This V8 will also be the volume engine and make up the bulk of the initial Range Rover models that will make their way to dealerships.
Beyond those two engines, the 2022 Range Rover will also eventually incorporate a plug-in hybrid model and a fully electric version. However, buyers will have to wait a few more years before they get to see those models in the flesh.
When Can I Buy A 2022 Range Rover?
The redesigned Range Rover will begin making its way to dealerships next spring. While the SUV is available to order now, the company hasn’t released an official pricing ladder for the flagship SUV yet. However, look for the base model to potentially start at $105,000 with “volume” focused models potentially crossing the $110,000 mark.
In the meantime, look for more information to slowly trickle out over the next few months, and we hope to hear key details closer to its official launch.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.