If you win the lottery next Saturday, this is the tow car you want. It’s as simple as that.
Let’s start with the engine. Whereas most big off-roaders have six-cylinder turbodiesels under the bonnet, the Range Rover gets a 3.6-litre V8 with 267bhp and a staggering 472lb ft of torque. If you put some wheels under your house, it would tow it. Our 30-60mph sprint took just 11.5 seconds, and the hill start was embarrassingly easy.
What’s even harder to believe is how well the Range Rover tackles corners, staying remarkably flat and gripping hard.
Our practicality testers were impressed, too. Almost a full load of holiday luggage could fit in, there was a 12V socket in the boot, a full-size spare wheel, and the towing electrics were easy to access and use.
Five passengers should be comfortable enough inside, although legroom in the rear isn’t as generous as in many luxury saloons. The cabin is a great space to spend time, though, offering a real sense of occasion and excellent build quality.
Combined economy of 25.1mpg isn’t great, but that’s hardly a surprise, given the Range Rover’s speed and weight. However, Land Rover will offset the car’s carbon dioxide emissions for the first 45,000 miles of its life, so your green conscience shouldn’t prick you too much.
