With 23-inch wheels and a matte copper paint, the SV received a lot of stares.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The new Range Rover SV is the ultimate and most expensive version of the brand’s original luxury off-roader. SV which stands for “special vehicle” means that this Range Rover adds even more luxury features and can be personalized further than a regular one. The starting price is just over $268,000 or $52,000 more than an Autobiography trim. Aside from the badge, there’s not much on the surface to distance it from the other models in the lineup, and what you get for all that extra cash isn’t clear.
British Leyland Motor Corporation, Ltd. introduced the Range Rover line of four-wheel drive vehicles in 1970. It had coil springs and four-wheel disc brakes, making it comfortable around town and still capable when the road ended. While it wouldn’t have been considered luxurious by today’s standards, it arguably set the template for the modern luxury SUV. In its current evolution, it’s a far cry from that rather spartan original and has morphed into a status symbol for its well-heeled customers.
The latest Range Rover combines the luxury and the technology of a Mercedes S-Class with the off-road ability of a Jeep Wrangler. It has an undeniable presence aided by its monolithic sheet metal and it’s purposely oversized so you sit higher than most other SUVs.
The SV uses a BMW-sourced V8 to make 607 horsepower, 84 more than the Autobiography. It’s a wonderful engine with boatloads of torque, but only manages to knock a tenth of a second off the sprint to 100 kilometres an hour time.
The cabin is a masterclass in minimalism and the centre touchscreen controls everything. In a recent update, the physical climate controls and the volume knob were nixed, resulting in a more frustrating user experience. It’s a shame too, because Land Rover’s infotainment system is otherwise intuitive and quick to respond and didn’t benefit from having to take on even more functions.
In the back, there are business-class thrones that recline and massage. If you sit behind the front passenger seat you get a leg rest that folds out as the front seat moves forward. You can control it all with a screen embedded in the armrest that automatically folds away at the touch of a button. Everything from the rear sunshades to the tonneau cover is power-operated. Even the cupholders slide electrically out of a drawer in the armrest.
The SV can be personalized with one of two themes but that costs even more. The “Intrepid” theme on my tester had a matte copper paint job, mirror-finish trim and an interior draped in a sustainable leather alternative that felt like the outside of a peach. It also had fine wood veneers and ceramic controls. It all felt rich and exclusive but also quite similar to the last one I drove, which wasn’t an SV. That version might not have had the leather-free interior, but its top-grain leather was creamy and supple and it had “only” 523 horsepower – but I’d be lying if I told you I felt much of a difference.
The special part of this “Special Vehicle” is missing or, at the very least, it doesn’t feel any more special than an Autobiography, which comes with nearly all the same features and luxuries.
There are also issues with the ride. Larger bumps and broken pavement reverberate and shudder through the cabin and can jostle rear occupants almost like it’s on leaf springs and not a sophisticated air suspension. On the highway things smooth out and I feel like I’m floating above the road, but there’s too much wallow, which can become disconcerting at higher speeds.
The Range Rover SV certainly has its place in this upper echelon of luxury vehicles. What that $52,000 gets you seems less important than the bragging rights and exclusivity that comes with the badge. And Range Rover will likely sell every single one.
Tech Specs
2024 Range Rover SV
- Base / as-tested: $238,600 / $274,045 plus $1,900 for freight and predelivery inspection and fees and taxes, including the luxury tax.
- Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 607 / 553
- Transmission/drive: Eight-speed automatic / all-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption* (litres per 100 kilometres): 15.1 city; 11.1 highway; 13.3 combined
- Alternatives: Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Maybach GLS, Rolls-Royce Cullinan
*2023 figures
This version of the SV rings in at almost $300,000.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Looks
The current Range Rover is an epic bit of design, instantly recognizable but thoroughly modern and devoid of any extra decoration or body cladding. You can equip it with massive 23-inch wheels and the matte copper paint drew stares everywhere. The front licence plate zip-tied to the bumper was less elegant, but there didn’t seem to be anywhere else to mount it.
The front licence plate is zip-tied to the bumper.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Interior
As nice as it gets. The leather-free interior feels as premium as the finest hide and no animals were harmed to make it. The rear seats are the place to be with full power controls, a massage function and your own TV screen.
The footrest for the rear seats pops out of the front passenger seat.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The 607 horsepower is more than enough to move this 2,700+ kilogram behemoth up to motorway speeds at a surprising clip, but the soft suspension and feather-light steering don’t inspire confidence when the road gets twisty.
The front seats and dash of the 2024 Range Rover SV.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Technology
Advanced four-wheel drive, electronic terrain management and four-wheel steering are part of the deal. Range Rovers are famous for their ability to take you far into the wilderness. It will also tell you how deep the river is that you are trying to ford.
The screen in the back seats controls everything and hides away in the armrest.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Cargo
Those reclining seats in the back take up a lot of room and don’t fold down, which limits the cargo capacity to 818 litres.
Cargo space is limited because the seats don't fold down.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
Exclusive and more expensive, just the ticket for one-upping your neighbour.
Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.