{"id":34764,"date":"2022-10-28T06:03:47","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T10:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=34764"},"modified":"2022-10-28T06:03:47","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T10:03:47","slug":"2023-range-rover-road-test-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=34764","title":{"rendered":"2023 Range Rover Road Test Review: It&#8217;s like butter &#8211; Autoblog"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>PIONEERTOWN, Calif. \u2013 Butter. Sexy, opulently gold butter is just the best way to describe this 2023 <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/land+rover\/range+rover\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:0;\">Range Rover<\/a> First Edition. The twin-turbo V8 smoothly whisking you forward \u2026 butter. The adaptive air suspension wafting down the road and making railroad tracks feel like ant hills? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=haunEK4HLI8\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:1;\">As Linda Richmond would say<\/a>, \u201c<em>buttah<\/em>.\u201d The primary controls for the steering, throttle and <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/tag\/brakes\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:2;\">brakes<\/a> that are all similarly weighted, friction-free and impeccably precise \u2026 like a knife slicing through supple Tillamook Extra Creamy. The lusciously soft leather and even its <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/tag\/colors\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:3;\">color<\/a> in this particular Rover? Yep, butter.<\/p>\n<p>And when you\u2019ve just spent the day being jostled and bashed about on a rugged, rock-strewn trail in a firm-riding <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/photos\/heavy-duty-trucks\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:4;\">heavy-duty truck<\/a>, you know what you want to climb into for a drive home? That\u2019s right, butter. And feel free to insert \u201criding my horse\u201d or \u201cvigorous workout\u201d or \u201cmatch against Chelsea\u201d in lieu of my personal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/2022\/10\/24\/2023-ram-2500-rebel-review\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:5;\">Ram Rebel first drive<\/a> example, but whatever the pre-Rover activity, know that it\u2019ll be a very welcome sight. There might as well have been a beam of sun streaming from the heavens directly onto the Range Rover, its matte gold paint gleaming like it was the subject of a Renaissance fresco. Angels going \u201c<em>aaaahhhhhh<\/em>\u201d and such.<\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that this\u2019ll be the case if you\u2019ve brought three friends along as well. Atop that butter base is stacked piles of decadent toppings for the long drive home after a long, hard day. Each of the outboard seats in this First Edition are heavenly. All are heated, ventilated and offer a multitude of massage options. Those up front are power-adjustable in 14 directions with additional lumbar movements, while those in back are six-way power adjustable, including power head rests and a seat bottom that moves upwards at the front while it moves forward to increase thigh support. And as these are \u201cExecutive Class Comfort\u201d rear seats, the passenger-side one includes an extended calf rest and a pop-down foot rest mounted to the passenger seat that automatically slides forward at the push of a single button on the rear touchscreen controller. Oh, and those two leg rests are heated, too. So are the armrests.<\/p>\n<p><style><![CDATA[.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }]]><\/style>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n <lite-youtube videoid=\"u-e8UfBmgDo\" data-thumbnail=\"\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Once under way, all will appreciate how little noise from the outside world filters in despite the fact you\u2019re traveling in a giant brick through Earth\u2019s atmosphere. The engine is quiet apart from the smooth, purr-like rumble that\u2019s very Jaguar-Land Rover despite the 523-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 hailing from <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/bmw\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:6;\">BMW<\/a>. There\u2019s really nothing in the way of road noise despite the 23-inch wheel-and-tire package, but if there\u2019s a misstep here, it\u2019s the size of those wheels. There are occasional uncouth shivers felt through the structure over various sharper impacts that would obviously be filtered out with a bit more sidewall. You know, like the optional 22s or, gasp, standard 21s. If you want maximum butter, go with those.<\/p>\n<p>Road holding? That adaptive air suspension has absolutely no problem being hustled along, while the rear-wheel steering noticeably provides the feeling of shrinking this long SUV around tighter corners. It does a similar job in parking lots, and there\u2019s a particularly amusing sensation to be experienced when pulling back onto the road from a sandy shoulder as you feel the right-turning rear wheels fight for traction while the left-turning front wheels claw at the pavement. Sandy drifts in this thing would be fun. There\u2019s even a drive mode for it \u2013 well, for sand, not specifically for drifting in sand.<\/p>\n<p>That was the extent of the off-roading on this journey, because as previously mentioned, that was accomplished in a <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/dodge\/ram+2500\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:7;\">Ram 2500<\/a> Rebel. Perhaps it\u2019s ironic to drive an iconic off-roader like a Range Rover to go drive something else off-road, but does it really seem so wrong? No matter how sophisticated and capable its height-adjustable suspension, 4&#215;4 drivetrain and multiple off-road drive modes are, the Range Rover First Edition still has those silly 23-inch wheels wrapped in definitely-not-all-terrain rubber. And there\u2019s no way in hell I\u2019d risk that $7,450 Sunset Gold matte paint (which really does look incredible, by the way, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/2021\/12\/21\/7-questions-hannah-custance\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:8;\">well done Hannah Custance<\/a>) to the ravishes of spikey desert trees. Maybe some muddy roads on my English estate, but Branson had better be standing by with a hose upon my return.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"grp-full\" src=\"https:\/\/o.aolcdn.com\/images\/dims3\/GLOB\/legacy_thumbnail\/800x450\/format\/jpg\/quality\/85\/https:\/\/s.aolcdn.com\/os\/ab\/_cms\/2022\/10\/24194144\/2023-Range-Rover-interior.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In a related point, <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/land+rover\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:9;\">Land Rover<\/a> actually offers a $5,000 Equestrian pack that includes front and rear mudflaps, rubber <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/tag\/floor+mats\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:10;\">floor mats<\/a> and something called a portable rinse system in addition to a custom Yeti cooler, tailgate picnic basket, wool blanket, garment bag, canvas tote and whatever a Horse Cooler is. Wait, you thought I was being hyperbolic with that \u201criding my horse\u201d example up top? No no no.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>All of this is to say that the all-new 2023 Range Rover is just as much of a limo-like flagship <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/car-finder\/luxury\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:11;\">luxury vehicle<\/a> as an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/2021\/06\/21\/2021-mercedes-benz-s-class-review\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:12;\">S-Class<\/a> or 7 Series. Is it quite to <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/bentley\/bentayga\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:13;\">Bentley Bentayga<\/a> level? I don\u2019t know, I haven\u2019t driven one, but come on. Would you really want to drive <em>that <\/em>instead of all this sexiness? Ditto that <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/rolls_royce\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:14;\">Rolls-Royce<\/a> monstrosity or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/2021\/02\/18\/2021-mercedes-maybach-gls-600-review\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:15;\">Maybach GLS 600<\/a>. Even if they all drive like butter too, none are as achingly cool as this masterpiece of design, styling and taste.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The grand total for this particular masterpiece was $176,375, including destination. My guess was going to be at least $25,000 higher, so maybe that speaks to its value along with being (arguably) more desirable than a <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/bentley\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:16;\">Bentley<\/a> or <a class=\"injectedLinkmain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/maybach\/\" data-ylk=\"elm:context_link;itc:0;pos:1;sec:donut-hole;cpos:17;\">Maybach<\/a>? Nah, it\u2019s still goofy expensive. That said, you definitely don\u2019t need to get a First Edition, as rungs much lower on the ladder (it starts at $105,975) are still able to deliver the same features and style, minus the matte paint option. You\u2019ll also eventually be able to get an all-electric powertrain that\u2019ll inject even more smooth, effortless and quiet butter into the Rover\u2019s veins. I\u2019ll make sure to arrange for a particularly bruising activity whenever I get a chance to sample one of those.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PIONEERTOWN, Calif. \u2013 Butter. Sexy, opulently gold butter is just the best way to describe this 2023 Range Rover First Edition. The twin-turbo V8 smoothly whisking you forward \u2026 butter. The adaptive air suspension wafting down the road and making railroad tracks feel like ant hills? As Linda Richmond would say, \u201cbuttah.\u201d The primary controls [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34765,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-workers-unions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34764\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}