Range Rover Vogue Autobiography 2011 Review

Road Test

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $212,500
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $1800
Crash rating: Four-star
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 9.4
CO2 emissions (g/km): 253
Also consider Audi Q7 TDI, Lexus LX570,  Mercedes-Benz GL 450 CDI, Porsche Cayenne

About our ratings

Reviving a decade-old nameplate, the limited edition Vogue Autobiography brings an abundance of leather to Rangey's already opulent innards. Its dash pad, door casings and even floor mats have been given the rawhide treatment, topping an already high level of luxury, amenity and go-anywhere wherewithal.

Complemented in this instance by the British marque's tremendous turbodiesel V8 powerplant, the big Vogue manages Camry-like fuel economy figures, our week seeing a 10.6L/100km average -- that figure achieved despite liberal use of the 4.4-litre mill's 230kW/700Nm output.

Expectedly there is a little turbo lag but the intuitive eight-speed automatic transmission makes swift work of this brief deficit, thereafter providing imperceptible gear changes over any terrain. Brisk acceleration sees triple figures reached in just 7.8 seconds – quick enough to shame smaller sports hatches.

The powertrain is matched by equally impressive stopping power. The Vogue's muscular four-wheel disc brakes provide ample retardation and its innately amenable suspension system quickly compensates for any change in pitch, even allowing reasonably rapid changes in direction under heavy braking.

Steering, while relatively quick, does lack some of the feel found in Vogue's adversaries (Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GL, Porsche Cayenne) but this allows effortless around-town manoeuvrability. The heated leather-bound wheel is a nice touch, and despite its multitude of buttons and toggles, is relatively straightforward of function.

In spite of its squared-off glass house and sheet metal, Vogue's wind noise levels are negligible allowing quiet cruising or uninterrupted enjoyment of the high-end audio package. Bluetooth telephony and iPod integration are both included as standard, though wireless streaming is not available.

Other omissions at its $200K-plus pricetag are: proximity entry (you'll have to use the key fob); an electrically-operated tailgate; and active cruise control.

A practical additional negative observed was insufficient quantities of washer water to Vogue's upright screen. A more thorough mist system would preferable to the four-nozzle set up please Range Rover.

The Vogue's commanding [Ed: though bug splattered, it seems] view of the road and good sightlines all around are complemented by front and rear parking sensors and a rearward facing camera with guidance overlay.

Elsewhere, amenity items include heated and cooled seats, satellite navigation, electric tilt and slide sunroof, DVD and television functionality (with wireless headphones for rear seat passengers), auto headlamps and wipers, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, power windows and mirrors and keyless starter. The multifunction TFT screen instrument cluster is also a nice touch, but lacks the numeric speedo repeater found on Sport models.

The cigar club interior is of course, more than comfortable, its lashings of leather and wood balancing the brand's heritage with the modernity of its features and function. Essentially, Vogue's cabin wants for nothing.

If you're chasing a full-size SUV with real presence, limited edition esteem and definitive badge cachet look no further. Vogue Autobiography ticks the boxes and is certain to satisfy a multitude of lifestyles, no matter how demanding the ask.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site

*Range Rover Vogue TDV8 shown for illustrative purposes.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site