Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 2016 Review

Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8
Road Test

On first appearance, the Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 seems an exercise in excess. Including options, the vehicle tested here has a price approaching $240,000 plus on-road costs, which is luxury motoring in anyone's book. With such exceptional execution, however, this vehicle is simply superb, leading us to believe that it may be entirely possible to justify its eye-watering price tag.

There's no mistaking the classic lines of the Range Rover Vogue. For decades it's played a role as luxury transport for the elite, roaming the countryside from polo to paddock via Toorak and Brighton.

Styling changes over the years have seen exterior lines smoothed and rounded rather than fundamentally altered and the story is similar inside the cabin. The Vogue model has always been fashionably luxurious, combining comfort and technology to create an environment that is both elegant and cutting edge.

The Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 updates for 2016 continue this theme, the 'Special Equipment' referenced in the SE tag hinting at a great level of features and details to please both driver and passengers alike.

As you might expect from a vehicle with a starting price of $222,610, the inclusions are extensive but, even so, this vehicle still has enough added options to push the price tag to $238,610 plus on-road costs.

The most obvious of the options are styling upgrades. A $2600 black pack adds a black grille, front bumper and black details while the wheels are upsized with $3240 of 22-inch alloy rims finished in gloss black. Added to a vehicle finished in Santorini black paint with dark tinted windows, it all combines to give fellow drivers the distinct impression that the

Range Rover is housing a high roller or minor celebrity –  how very disappointing then when they realise it's just a humble motoring journalist.

The luxury continues inside where the Range Rover Vogue SE interior is finished in full leather, extending from the incredibly welcoming and comfortable seats in ebony leather to the door trims, dash and steering wheel in a combination of ivory and black leather.

The finish is opulent and accompanied by trims in a variety of quality finishes. Storage options are excellent and include drop-down, almost hidden pockets in the front doors, a dual-opening glovebox, a soft-close cover for the cup holders and a front centre console with bottle chiller – the latter a $580 option big enough for a 2-litre bottle of milk (or a fine Chablis).

Being a Land Rover, of course there's stacks of practical space in the rear too. The powered tailgate is dual opening and the base is strong enough to support a couple of picnickers. The rear seats can also be folded flat at the push of a button, extending the capacious rear to carry at least a couple of hay bales.

This vehicle has something for everyone. Both front seats and the two outer rear seats are heated and chilled, with 20-way adjustable seats in the front and power recline and rear seat power lumbar in the rear. To warm the hands on chilly starts, there's a heated steering wheel for the driver and tri-zone climate control ensures every passenger can manage their own temperature.

Rear passengers are also thoroughly catered for with multiple entertainment options. A 825W surround sound system sits behind the entertainment suite which includes digital TV, DAB+ digital radio, and an auxiliary input in the rear. It offers superb clarity of sound and is an exceptional audio system. Channels can be controlled up front via the colour touch screen or, in limo mode, the entire system can be controlled by the rear passengers via the remote control stowed neatly in the rear arm rest.

To ensure complete safety while driving, the front seat passenger can continue to watch a moving image while the vehicle is in motion thanks to clever dual view technology that ensures the driver can only see the control screen.

The technology story continues with a great surround camera system, including trailer hitch guidance, junction view and kerb view that helps you navigate this huge vehicle around car parks and through tricky manoeuvres without damaging it. To look after those expensive 22-inch wheels, kerb view comes in particularly handy, as these are not wheels you want to kerb anytime soon.

The Range Rover is also equipped with a $4360 parking pack which includes park assist and lane departure warning. The auto park feature is one of the quicker systems on the market, and delivers full confidence to parallel park the Vogue in spots in which drivers may not otherwise feel confident to tackle solo.

Rounding out the options list is a $2760 Alston headlining in a suede finish, active rear locking differential at $1120, sliding panoramic roof with power blinds at an affordable $800 and load space stowage rails at $540.

Powered by Land Rover's 4.4-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift, the Range Rover generates 250kW and 740Nm. That's sufficient to propel its 2300kg frame to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and gives the Vogue SE a claimed top speed of 218km/h.

While acceleration is swift and enjoyable using the Vogue's paddle shifters, there's no escaping that the Range Rover is dynamically challenged on road. While it romps along at speed, its height and high driving position does give you more of a Lady-of-the-Manor feel than Lady-at-Manor-racing.

Its size and weight, combined with its larger wheel and skinnier tyres, don't deliver great confidence in cornering, particularly on damp and light gravel roads.

Ironically for a fully capable off-roader, neither do those optioned wheels do anything to encourage you off the beaten track. They are definitely for urban use only and the thought of doing damage to them while trialling the Range Rover off-road was enough to deter me from putting it through its four-wheel drive paces properly.

We did try the auto off-road system out on a non-technical wet grass hill and were surprised that the system did not catch the vehicle and it began to slide. Employing the correct off-road setting via the easy-to-use dial did sort the situation out but if an all-wheel-drive car has an auto setting, you expect it to work immediately.

If you are one of the few owners who really do plan on taking the Range Rover four-wheel-driving then the All-Terrain Progress Control feature is a good introduction to its capability. The system is similar to cruise control but in an off-road setting. Press the ATPC button and select a speed from as low as 2km/h up to 30km/h and the Range Rover manages its speed and progress across difficult terrain – all the driver needs to do is give steering input.

Given the Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 is such a capable vehicle, it seems a shame that the majority of owners will never take theirs off the beaten track, but I guess the thing about a Range Rover is that you totally could if you wanted to. As we wrote recently, in the future it might even take you off-road itself.

The Vogue SE offers a special kind of environment that cossets and pampers. It is motoring that few motorists will get to experience and its price tag does take your breath away, but so does this vehicle. If you've made it, and you can afford it, then you deserve a Range Rover Vogue SE. Just do yourself a favour and buy a separate set of off-road wheels so you really do it justice.

2016 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 pricing and specifications:
Price: $238,610 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 4.4-litre eight-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 250kW/740Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 229g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Mercedes-Benz GLS 63 (from $217,900 plus ORCs)
>> Bentley Bentayga (from $423,600 driveaway)
>> Toyota Landcruiser Sahara (from $118,500 plus ORCs)