The 5th generation of the Range Rover recently broke cover, and our writer Graham Courtney went along to the UK launch to get some first impressions.

Okay, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I reckon this is the best-looking Range Rover ever. The previous model looked a bit bulky, especially at the rear, but not so with this one. It's smooth and sleek, and the rear lights only appear behind their dark lenses when you need them.

Importantly, this 5th iteration of the Range Rover is not an update; this is a brand new model from the ground up. Arguably the two most important models in this latest Range Rover aren't here just yet - 'the PHEVs'. The plug-in hybrids are due to arrive later on in 2022. Then in early 2024, we're expecting to see the first fully electric models silently roll out of the factory in Solihull. Land Rover reckons the plug-in version will manage close to 70 miles on battery power alone, and their research shows that 75 per cent of Range Rover owners will do that sort of mileage as a daily commute.

For now, we have a pair of 3.0 litre 6-cylinder diesel engine models developing 295 or 345 bhp and a couple of petrol units that are vastly contrasting. There's a 395bhp 3.0 litre 6-cylinder unit, or a thumping 4.4 litre V8 which churns out 523bhp.

Like the 4th gen, buyers have a choice of body style; short and long wheelbase. As you would expect, the long wheelbase offers slightly more room and can accommodate seven seats.

At the launch, it was the bigger of the two diesel-engined cars (345bhp) on offer to drive. Once in the driver's seat, the first thing that strikes you is how quiet the engine is. I feel that out of the two diesel options, it's the one to go for because you get a terrific blend of economy, power and refinement. Land Rover claims drivers should be able to achieve 35mpg, which, bearing in mind the size and weight of this vehicle, is not too bad. And it's no slouch either, with a 0-60mph time of just 5.8 seconds.

Every Range Rover is littered with gadgets, tech and the sort of hardware that'll help you tow a horse box, reverse a boat into a lake or take a Sunday afternoon drive up to Everest base camp. Still, its primary duty is likely to be getting you and some mates to the best restaurant in town, the theatre or deepest Kensington.

Every Range Rover has permanent four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, making this big car feel surprisingly nimble. Air suspension is standard too, and a very impressive option on the car I drove is a scanner at the front, which spots potholes and bumps in the road ahead and prepares the suspension to adjust accordingly. Clever huh?

We'll not go through the standard kit list, but for now, let's say that you get everything you could possibly need in a large luxury SUV. We'll aim to bring you more details with a more in-depth video soon.

Prices for the new range Rover start at over £99,000, but the top-of-the-range V8 tip the scales at over £200,000 and beyond.

Yes, the new Range Rover is expensive; however, it will go places where a mountain goat would think twice. And here's the excellent news, in my opinion, it's one of the best luxury cars currently available and is also an engineering colossus.

words: Graham Courtney
photographs: Land Rover UK PR
special thanks to Land Rover UK PR