PHEV Review: 2020 Land Rover Range Rover P400e

Photo Credits: Land Rover Media, Inside EVs

Uncompromised refinement, legendary capabilities.

Overview

Performance: 114-horsepower electric motor, turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, combined 398 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 42 mpge

Price estimate: From $79,000

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Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Roadside Assistance: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Corrosion Warranty: 6 years / unlimited

PHEV Battery Warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles

2020 Land Rover Range Rover P400e Plug-in Hybrid Review

Intro

We’re all aware that going green is getting more and more popular. But this was a bit unexpected – a Range Rover that’s an eco-friendly vehicle.

Land Rover gave its full-sized luxury sport utility vehicle even more diversity this year by adding a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – called the P400e – to the lineup. The 2020 Range Rover PHEV has a conventional combustion engine and a powerful electric motor that work in unison. The only competition is the Volvo XC90.

Historically, this sport utility vehicle was popular because it was quite the capable workhorse when it came to off-road adventures. The first generation Range Rovers were introduced in 1970 and the brand lasted for 16 years. Gradually, the Range Rover became far more sophisticated than the original trailblazers. The modern full-size SUV became a luxury type vehicle that became the popular ride of the Hollywood crowd.

And one can easily see why. The modern-day Range Rovers are indeed luxurious, possess lots of technology, provide good comfort and excellent performance, yet retain their initial appeal as a rough and tumble SUV that can travel anywhere.

Before one gets too enamored with the Range Rover PHEV, note that the range is a mere 19 miles and the sticker price starts at $79,000. The Range Rover has a P400e badge on the back and cleverly hides the charge port in the grille. It’s available as a mid-level HSE or the top-of-the-line Autobiography trim model.

Interior Space

The front seats in the Range Rover deliver considerable comfort with ample head and leg room. The second row is a 60/40 split that offers solid room for all three passengers. There is no third row, the cargo area is only 24.8 cubic feet (56.8 cubes with second row folded) due to battery placement.

There’s plenty to admire regarding the P400e interior. Among the standard features are leather seats, wood-veneer trim, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and heated leather steering wheel. In the safety department, forward collision warning, automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning are all standard.

As far as interior makeup, we’re not huge fans of having two screens on the dashboard. The upper 10.0-inch screen can be a bit slow in reacting to touch inputs, while the second screen resides lower on the dashboard and is used for climate controls, driving modes, and various other vehicle settings.

Performance

The P400e features an electrified powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter, inline-4 and a 114-horsepower electric motor that combine for 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. There’s a 13.1-kWh battery pack located under the rear cargo floor. The battery can be fully charged by a 120-volt outlet in 14 hours, but only takes approximately two hours, 45 minutes at a 240-volt outlet charging station.

What doesn’t change in the PHEV version is the vehicle’s off-road chops. It’s equipped with the next generation system of off-road control. The system provides heightened capability across every terrain and automatically adjusts to driving different road surfaces and conditions. It has a four-wheel drive system and a two-speed transfer case for high and low ranges. Ground clearance is a maximum 35.4 inches.

While some auto experts find the Range Rover’s ride quality suspect – “ponderous handling and steering” – that wasn’t the case here. For such a large vehicle, the Range Rover provides a solid grip on challenging roads and cruises along effortlessly in freeway situations. We found it fairly agile for a large SUV and one that excels in off-road conditions.

Vehicle Power and Speed

When equipped with the standard powertrain, the Range Rover PHEV goes 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, However, performance is startling when choosing the Autobiography model that goes a Tesla-like 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and is even faster when adding the $20,000 Ludicrous Mode option. Fuel economy for the standard P400e is 42 mpge.

Conclusion

The elephant in the room is price – the Range Rover is not cheap. But buying a 2020 Range Rover PHEV means one possesses an enticing, eco-friendly luxury SUV that can deliver bigtime in off-road situations.

–  J.W.