Range Rover drivers have been cautioned that there’s virtually no avoiding the high pay-per-mile costs associated with these luxury SUVs. Despite being iconic and spacious, Range Rovers come with expensive running costs that put a strain on owners’ wallets.
According to Parkers, the servicing costs, while potentially lower than those of the Bentley Bentayga, remain considerably high. Fuel expenses add another layer of financial commitment. Petrol models, especially those with the potent V8 P530 engine, struggle to surpass 20 miles per gallon (mpg). Meanwhile, older six-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol variants offer around 25 mpg.
Diesel versions, on the other hand, prove more economical at the pump, commonly achieving around 35 mpg in real-world driving. On extended motorway journeys, these diesels can exceed 40 mpg, an impressive feat given the SUV’s substantial size and performance capabilities.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from Range Rover feature large 38kWh lithium-ion batteries, delivering an impressive official electric range of about 70 miles. Real-world electric driving typically falls between 40 and 50 miles, offering owners meaningful electric-only journeys. Once the battery is depleted, fuel economy remains respectable: a flat-battery motorway trip yielded nearly 31 mpg in testing.
Parkers evaluated fuel cost efficiency, finding petrol engines cost approximately 3.8 to 4.7 miles per penny (mpp) spent, while diesel engines offer better value, running between 5.2 and 5.9 mpp. When it comes to miles per gallon, petrol variants ranged from 23.5 to 29 mpg, with diesel models outperforming them at 34 to 38.2 mpg.
Despite diesel’s real-world fuel economy advantages, all Range Rover models carry high servicing charges that cannot be ignored. Nonetheless, their performance ratings remain strong, with Parkers awarding a solid 4 out of 5 for performance and 3.5 out of 5 for running costs.
For potential owners, it’s clear that Range Rovers deliver luxury and capability, but drivers should be prepared to face significant pay-per-mile expenses, no matter the engine type.