Range Rover 2022 leaked: Australia in line for BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS rival after images of new-generation SUV uncovered

The all-new 2022 Range Rover has leaked online a week ahead of its official unveiling.

The images allegedly from a French 4x4 magazine surfaced on a forum the same day that Land Rover revealed a teaser image of the fifth-generation upper-large SUV.

Evolution is the name of the game when it comes to the luxury icon’s exterior design, particularly from the front. The headlights and grille are a clear progression of the current model, but the rest of the front end, including the bumper, adopts a more minimalist look.

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Overall, the design is cleaner, with fewer styling flourishes and smoother surfacing than the outgoing model. Note the flush door handles found on other Land Rover products like the Range Rover Velar.  

It maintains the Range Rover’s signature blacked-out wraparound glasshouse remains, but the slightly tapered roof is new.

The biggest change to the design is the rear, with a completely new vertical tail-lights connected to full-width units that also house the Range Rover badge. Unlike the current model, the tail-lights are not visible from the side profile.

The design is cleaner than before. (image credit: 4X4 Magazine)

The plush interior is all new, with a fresh four-spoke steering wheel design, and a large multimedia touchscreen, but it has kept a number of dials on the dash.

New seats feature throughout and the new Rangie will be offered with a third seating row option.

Big changes are coming under the skin. It will be the first Range Rover model to be underpinned by Jaguar Land Rover’s flexible MLA platform that allows for internal combustion, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

The plush interior is all new. (image credit: 4x4 Magazine)

The EV version is not expected to hit European roads until about 2024, but from launch expect a number of four and six-cylinder diesel variants in different states of tune, some with mild hybrid power.

Some reports suggest that former Land Rover owner BMW’s 4.4-litre turbocharged petrol V8 could replace the 5.0-litre supercharged unit found in a number of JLR products.

The fourth-generation Range Rover went on sale in Australia in early 2013, with an update in 2018.

Sales are up by two per cent so far this year, but its 147 units trail other prestige upper-large SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLS (751), BMW X7 (560), Audi Q8 (273) and the Lexus LX (287).

Current Ranger Rover pricing ranges from just over $200,000 before on-road costs to a tick over $400,000 for the long-wheelbase SV Autobiography.

Keep an eye on CarsGuide next week for more 2022 Range Rover details, including local timing.