Range Rover 2027 review: Electric - International first drive | BMW iX5 rival tested

An electric version of the fifth-generation Range Rover (L460) wasn't meant to be this late.

The delay that sees it land four years after the current car first went on sale, was triggered first by having to reconfigure the Range Rover's MLA Flex platform's outdated 400-volt electrics to more powerful 800-volt hardware and then by the huge decision to go ahead and design, develop and engineer the battery and drive units in-house.

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In the end, the pioneering tech developed needed no less than 300 patents, not that the new Range Rover Electric advertises its state-of-the-art tech.

Just a tweaked front grille, revised underbody and set of fresh 22-inch wheels give the game away. All have been aerodynamically optimised to benefit range.

Under the radar design tweaks

The reason for the under-the-radar approach is that even deep into its middle age, the current Range Rover's design remains a major attraction for buyers.

The same well-heeled bunch are pretty partial to the way the big SUV looks and feels within, and that's why the Electric version's cabin is also unchanged, which is a very good thing when it comes to the fit, finish and the intuitive tech available, plus the Range Rover's trademark towering driving position and incredible comfort.

The decent 575-litre boot also remains undisturbed and is still accessed via the excellent split tailgate, although there's no space for a spare wheel and no frunk up front for cables.

The Range Rover Electric can't match the all-new BMW iX5's 845km range, but data from 350 million journeys collected from owners suggests the 600km NEDC range provided by its 118.5kWh battery is more than enough, especially since that figure translates into up to 535km in the real world.

Plug it in and, thanks to its 800-volt electrics, a 10 to 80 per cent top-up takes around 22 minutes, which isn't bad, but its 350kW peak charging is some way off the 460kW rate a BMW iX5 is capable of.

While a 10 minute burst of charge adds up to 220km of range, its German rival will have squeezed in as much as 350km into the battery, but in Australia, finding a charger powerful enough to realise those numbers won't be easy.

Dual electric motors

For now, just one powertrain will be offered that combines two 260kW e-motors that drive each axle to produce 405kW and 850Nm.

That translates to a brisk 0-100km/h dash of 4.5 seconds and an 80-120km/h sprint of 2.7 seconds, which is said to demonstrate that this EV is as quick to overtake at higher speeds as the V8 version.

What's remarkable is that performance is achieved with a kerb weight in excess of 2800kg, with the battery accounting for 700kg of that mass.

Behind the wheel on our brief drive, the Range Rover Electric is effortless, off the mark and gathering pace, it doesn't feel heavy.

Helping disguise the weight is an 88mm lower centre of gravity, but the large SUV hasn't quite morphed into anything remotely sporty.

Like other models, rear-wheel steering and twin-chamber air suspension are present, but the star of the show is the new Integrated Traction Management tech that can monitor and adjust torque in 50 milliseconds – 100 times faster than the combustion version.

One-pedal off-road mode

Capable of climbing 45-degree slopes, there's now even a one-pedal off-road mode for when you're in the mud, snow, sand or rocky terrain for a safer, more precise way of tackling unfamiliar territory.

The system is so quick and smooth to work that it's difficult to detect any slip, even with clumsy stabs of the throttle.

Come to a river crossing and the Range Rover can still wade through water up to 900mm, although there is one drawback of going electric – towing is wound back to just 2500kg – 1000kg less than the V8 and 500kg behind the plug-in hybrid.

In Australia, the Range Rover will be available with HSE, Autobiography and SV trim, with the entry model likely to feature:

• 22-inch alloy wheels
• Meridian 3D surround sound
• Soft semi-aniline leather
• 20-way adjustable front seats
• Heated and ventilated front and rear seats
• Large head-up display

The Autobiography will add:

• Upgraded headlights
• Sliding panoramic roof
• More powerful sound system
• Body and Soul 24-way adjustable massage chairs
• Quad-zone climate control

The Range Rover Electric has yet to be crash-tested but the combustion versions were rated the maximum five stars for protection by Euro NCAP and ANCAP back in 2022.

The large luxury SUV comes with Land Rover's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and eight-year/160,000km protection for the high-voltage battery.

Expect the Range Rover to come with the option of pre-purchased, fixed-price servicing for up to five years.

The Range Rover Electric has been priced from $317,718 for the HSE, $357,718 for the Autobiography and $417,418 for the flagship SV, with all pricing excluding on-road costs.

The new battery-powered SUV is offered with the standard and extended-long wheelbase, but a seven-seat version will be off the menu.