Luxurious, powerful, and refined — these are the first three words that came to mind when I saw the Range Rover Autobiography in my driveway, courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa’s (JLRSA) media fleet coordinators.
Setting the Benchmark
For five decades, the flagship of the Land Rover family has led by example, epitomising luxury, modernity, refinement, and capability. It still stands as the royal monarch of luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs), embodying the pinnacle of elegance, power, and sophistication. While competitors have entered the segment, the Range Rover still has a regal allure. Renowned among royalty, business magnates, and government leaders, the Range Rover Autobiography is an absolute masterclass in luxury, performance, and sophistication. Recently, at Wimbledon, this epitome of automotive excellence was the vehicle of choice, reflecting its status as the pinnacle of refined elegance. The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug‑in electric hybrid models transported players, their teams, and officials to and from official venues throughout the championship.
The Range Rover Autobiography Experience
The test model I experienced was an all-wheel-drive Range Rover Autobiography LongWheel-Base (LWB) with seven seats, featuring a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbocharged P530 petrol mild hybrid engine. Generating 390 kilowatts of power and 750 Newton metres of torque, this powerhouse accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Though fuel consumption might not be a primary concern for luxury car buyers, I found this engine to be quite the petrol guzzler, particularly on long drives. For those more conscious about fuel consumption, the D350 diesel model or the forthcoming electrified version would be advisable. The test car was adorned in Fuji White metallic paint with a black contrast roof, complemented by 22-inch diamond-turned rims with gloss black contrast. Inside, it featured Caraway perforated semi-aniline leather seats and interior, V-Bespoke duo-tone ebony/caraway leather headlining, SV bespoke natural brown walnut veneer with inlays, and “Autobiography” signage on the door sills. The Autobiography model, positioned between the SV and HSE models, is the only Range Rover offered with the LWB seven-seater configuration.
Comfort, technology and design
The Autobiography elevates Land Rover’s award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment technology with its largest-ever touchscreen — a 13.1-inch curved, floating screen that embodies the architectural lightness of the interior with a minimalist frame design, subtle compared to screens offered in current generations of the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. Rear passengers can enjoy a Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system with adjustable 11.4-inch HD touchscreens mounted on the front seat-backs. These screens operate independently, supporting the connection of most devices with an HDMI port and providing smart TV entertainment on the move through Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The eight-inch Rear Seat Touchscreen Controller in the centre armrest of executive class rear seats allows for quick and intuitive control of the perfect seating position, elevating the luxurious rear-seat experience. Advanced speaker technology, coupled with the MLA-Flex body architecture, ensures serene cabin calmness. The 1,600W Meridian Signature Sound System creates one of the quietest vehicle interiors on the road, with the additional 20W speakers in the four main headrests for the most immersive sound experience.
The Range Rover Autobiography’s rear view is strikingly modern, reflecting JLR’s modernist philosophy with a single, crisp feature line that catches the light and defines the vehicle’s corners. Vertical taillights encased in a single gloss black panel are hidden until lit, with a horizontal section integrating other functional lights, defining the vehicle’s width. “Precision here was critical to the success of the design,” said Massimo Frascella, JLR Design Director. The Range Rover Autobiography achieves a smooth, relaxing drive by adjusting its height through the Electronic Air Suspension. It also lowers the vehicle for easier access to the loadspace, and automatic access height allows for an elegant arrival. With eight terrain modes to choose from, the Range Rover Autobiography adapts the vehicle’s engine, gearbox, differentials, and chassis systems using Terrain Response 2. Configurable Terrain Response technology allows you to personalize your off-road system preferences.
Everyone travels first class in the Range Rover Autobiography, with beautifully tailored seats offering superb comfort and stability for all occupants, even those in the third row. Stadium seating ensures excellent visibility and comfort for full-sized third-row seats. I really could not fault this icon of luxury SUVs, except for the distraction of the visible heater lines on the windscreen. Pricing for the Range Rover Autobiography starts at R4 347 300, with the tested model’s options bringing the total to R4 484 444. Comparable luxury SUV options include the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC starting at R4 045 027 the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 priced from R4 344 691, the BMW X7 M60i from R2 450 000 and the Lexus LX 600 VIP starting at R2 997 400.
