Can you take your Range Rover off road? If you ask an expert this question, they would quickly say ‘Yes.’ The reason is the brand’s decades of experience building utility vehicles that can tackle almost all terrains.
Every Land Rover model doesn’t only ooze luxury but is also mechanically capable of hitting off-road. The designers and engineers create Land Rovers keeping in mind the needs of its travelers. Since taking the beaten path is something on every traveler’s agenda these days, the British automaker listens to their demands.
Table of Contents
Before You Take Range Rover Off Road
Before we explain the features and systems that make the Range Rover a great off-roader, you should make sure your luxury SUV is ready for the adventure. Check the tire pressure and the vehicle’s four-wheel drive system, and keep the following things with you before you start the journey.
- Water
- Smartphone and charger
- Drinks/food
- Shovel
- Appropriate clothing
- Proper footwear
- Torch/lighter
Land Rover Range Rover Off Road Features
Please note that Land Rovers are not ultimate off-roading machines like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon or Ford Bronco Raptor. Rather, they come equipped with high-class off-road capabilities to handle snow, sand, mud, rocks, etc. Here are some of the best Range Rover off road features.
- Hill Descent Control: As the name implies, the Hill Descent Control (HDC) allows you to descend a hill or uneven path with confidence, as the system normally employs traction control tech with anti-lock brakes. HDC continuously applies braking pressure to assist control slippage and sustain a steady speed going downhill or on uneven terrain.
- Terrain Response (TR): The TR system in Range Rover unites traction and alertness together to tackle snow, sand, sand, rocks, mud, or any other terrain through different drive modes. You can initiate this Land Rover patented system with just a push of a button. It will continually observe road conditions and react correctly by changing torque, handling, and steering.
- Terrain Response 2 (TR2): The TR2 is the advanced form of TR with automatic functionality. It automatically adjusts transmission, suspension, and traction for excellent drivability according to the conditions. The new tech came out after extensive testing on almost all terrains conceivable in 20 countries worldwide, with temperatures varying from -40 to +125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC): The ATPC is another patented tech from Land Rover to enhance Range Rover off road capabilities. It is basically an off-road cruise control that gives you the ability to set your preferred speed, and the vehicle will control the pedal inputs itself. You just need to concentrate on steering as you do with the typical cruise control.
You can initiate the ATPC both in stationary and motion, as well as in forward and reverse. You can activate it by lifting your foot off the brake pedal and setting the speed through a steering wheel-mounted control. Since it works like typical cruise control, you can neutralize it by pressing the brake pedal again.
The automaker made it for Land Rover’s off-road use only, and the maximum speed you can attain with this activated is 19 mph. While you can also use it on the road, we suggest not to do it to avoid a ticket.
Besides all these technologies, you must know about Land Rover 4 x 4 system. It is an Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive tech that is different from all-wheel drive. This full-time 4WD system lets the SUV’s powertrain send power evenly to the front or rear axle according to the road conditions, thus improving handling.
Land Rover Range Rover Off Road Models
All Land Rover models are competent on the beaten path courtesy of off-road features the automaker offers. The Range Rover is no different; it allows you to venture off the pavement confidently. Below we will just describe the Range Rover off road features of different models to give you an idea of how skillful they are on the beaten path.
Land Rover Range Rover
The Range Rover is an excellent off-roader to take you to the backwoods confidently.
- It comes with a Two-Speed Transfer Case, Electronic Air Suspension, Low-Traction Launch, and Hill Descent Control.
- The second row has captain chairs for extra comfort on bumpy and slippery roads.
- It offers a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches and 34.7° / 29.6° approach and departure angles. The wading depth is the greatest water height a vehicle can face, while approach and departure angles (aka ramp angles) specify how steep obstacles like rocks a vehicle can manage.
- The Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control are standard. The former gives the vehicle ability to adjust suspension, transmission, and traction automatically, while the latter allows off-road cruising capability.
Rover Range Rover Sport
For an ultimate Range Rover off road experience, we recommend the Sport model. The height-adjustable air suspension can brave big rocks and deep ruts, courtesy of up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance.
Besides, the Range Rover Sport employs Terrain Response (TR 2 is optional), offering traction control for rock, sand, snow, and mud. Other optional off-road amenities comprise a low-speed crawl control system, a limited-slip differential, and a transfer case. In addition, the Sport:
- Can seat up to seven
- Has the greatest wading depth of 33.5 inches
- Has maximum approach and departure angles of 33.0° / 30.0°
- Comes with an all-aluminum body and a 4-inch lift.
Land Rover Range Rover Velar
The new Range Rover Velar is a well-rounded SUV with a head-turning design and surprising off-roading abilities. While it is not the best option for overland adventures, it can easily conquer beaten paths. The 9.9 inches of ground clearance at the highest air suspension setting lets it travel over ruts and rocks easily. The All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics manages to have a grip on loose paths, and you can customize the settings for mud, snow, rock, and sand. Besides, it offers:
- Wading depth of 25.5 inches
- 24° breakover angle and 30° departure angle
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
If you are looking for the smallest Land Rover for off-roading, the Range Rover Evoque will not disappoint you. It has everything you expect from a Range Rover off road vehicle, such as the standard all-wheel drive, wade sensing, low-speed cruise control, and Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system, allowing you to select from five drive modes for different roads. The TR 2 will select the best drive mode according to the conditions. Other highlights of the 2023 Evoque include:
- Available ClearSight Ground View
- Wading depth of 23.6 inches
- Ground Clearance of 8.35 inches
Land Rover’s Off-road Beast
If you are an avid traveler who often heads to a beaten path, we highly recommend the brand’s off-road beast. Yes, we are talking about the Defender with a standard four-wheel drive, hill descent control, a two-speed transfer case, and automatic wade sensing. It is not a Range Rover, but it is the best Land Rover in terms of ramp angles.
The Terrain Response system allows you to alter the drive setting for Grass, Gravel, Snow, Mud and Ruts; Sand; Rock Crawl; and Wade.
If that’s still not enough, you can add more off-road amenities like an electronic active differential, off-road tires, and All Terrain Progress Control. Furthermore, the Defender:
- Delivers up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance with optional air suspension
- Gives a wading depth of up to 35.4 inches
- Comes with a maximum approach and departure angles of 38.0° / 40.0°
Range Rover Off Road Experiences
To hone your off-roading experience, Land Rover offers Experience Drives. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned off-roader or a novice, the company lets you drive a new Range Rover off road to build confidence, polish your skills, and have fun outdoors. The price for a group of three is $275.
Besides, the automaker offers Heritage Drives, allowing you to take a Defender, Discovery, or a modern Range Rover on a beaten path. An expert guide accompanies you as you drive through difficult obstacles and terrains. The half-day experience is $1,200 per vehicle for up to 3.
On the other hand, if you are a proud owner of a Range Rover, you can enjoy off-roading for four hours by paying only $475. Called the Owner’s Day, the automaker organizes this event after every few months, where you meet with other Land Rover owners. The day starts with breakfast, and then you take your Range Rover off road (or any other Land Rover vehicle) to tackle ascents, descents, rocks, crawls, water crossings, etc. After four hours of extreme off-roading, the event ends with lunch and lifetime memories.
That’s not all! Land Rover offers many more drive experiences for teens, families, group members, and even advanced driving programs. The Drive Experiences are available for different states and may vary from state to state.
Range Rover Prices
The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover starts at a whopping US$104,500, while the ongoing Range Rover Sport SE goes for $69,500 at least, which is much more affordable. For a more luxurious experience in the Range Rover Sport, you can opt for the HSE Silver Edition by paying $9,000 more. The most expensive in the Sport range is the SVR Carbon Edition costing $130,000.
Additionally, the midsize Range Rover Velar starts at $60,300, and the price goes as high as $79,200. Last but not least, the smaller Range Rover Evoque costs around $14,000 less than the Velar.
Final Words
Land Rover is one of the only automotive brands in the world that focuses on vehicle off-roading as much as its on-road experience. Presently, every Land Rover model is highly capable on the beaten path. However, some models traverse better when you leave the asphalt.
The legendary Range Rover is the epitome of luxury and ruggedness you need when you venture into the wilderness. Take your Range Rover off-road anytime, and we bet you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you pick the suitable model for your desired route keeping in mind the wading depth, approach and departure angles, ground clearance, and the off-road package.
FAQs of Range Rover off-road
Is Range Rover good for off-road?
Every Range Rover model is not only luxurious but also mechanically capable of going off-road. Range Rovers are designed and engineered with the needs of their passengers in mind.
