Range Rover Review: Is It Worth the Price in Australia?

The Range Rover is worth the price in Australia — if you pick the right variant and go in clear-eyed about what you’re actually getting. The fifth-generation model (internally called L460) starts at around $229,900 before on-road costs for the D300 SE diesel, and scales to well over $380,000 for a fully optioned SV. For that money, you get a large luxury SUV that is genuinely capable off the bitumen, genuinely quiet on the freeway, and genuinely resistant to being embarrassed in a hotel forecourt. Nothing else in the segment does all three as convincingly.

What You’re Actually Paying For

The L460 Range Rover that’s been on sale since 2022 rides on an aluminium-intensive platform that sheds roughly 100kg compared to the previous generation. That matters in a car this size. The entry-level D300 uses a 3.0-litre inline-six diesel producing 221kW and 700Nm — enough to haul 2,500kg on a tow ball and still feel relaxed at 110km/h on the Hume Highway.

Step up to the P530 and you get Land Rover’s joint-developed 4.4-litre BMW V8, producing 390kW and 750Nm. That version hits 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, which for a 2,500kg vehicle is frankly unreasonable in the best possible way. Pricing for the P530 SE starts at around $262,900 before on-roads.

The PHEV — badged P440e — combines a 3.0-litre petrol six with an electric motor for a combined 324kW, and will do around 100km on electric-only charge under real-world Australian conditions (the official WLTP figure is more optimistic). It’s the smart buy for Sydney or Melbourne residents who do mostly short urban runs.

How It Drives on Australian Roads

On sealed roads, the Range Rover is in a class of its own for ride quality. The standard air suspension with Adaptive Dynamics continuously adjusts damping, and the result is an isolation from road imperfections that makes the Porsche Cayenne feel firm and the BMW X7 feel merely comfortable by comparison. At highway speeds on the Princes Freeway or up the Pacific Highway, the cabin is library-quiet — Land Rover quotes interior noise at around 60dB at 100km/h.

Off the bitumen, the Terrain Response 2 system earns its keep. The Range Rover will ford water crossings up to 900mm in wading depth, and the All-Terrain Progress Control (essentially a low-speed cruise control for technical terrain) makes it approachable even for drivers without serious 4WD experience. For Queensland or Western Australian buyers doing seasonal dirt road runs to remote stations, this isn’t a marketing point — it’s a practical tool.

The one honest criticism: the transition to electric power steering has made the wheel lighter and less communicative than earlier generations. It’s not unpleasant, but enthusiast drivers will notice it.

The Interior: Where the Money Shows

The cabin is the strongest argument for the Range Rover’s price premium. The floating centre console creates a genuinely airy feel for front passengers, and the 13.1-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen is one of the better large infotainment systems available — fast, logically laid out, and responsive without requiring a stylus or excessive sub-menus.

Rear-seat space in standard wheelbase is generous; the Long Wheelbase (LWB) variant, which starts at around $255,900, adds genuine limousine-level legroom and is increasingly popular with Sydney business buyers who spend their days in the back seat. The SV models add Nappa leather seating surfaces, massaging rear seats, and an optional four-seat configuration with a centre console running the full length of the cabin.

Range Rover vs the Competition in Australia

At the $230,000–$280,000 price point, the main alternatives are the Lexus LX 700h (starting around $235,000), the BMW X7 xDrive50e (around $205,000), and the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 (around $225,000). The Bentley Bentayga starts above $380,000 and competes more directly with the Range Rover SV.

The BMW X7 is sharper to drive and arguably has a better third row. The Lexus LX is more reliably durable based on long-term owner data. The GLS offers more third-row space. But none of them carry the same off-road credibility or the same visual authority as the Range Rover, and in Australia — where roads occasionally end and property driveways occasionally become rivers — that matters to buyers in a way it simply doesn’t in European markets.

For most Australian buyers, the D300 or P400 SE represents the sweet spot. It delivers the full luxury experience without the fuel bill of the V8 or the complexity of the PHEV system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Range Rover cost in Australia in 2026?

The Range Rover D300 SE starts at approximately $229,900 before on-road costs in Australia. Prices rise to around $262,900 for the P530 V8, and well over $380,000 for SV-specification models. On-road costs (registration, stamp duty, CTP) typically add $15,000–$25,000 depending on your state.

Is the Range Rover reliable enough to buy in Australia?

The fifth-generation L460 Range Rover has a notably better reliability record than the previous aluminium-bodied L405 generation. However, it remains a complex vehicle with sophisticated air suspension, a full suite of driver assistance systems, and proprietary Land Rover electronics — extended warranty coverage (Land Rover offers up to five years) and a service plan are strongly recommended.

Which Range Rover variant is best for Australian conditions?

The D300 diesel SE or SE First Edition is the best all-round choice for most Australians. The diesel offers strong towing capacity (2,500kg), excellent real-world fuel economy (around 8.5–9.5L/100km on the highway), and doesn’t sacrifice any of the ride or interior quality. The P440e PHEV suits city-based buyers; the V8 is for those who simply want the quickest version.