Range Rover’s new EV looks just like a regular Range Rover — that’s refreshing

I think automakers are finally getting the memo. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel with its new electric vehicle, Range Rover just made one that looks nearly identical to its lineup of gas-powered SUVs. They didn’t try to pass off some sleek, spaceship-looking pod as a Range Rover. Sometimes familiar designs are the way to go.

Of course, under the surface the Range Rover Electric is nothing like its internal combustion engine sporting brethren. Twin permanent magnet 260kW electric motors are powered by a double-stacked 118.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, with an estimated range of 330 real-world miles.

The all-wheel drive system puts out 542 horsepower and 627 lb.-ft. of torque, which Range Rover describes as “V8 levels of power.” An 800-volt architecture enables DC fast charging from 10–80 percent in just 22 minutes, or about 137 miles in 10 minutes, when plugged into a 350 kW charger. A zero to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds won’t win it any awards, especially compared to EV rivals like Lucid and Rivian. But this Range Rover probably doesn’t need to blow up any records to make its mark. With a familiar design and decent enough specs, it should be more than sufficient for anyone who has been pining for a touch of British sophistication in their EV shopping.

The wait has certainly stretched on longer than it should have. Range Rover first announced it was working on an electric model over five years ago. It first opened preorders in 2023, promising that customer deliveries would begin a year later. The Jaguar Land Rover–owned brand took its sweet time fulfilling these promises, but now that the cover has been lifted, the automaker is taking orders at a starting price of £154,070 in the UK (or about $140,450 in the US).

JLR says it will produce the Range Rover Electric at its Solihull factory, alongside gas and hybrid models. It’s also touting the number of patents submitted for this EV — 300 — making it the most technologically custom-built Range Rover ever.

How technologically advanced? Try lightning-fast grip control. Instead of waiting for mechanical gears to adjust when tires slip, the electric motors adjust power in 50 milliseconds — 100 times faster than a gas car. This gives instant control on ice, mud, or loose gravel. The one-pedal drive system is tuned for super steep slopes of up to 45 degrees, so you can climb mountains or crawl over obstacles using just the accelerator. And the battery and motors are fully sealed, allowing you to drive through nearly 3 feet of water (900mm) without damaging the vehicle. Lastly, a built-in heat pump reuses waste heat to warm the cabin and keep the battery at the right temperature, preserving up to 25 extra miles of driving range in freezing weather.

All of this sounds great on paper. Stacked up against rivals like the Porsche Macan EV or the Lotus Eletre, the SUV may look even better — especially for those car buyers who still prefer a familiar face on their electric vehicle.