By Sala Masindane

Range Rover can be seen in many ways to have pioneered the SUV’s or 4X4 lifestyle. For decades these cars could literally go anywhere. It could be a desert or crossing uncharted terrains, the Range Rover would be up for the challenge. Fast forward to today, and they are still continuing to do the same but have moved from rugged SUVs into more of an everyday luxury vehicle. This is the case for the Vogue SE, the second entry point in terms of the flagship line-up. We spent some time in the updated R2million to experience the latest in 4×4 infused luxury from Range Rover.

Exterior

Anyone who has come across the Range Rover Vogue would not describe it as basic. This is because the Vogue maintains the sophisticated traditionally high waistline and tapered rear end while the front grille is like that of its sibling, the Velar. Its attractiveness is continued by the Matrix LED headlights with its signature daytime running lights. This makes the larger than life SUV hard to miss on the road. The rear has modern taillights and this gives the Vogue that added stare if you are driving behind it.

Interior

Jump inside the Vogue SE and you will be met by a combination of fine leather and wood. Not quaint but a modern interpretation thereof. The front seats are quite large and hug you quite well. The driver has the benefit of the updated steering wheel with touch pads that control media and cruise control to mention just a few. These light up when you start up the car. Once the ignition is on, the upper screen tilts up and the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system that features two 10-inch high-definition touchscreens integrated seamlessly behind “hidden-until-lit” surfaces comes to life. The system also has Android and Apple Car play capabilities. The elimination of a lot of buttons in the dash gives the Vogue an overall sense of modernity which matches the car’s fresh exterior design. Storage is decent as we have come accustomed to in Range Rovers, with large doors bins, cup holders across the vehicle and two glove boxes. Our test car unit had the Fridge option ticked even though this meant that only two mid-sized bottles could fit in it. The back seats scream family SUV or more so a vehicle to be chauffeured in. Three adults will fit comfortably and both the leg and headroom are enormous. Curiously, our test unit was not even the long wheelbase model. The air-suspension can be used to lower the body for easy access into the SUV. Being a five-seater, there’s loads of boot space, 900 litres to be exact. Once the back seats are folded you will get up to 1943 litres of space. In typical Range Rover style, there’s a split tailgate where an electrical drop-down tailgate will double-up as a seat when required. Also included in the long list of standard features is cruise-control, a rear-parking camera, a powerful 19-speaker Meridian sound system, three-zone Climate Control and a panoramic sunroof.

The drive

The impeccable SUV is carried along by a 4.4-litre V8 turbodiesel engine with power outputs of 250kW and 740Nm of torque. The engine is lovely, and you are reminded that there are eight cylinders when power is required with a good bassy sound from the engine. When you put your foot on the accelerator it will duly oblige without slouching along which is good when considering the size of the Vogue. The engine is matched with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission that impresses with seamless gear changes. Unfortunately the handling is not one of Range Rover’s triumph card especially when turning into corners.

The Vogue has considerable body roll, even with the stiff suspension option and it doesn’t quite create the same excitement as that of the Range Rover Sport. Truth be told, nobody would buy the Vogue for those reasons and this might be a nit-pick from exposure to some of its competitors. In the same breath, once the All-Terrain is switched on, a world of possibilities is open in terms of off-roading driving capabilities and we hope owners will get to experience this.