This past week, Jaguar Land Rover introduced their latest iteration of the premium Range Rover, a model which established the Land Rover brand as a builder of not just the rugged but spartan go-anywhere Defender, but also premium luxury vehicles in a segment where no such option had previously been available.
The previous Range Rover, although still off-road capable, firmly established the premium/luxury SUV segment by the use of premium materials with a constrained and sophisticated design language. For 2022, new competitors have also moved upmarket, inspired by the Range Rover’s success. Although not direct competitors, both Jeep and Rivian have moved into the Range Rover’s market space.
With these newcomers aspiring towards the Range Rover’s appeal, Land Rover has further positioned their newest Range Rover further upmarket with an increased execution of material quality, precision and an understated/refined aesthetic quality for their designs.
This can be seen in how their latest display screens are incorporated into the overall interior aesthetic. Thin, frameless displays are used for both the instrument cluster and center console; they ‘float’ off the base instrument panel surface, allowing the interior trim materials to present themselves unhindered by the displays. This clarity of material quality and detailing can be best seen in to execution of the wood trim used throughout the vehicle.
Along with the latest natural-matte finish as found in many premium vehicle interiors today, the new Range Rover also incorporates a metal-framed enclosure for these pieces to highlight the intricate detailing of wood and metal inlays used in their surface finishing.
Every storage and utility portion of the interior is also covered by these panels to create a smooth, flush aesthetic that eliminates interior surface clutter. Notice in these next images how one of the UX/HMI interface knobs—the one on the right—pops up only when in use. The various surface colors and material finishes used on the floor console also enhance the Range Rover’s precision finish aesthetic.
See how the leather covered side facings, wood inlays and metal framing of the floor console create a cohesive tailored feel to their interior.
This quality execution extends to the door panels and rear folding center console’s UX/HMI interface.
Primarily available as a 7-seater, the latest Range Rover also has optional “stadium seating” that can be used on the folding tailgate for a comfy sit-down outside of the vehicle.
The theme of precision and detailing can be also seen on the quilted-stitch seat covers. As this aesthetic is becoming more widespread in premium vehicles—Jeep offers it, too—Range Rover’s multidimensional embroidery style stands out. At no point do the stitch lines cross, yet a diamond style feeling is still achieved using various stitch widths.
The use of metal framing can also be seen in the rear seat passthrough’s wood inlay panel; the armrest supports; the tunnel console inserts, and seat trim inlays around the headrest area. Precision detailing and quality materials are thus highlighted.
With these last images, you can clearly see how the latest Range Rover’s attention to material finish and quality, and its precision detailing, have moved this vehicle’s design into the upper echelon of premium and luxury vehicles.
