You may have heard of the proverb, "do not try to do everything. Do one thing well." Well, that can apply to this 2026 Range Rover SV, or any other Range Rover for that matter.
Well, that’s not fair. There are many things this $260,000-plus luxury SUV does well, but there is one intangible thing it does better than the rest. I will get to it.
First impressions
The fifth-generation Range Rover has been on sale since 2022 and it continues to turn heads wherever it goes. Despite the simple lines and flat surfaces, Range Rovers just have a special way of showing up, garnering respect rather than demanding attention. The SV model sits at the very top of the lineup, wearing an exclusive front grille and bumper design, dedicated SV badging, 23-inch wheels, and satin Icy White paint — a bespoke colour reserved for the SV.
Powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the Range Rover SV produces a very potent 607 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque that arrives as early as 1,800 RPM. Unlike most German powerhouses that give you an adrenaline rush when you floor it — and yes, the SV has been using BMW's V8 for a few model years now — the Range Rover accelerates with a real sense of poise but you hardly know about it. It can run from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, but the real standout is just how smooth and linear is. Most other Range Rovers are smooth operators, but the SV takes it to another level.
Living with the Range Rover SV
Seeing that this Range Rover SV is such a capable people carrier — more on that later — I was genuinely surprised learn that it handled so well for its size. The steering carries decent feedback and relatively agile responses, while the suspension is quick to adapt to various road conditions. It hardly ever feels out of control even as speed picks up.
Of course, as with every other Range Rover that existed before this, the SV must be able to handle itself off-road. Provided you are confident enough to take a quarter-million-dollar SUV off-roading, its various terrain settings automatically prepare you for what lies ahead, and the 360-degree camera that stitches the birds-eye view seamlessly together for complete control of its surroundings. In the dedicated off-road ride height setting, the Range Rover SV offers a 32.1-degree approach and a 29-degree departure angles for more challenging slopes. Our only concern is scratching the $15,700 paint job; we don’t expect many will actually take this off-road, but then again, the birds-eye camera sure is helpful for parking garages.
Over a week of mixed commuting, we observed a fuel economy of 14.4 L/100 kilometres. While that number may look high, let’s not forget this is a full-size luxury SUV with 600-plus horsepower that can carry five adults and tow more than 7,700 pounds. As such, that figure is rather respectable, and as expected, premium is required for the SV's 90-litre tank.
La pièce de résistance
Enough about performance. The Range Rover SV truly shines inside. It is a simple cabin, but the layout is pleasing to the eyes and materials are absolutely exquisite. There is a real sense of serenity and comfort the second you step foot into any Range Rover; this SV tester takes it up a notch with the optional Serenity Sequoia Green leather seating surface and gloss white ceramic pieces. It toes a fine line between too minimalistic and overly showy, but the SV perfects that balance.
It is obvious the Range Rover SV is an excellent place to spend time. There is ample space throughout, the cabin is whisper quiet, the seats are unbelievably comfortable with all four outbound seats offering massage, and the boss’ seat — the one behind the front passenger — can be reclined fully at a press of a button on the rear control tablet for a ultimate relaxation. My only critique is that some frequently used features, such as seat massage and media control, take a few too many taps on the touchscreen to activate, which dampened our experience ever so slightly. A hot-stone, full-body-activation massage after a full day at the office makes you quickly forget about those critiques.
Final thoughts
This 2026 Range Rover SV rings in at $261,700 as-tested after customization. That seats the SV above most German rivals and all Japanese luxury SUVs; whether it's worth it is highly subjective, but buying a Range Rover is a highly subjective move to begin with. Nevertheless, it accomplishes many things — it accelerates better than most, it can conquer tough terrain, it can wade through rivers, but the SV's intangible sense of serenity and unparalleled luxury is one thing its competitors cannot touch. It makes you feel successful and sophisticated without being loud and obnoxious, and that is priceless.
