Hi all,
I'm trying to decide between the new 2025 Range Rover (SWB) with either BMW's V8 MHEV (P530) or JLR's PHEV (P550e).
I understand that, due to the increased weight of the battery pack, the suspension setup of the PHEV is not as comfortable as that of the V8. Is this true / noticeable?
Any other suggestions in choosing one over the other? Anyone have practical experience with both models?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
Cheers

I did the LR experience at Eastnor last week and after driving my p530 AB there and getting straight into a p460e SE. they were noticeably different. The p460e was a model year on from mine so suspension calibrations may have changed over time, but immediately I noticed that the poor ride quality in the p460. It should have been better than mine because it was on 21s and mine is on 23s. They both had dynamic response pro. Mine has the trade mark RR waft and glides over all but the worst surfaces, but the p460 was more like driving a BMW X series. The instructor put this down to the extra weight. The 460e was also quite slow in comparison. It left me thinking that I will avoid the hybrids as long as I can. Also, in SE trim, the seats are harder with very little adjustment in comparison. Mine may have been £30k or so more but it felt worth every penny overall.

I have had two P460e and I now have a P550e. I haven't driven the V8, however in my opinion I think the RR is perfectly suited for electric. I use mine in EV a lot of the time and it floats around in silence. I have the larger wheels but the ride is really good in comfort. I think, like the Rolls Royce Spectre, the full electric version of the RR will be a success. Yes, if I am throwing it around a country lane I can feel the weight but that's not what I use it for.

Thank you for the insight! It's exactly the detailed response I was looking for. I much appreciate it!
How smooth is the P530's acceleration from standstill? I know some BMW's with the same V8 engine can sometimes jerk the car, if you're not very careful when setting off.

d3rm0 wrote:

I have had two P460e and I now have a P550e. I haven't driven the V8, however in my opinion I think the RR is perfectly suited for electric. I use mine in EV a lot of the time and it floats around in silence. I have the larger wheels but the ride is really good in comfort. I think, like the Rolls Royce Spectre, the full electric version of the RR will be a success. Yes, if I am throwing it around a country lane I can feel the weight but that's not what I use it for.

I also have the P550e and it's hugely impressive. I use full electric most of the time, but when the engine is needed for longer journeys, it's powerful and responsive.

If I'm honest, I don't ever really feel that I've got 550 bhp to play with, but then again, it's not that sort of car. I had a V8 diesel L405 about 10 years ago, and I probably prefer a torquey diesel with these heavy cars. But the combination of petrol and battery is so well implemented, I would strongly recommend it.

One question worth thinking about is whether to go P460e or P550e. As I say, I have the latter, but I suspect the smaller engine would be more than adequate. 2024 Range Rover P550e AB

The P550e AB I have now was ordered two and a half years ago, I had the the two P460e's, that were cancelled orders and both SE's, as I was frustrated waiting for the 550 and at that time I could drive them and sell them back to the dealer and not lose any money on them. I didn't have any issues with either of the P460's. My P550e front camera got water in it and needed replacing and the drivers door creaked so LR replaced a seal that has stopped it. If you want 100% reliability buy a Toyota Landcruiser. Be careful as once you've been bitten by the Range Rover bug there is no going back!

PeterL1983 wrote:

Thank you for the insight! It's exactly the detailed response I was looking for. I much appreciate it!
How smooth is the P530's acceleration from standstill? I know some BMW's with the same V8 engine can sometimes jerk the car, if you're not very careful when setting off.

It's worth the starting poster noting that there are big tax advantages to buying hybrids in the UK.

Would be interested to hear of the difference between 460e and 550e as price difference is relatively small?