Land Rover has finally released the 2027 Range Rover Electric, and the design is almost indistinguishable from the gas-powered models. The company revealed the fifth-generation SUV at the end of 2021, promising an electric version for years, but prototypes remained shrouded in secrecy. Now, the EV arrives with a familiar silhouette, though the upper grille is blocked off and there are no visible exhaust tips.
There are a few subtle changes for the electric model, including new aero-optimized wheel designs and a modified flat underbody. The interior mirrors the combustion engine’s layout, removing most physical controls in favor of the convex center screen. For the 2027 model, Land Rover has added back a physical volume knob and the Terrain Response dial. It does not appear that the automaker is offering any EV-specific colors or trims for the interior or exterior.
Performance and range figures
Land Rover claims the EV will accelerate to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, half a second quicker than the plug-in hybrid and a tenth quicker than the V8. However, the top speed is capped at 124 mph, which is lower than the 150-plus mph top speed of the gas versions. The automaker states that the pair of motors produce 20% more torque than motors from other companies. The silicon carbide semiconductors “enable remarkable switching speeds measured in microseconds, balancing efficiency with exceptional performance on all surfaces.”
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Power comes from an 118.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack made of 344 double-stacked prismatic cells with “outstanding” energy density. While the EPA has not yet tested the vehicle, Land Rover says it will have a range of up to 333 miles according to its own testing. The 800-volt pack supports fast-charging at up to 350 kW, which can take it from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes, adding 125 miles of EPA range in just 10 minutes. In the U.S., the vehicle will come with a NACS port and Tesla Supercharger access.
Capability and testing
The SUV includes a one-pedal driving mode that provides “exceptional control to smoothly pull away up to 33‑degrees with ease – a slope as steep as a black‑diamond ski run – or complete a rolling climb ascend up to 45‑degree slopes.” An Intelligent Driveline Trends system distributes torque between the rear wheels from 0% to 100%, and an Integrated Traction Management system can adjust motor speed in 50 milliseconds to manage wheel slip 100 times quicker than the gas-powered Range Rover.
Range Rover Electric has been tested in ‑40°F temperatures in Arjeplog, Sweden, the heat of the Dubai desert, and JLR’s own Eastnor Castle facility in the UK. The vehicle has completed over 900,000 miles and over a quarter of a million hours of testing in the virtual and physical worlds. New technologies maximize its electric potential, including innovative range prediction features and an advanced ThermAssist heat management system. This system optimizes driving range, charging speeds, battery longevity, and performance in extreme temperatures, adding up to 25 miles of range and a 40% reduction of heating energy use. Over 300 patent applications have been filed for the Range Rover Electric.
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Price and availability
To help maximize the safety and quality of the battery, JLR’s new battery testing laboratory subjects live batteries to extreme multi‑axis vibration and shock testing in ‑40°F to +194°F. The high strength aluminum enclosure means the vehicle is built to withstand high impact knocks and jolts, while advanced safety features exceed industry standards. For serviceability, each Range Rover Electric comes with a Battery Digital Twin which provides over 900 diagnostic data points. Coupled with JLR’s leading Software Over the Air capability, this allows the company to proactively maintain clients’ vehicles.
Unlike some automakers that restrict electric powertrains to specific versions, the EV is offered across the board. Customers can get every Range Rover trim level from base SE to mid-range Autobiography and the super-fancy SV and SV Ultra with the electric powertrain, and with either the short- or long-wheelbase body styles. A special First Edition model will feature unique Light Cloud Ultrafabrics upholstery, and customers can order a fully bespoke spec. The base Range Rover Electric SE starts at $140,450 including destination, an identical price to the V8-powered SE. It is $9,100 more expensive than the plug-in hybrid, and $24,700 more than the nonhybrid six-cylinder. Order books are currently open, though Land Rover has not yet announced exactly when the vehicle will start reaching dealers. It will be quickly followed by an electric version of the Range Rover Sport and the Range Rover GT, but an electric Defender will have to wait.
The automotive sector continues to shift toward electrification, creating a complex road environment where heat management becomes critical. This shift is particularly evident in high-performance SUVs, where the need for efficiency meets the demand for power.