2025 Range Rover SE LWB: Prestige That Falls Short on Texas Roads

The brand delivers status, but not the day-to-day practicality affluent buyers expect for the price

The 2025 Range Rover still turns heads the moment it rolls up in places like Highland Park or Rockwall. That classic silhouette and quiet presence remain unmistakable. But after a week living with the SE LWB 7-Seat version on real Texas roads, the question that keeps coming up is whether the prestige justifies the price when you need a vehicle that actually works for a family.

Design and Exterior

The updated front end is softer and more rounded than previous generations, giving the truck a slightly more elegant stance. Our test vehicle arrived in Hakuba Silver with the glossy black roof treatment that adds a clean, modern contrast without feeling flashy. Flush door handles, black side accents, and 22-inch diamond-turned wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber complete the look. The rear end feels freshest of all, with twin shark-fin antennas providing a subtle modern touch.

Interior and Technology

Step inside and the cabin delivers the expected high-end feel with light leather, subtle stitching, and a clean layout. The central touchscreen is sharp and responsive, the digital driver display is clear, and the Meridian audio system sounds rich at normal volumes. Second-row space is genuinely adult-friendly for longer highway runs, and the full panoramic sunroof brings in plenty of Texas light.

That said, some controls remain buried in the screen, and the absence of a head-up display at this price point feels like an oversight. The perforated seats are comfortable with useful fold-down armrests, but the overall tech integration still requires more taps than you’d like for simple climate or window adjustments.

Driving Impression

On the highway the SE LWB feels composed and quiet—exactly what you want for long Texas runs. The adaptive air suspension glides over cracked pavement and expansion joints, while all-wheel steering makes the long-wheelbase truck surprisingly maneuverable in parking lots and tight neighborhoods. The P400 mild-hybrid inline-six stays smooth and torquey without ever feeling strained.

Real-world efficiency came in at 16.9 mpg on a short mixed loop and 18.7 mpg over 1,120 miles of highway driving with the AC working hard in the Texas heat. Lane-keeping assist and radar cruise performed without drama, and the 360 cameras simplified tight maneuvers. The ride is comfortable enough for daily use, but a slight extra bounce over expansion joints keeps it from feeling truly exceptional at this price level.

Utility and Practicality

Pop the power liftgate and the story changes quickly. Behind the third row in the 7-seat LWB layout there’s barely enough room for a couple of camera bags and a duffel. Fold the rear seats and you get a long, flat load floor, but overall cargo volume still feels modest for the vehicle’s size and cost. For airport runs or soccer gear it works, yet it quickly becomes clear this is more about presence than maximum family hauling capability.

Price and Value

Our SE LWB 7-Seat P400 tested at $128,695 after options including the 22-inch wheels, towing pack, comfort pack, and Shadow exterior treatment. That number isn’t surprising for a Range Rover, but it lands differently when you stack it against vehicles that handle the same Texas highway and family duties for far less. The badge premium is real, and once you start comparing day-to-day utility the gap narrows fast.

Final Thoughts

If you want a vehicle that signals status the moment it arrives, the 2025 Range Rover still delivers. After living with the SE LWB here in Texas, however, the daily reality doesn’t fully match the price tag. It’s comfortable for long runs and capable enough for light trails, but the ride has more bounce than expected, cargo space behind the third row is tight, and the overall utility doesn’t pull ahead of what rivals offer for significantly less money. For affluent buyers who need the vehicle to work as hard as it looks, the hype falls short.