Luxury. Premium. Opulent. These are expletives bandied about to describe a sumptuous environment, great ease and comfort, and abundance. Excess? Perhaps! However, these are words used extensively and, at times, erroneously in the automotive industry, mostly when describing a particular model and its lofty pecking order in their catalogue. 

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As mentioned, this can be grossly misplaced and therein lies the rub. Of course, these can easily be pointed out by those with a keen eye, but these fly below the radar for most. 

It is here that the subject of this article comes in, the regal Range Rover. Over the years, the Rangie has been at the forefront of SUV luxury, the pioneer of melding ultra-luxury and off-road capability in one into one SUV, if you will. Think of it as the perfect one-car garage bastion, the one that does almost everything so well that, if you were given the option to choose just one car – it would rate right up there. The 'Big Body' as it was deemed following the launch of the Range Rover Sport back in the mid-2000s, there needed to be a discernible pecking order as the Sport and Big Body would not only appeal to different buyers, but also fetch different price tags. Both have remained popular up to their latest offerings. While we have yet to drive the new Range Rover Sport, the Range Rover Autobiography on test here is an unmistakably impressive machine. There's a comprehensive list of reasons why. 

Aesthetically, it might look a lot like the outgoing car and, to some extent, I see why the designers didn't stray too far off the outgoing model's silhouette and design book. For starters, it needs to be instantly recognisable as a Range Rover while stamping its authority as the absolute pinnacle of the British luxury car brand. I believe they've nailed the design brief to the mast. That rear, in particular, is a noteworthy design element that will leave you with no illusions or doubts about whether this is the latest model. Thanks to a black LED light strip that doubles as a design element and looks impressive, particularly under the night sky. I also like the clean, lack of model or engine designation badges on the bodywork, which adds another layer of regalness because the Range Rover doesn't require any peacock antics, or shouting from the rooftop to be recognised – definitely a classy touch. 

Our First Edition Autobiography variant comes cloaked in a Sunset Gold Satin optional paint coat – a cool R121,800 – that looks absolutely spectacular and comes highly recommended. Nestling the Rangie at each corner is a set of 23" alloy wheels connected to an air suspension that adds to the supreme waftability of this thing.

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