An Epic Ride in the 2016 Range Rover Td6

Range Rover
Dressed for off roading in a Range Rover. Credit: LeAura Luciano for AGirlsGuidetoCars

How much off-roading can the Range Rover Td6 handle?

After driving around Sedona in a luxury Jaguar, I got to experience luxe off roading in the 2016 Range Rover Td6. The winding routes in the mountains of Sedona were a true test for the 2016 Range Rover Td6. Ultimately, the rocky roads were no match for this luxury SUV.

The tough Range Rover is built for the great outdoors and anywhere else you want to go. Driving over and through rocky roads without any issues let me know I could handle the worst weather and tough road conditions with confidence. The Range Rover delivers a relaxed, intuitive and rewarding drive. Additionally, the interior is luxurious and comfortable. The thoughtfully designed console puts essential controls within easy reach.

Cabin observation

Range Rover
Both the Range Rover and Sedona are rugged and beautiful. Credit: LeAura Luciano for AGirlsGuidetoCars

When I think of all wheel drive vehicles, I think of muscle and machinery and function over style. As soon as you enter the Td6 you see and feel the luxe touches. Heated seats anyone?  Yes, please. In the Td6 the front seats offer seven levels of heating and cooling and heating is also available in the rear seats.

Quiet, please

Land Rover has worked hard to make 3.0-liter turbodiesel Td6 as quiet as possible.The engine block is made ​​of compacted graphite iron (CGI), which reduces the overall vibration and refines the character of the engine, one of the quietest diesel vehicles ever experienced. Yes, even while kicking up dust and climbing up huge rocks on the trail, any vehicular strain was virtually inaudible.

All-terrain confidence

Each Range Rover is equipped with a whole host of features that help you navigate any terrain.  A standout: The Range Rover has a feature called All Terrain Progress Control, or ATPC.

By adjusting the speed with cruise control buttons on the steering wheel and the ATPC you can control the speed during the descent, but unlike control hill descent, ATPC operates only at very low speeds. I tested this out at about 5 mph. The feeling was a semi-autonomous drive experience where the driver steers to the best path, avoiding the most dangerous rocks, but it’s the technology that allows the vehicle to get over some tough areas while avoiding damaging the vehicle. All you do it press the ATPC button and the vehicle will accept the challenge and get you over, around or through: slippery surfaces, rocks, sand, and more.

Diesel Fuel Button. Credit: Leaura Luciano For Agirlsguidetocars
Diesel Fuel Button. Credit: LeAura Luciano for AGirlsGuidetoCars

Diesel talk

The Range Rover Td6 combines the best of British craftsmanship and drive comfort in any and all terrain, all powered by diesel. During my drive experience in Sedona, I was truly impressed by the Td6. I also got to learn about why you would want to consider diesel. First, diesel is a more efficient fuel; a gallon of diesel fuel goes a longer way than a gallon of most other fuels, including gasoline. Moreover, diesel’s high energy density contributes to substantially better mileage over gasoline vehicles, resulting in fewer trips to the pump and reduced emissions.

Who is this car for?

Anyone who wants the reliability of a suite of advanced technologies that aid your drive in varying terrain or conditions. Let’s talk miles per gallon! The diesel Td6 offering is an available $1500 option, but according to Land Rover it will pay for itself in 18-months.  How is that possible? The Td6 is lighter and offers 32 percent improvement in fuel economy and that means 658-mile range between fill-ups.

Range Rover Td6, Photo Credit: Le
Loving the blend of toughness and luxury.  Credit:  LeAura Luciano for AGirlsGuidetoCars

What I Loved

  • A tough vehicle with a high-end feel.  The Td6 standard features include many luxe touches
  • Ten-way drivers and passenger front heated seats, two way driver lumbar, drivers memory, rear bench seat with load through facility and rear manual recline
  • Auto-dimming interior mirror
  • Three Zone climate control
  • Heated leather steering wheel
  • Heated and cooled seats
  • Interior mood lighting
  • Infotainment display: 8-inch touchscreen

What You Need to Know:

  • Off road navigation
  • InControl Remote & Protect lets you interact with the vehicle remotely
  • Price: Range Rover Sport Td6 starts at $66,4502 and goes up to $86,450
  • Fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined
  • Takes diesel fuel

Note: I was Range Rover’s guest for this epic ride; travel and accommodations were provided. Opinions expressed are my own.

LeAura Luciano
LeAura Luciano

LeAura Luciano is a native New Yorker and graduate of NYU and JD graduate of Hofstra Law. Her experiences as a journalist, editor, model and lawyer have brought her all over the world. Through her travels, she has had the privilege to meet many trailblazing women and interview inspiring influential leaders in various industries. Whether it be a new gluten-free doughnut shop or an eco-friendly car launch, she covers beauty, fashion, travel, technology and cars from a unique perspective.

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