Jaguar Land Rover has updated the interior of the 2024 model year Range Rover and Range Rover Sport by removing physical controls
The Range Rover interiors are about as fine as they get, apart from the silly big touchscreen plonked in the middle of the dash like a supersized cheap aftermarket Sat Nav, ruining the visual appeal that comes with integrated screens.
No doubt it’s cheaper to bolt the screen to the dash than integrate it (as you still find in cars like the Continental GT), but it makes everything so bland and ‘Tesla-like’ and reeks of cost-cutting.
Still, at least JLR didn’t go completely bonkers with the touchscreen so you can use physical controls for Air Con, Terrain Response and Audio. Or at least you could.
Now – and we don’t know how we missed it – JLR has done away with the physical controls and replaced them with functions on the touchscreen and just blanked off their previous location with pieces of trim. It looks dreadful (see picture above).
Not only does it look dreadful – and cheap and tacky in a £100k+ car – it’s also totally impractical and dangerous to start messing with a screen on the go to change the volume, alter the temperature or change the Terrain Response. And what happens if the screen freezes?
This cost-cutting madness has gone too far now, and it’s more dangerous to try and do simple things on the move – especially off-road – than it is to use your mobile at the wheel.
When will car makers learn that just because they can move all functions to a screen, they shouldn’t?
Drivers don’t want it.
Sandra Harris says
Had one and got rid of it. Range Rovers are beautiful cars but when they go wrong, and they do often, you have to have deep pockets. Too much technology.
Shawn Cardamon says
Would be great if this article was prefaced with “opinion”
Just took delivery of a 2024 and traded in a 2022 – such a tremendous upgrade and kudos to JLR looking toward the future. UI is intuitive and interaction with options like ride height is fantastic.
This updated design is what progress looks like.
Shawn's shity"opinion" says
You must be brain dead.
First of all the article is talking about the differences between the 23 and the 24 full size models. The 22 is a completely different generation that has remained the same since 2018, and I would still prefer the older UI and interface over the bullshit 2024 iteration. You have to be an idiot to applaud cost cutting decisions especially when they charge you more money every new model year.
Eric says
I totally agree with you mate. This guy must be brain dead to applause cost cuttings, Whole design was made for physical first gen physical buttons now all blanked off and put into the leftover screen.
If he was smart he wouldn’t have gotten the 24 model anyway so cant blame him.
Annie says
We have very bad experience with Range Rover Velar model. Wouldn’t recommend this vehicle to anyone.
Martin says
Quite the opposite with my 2022 Defender, no issues whatsoever and now on 9,000 miles, fabulous vehicle
R2 says
Weird, because reviews that have actually been near the car – rather than just journalism-by-internet-browser, actually say that LR have done a good job, and it’s fine.
Bisayo says
My first range is this 2024 model and I love every bit of it. Voice control is also a feature if you don’t want to mess around with hands
Martin says
l’ve sat in one and l think it looks great, it’s like the Velar, l would rather have buttons but apparently l am in the minority
Samir Patel says
Many years ago BMW moved many controls including tempreture to the screen and controlled by the rotary controller. The motoring press loved it because it decluttered the dashboard.
The Japanese were slated for having dashboard controls.
The Japanese were correct.
It’s the touchscreen generation that dictate the market.
Yes, fir the sake of road safety, bring back HVAC controls.
Engineer says
They are copying VW’s playback, just a couple of years later. The Golf/Passat went full touch interface and it hurt sales so much that they’re returning to physical switchgear again. Why JLR aren’t learning from the best in the business beggers belief.
Martin says
They’re certainly the best in the business at lying about their emissions. But the cars aren’t bad, definitely one of the top five manufacturers
Martin says
Apparently drivers DO want it all on the screen according to customer feedback.
l don’t !!
But apparently many do.
Malcolm says
JLR don’t listen don’t care what customers want. Arrogance shall catch up with JLR hopefully, stop buying there product or if possible delay new purchase until they listen. There keyless security disaster and total disinterest in sorting issue must show every customer that they DONT care as their dealerships mirror same attitude.
M- OG says
DVLA and car manufacturers regulator should have a look at aspects of driver’s distractions with these touchscreens controls. These are worse than mobile phones. The functions are not straightforward but you go through so many layers of touches to set up whatever and same to deselect. Where is the fun and enjoyment in driving if it’s getting this dangerous. The systems are not fail safe either, satnav freezing up and controls not responding, drivers are screwed over…more like using your money to buy death ????
Julie vohmann says
I have a 2023 Range Rover sport. I absolutely love this car!!! However this minimalist change for the 2024 model is awful. I would definitely crash if I had to constantly look for stuff on the screen.
Should of left it alone!!!
Harji says
I totally agree with you Carsuk.
Something essential, intuitive and part of an ineffable driving experience is lost.
1GuyFromHalton says
Global shortages of silicon chips has more than a small role in this. Every auto maker are minimising the number of chips in their vehicles. If a few switches went through a chip then linked to the data bus from the screen, as a necessity, the switches would be removed and the whole lot go through the screen. That’s one less logistics and supply headache.
So the reasoning is based on a real world issue.
Safety wise, I wouldn’t like to comment…
swanzy Nartey says
Safety is paramount
Uhu says
I used it already. It’s easier to use than the physical controls… what the heck is behind this stupid report?
Rod Clements says
Wait till you fumble my friends + the semi trailer rear about head height appears in your windscreen
Fred Watson says
I have a 23 range rover se and wish mine was all touchscreen
Clive Powis says
The in side is now as bad as the out side to much electronics in all vehicles now give me back a gear stick and a handbrake never liked them after the p38 but trying the 322 and most of the electrics have locked up at some point the new ones must be so dangerous if they lock up
Dr Doc says
As owner of an XF JAG which more than likely shares a lot of electrical / electronics parts and not having the greatest reputation in this area I would be reluctant to spend 100k plus and end up stranded middle of nowhere.
Tina says
Turning all Electric is a bad move. Lithium fires cannot be put out easy. Has for insurance get a grip with anti theft..£5000 to insurance a 12 plate. JLR will be bankrupt by 2024.
Ronald Ntambi says
Blind imitation of trends without conscious consideration of driver needs. A Range Rover is supreme. It sets the trend.
Dave says
Completely agree- I have just changed to a 24MY and the interior is a big disappointment . I have also had the screen lock up on a journey which meant I had no nav, a/c, ice.
They have replaced a panel with some lovely tactile easily accessible controls with a cheap plastic box…Ridiculous.
wolfie says
Hear hear! I drive a Skoda Kamiq and that is bad enough. I have a hand disability which means that controls can only be set when the car is stationary. When will car manufacturers realise that these touch screens are DANGEROUS. I agree with you when you say they are worse than using a mobile phone. How many accidents occur because drivers are distracted by these things?
Doni mac says
Totally agree with you bring back knobs ???? on a serious note were is the 30 second rule?