18 MPG combined in the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover LWB 5.0L isn’t a typo. For some buyers, it’s the price to enter a world of luxury, off-road capability, and road presence. This isn’t a vehicle for budget commuters; it’s for people who want capability and opulence over fuel efficiency and will pay for it.

City and highway performance

The EPA rates the 2018 Range Rover LWB 5.0L at 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. The city MPG is where most owners will notice the fuel costs. Stop-and-go traffic in a vehicle weighing nearly 5,500 pounds consumes fuel. The 21 MPG highway estimate is more likely on long trips, although accelerating frequently will lower it. The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 encourages fast driving, and resisting it can be a challenge.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover LWB 5.0L is $3,200. This relies on driving 15,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices. Actual fuel costs will vary based on driving, location, and fuel prices. Fast driving, short trips, and premium fuel will increase that number. The $3,200 figure is a baseline, not a strict prediction.

Real-world expectations

Don’t count on EPA numbers. Range Rover LWB 5.0L owners often report lower real-world fuel economy, especially in cities. Expect city MPG closer to 14-15 and highway numbers around 19-20 if you enjoy the engine’s power. Matching EPA estimates requires careful driving. Explore ROVER MPG across all years to learn more about the marque’s history with fuel efficiency.

How it compares

The fuel economy of the 2018 Range Rover LWB 5.0L is among the lowest in its class. The Cadillac Escalade, with its 6.2L V8, gets a little better at 17 MPG combined. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 550, with its turbocharged V8, gets about 16 MPG combined. Even the BMW X7 M50i, which is known for performance, gets a bit better at 18 MPG combined. The Range Rover’s style, off-road features, and brand may be preferred over fuel costs for some, while others may compare fuel costs to meet their luxury and space requirements. Check all Land fuel economy data for a good comparison of their vehicles.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Start with gentle acceleration. The supercharged V8 gives power, but avoid speeding. Smooth acceleration minimizes fuel consumption, mainly in city driving. Be mindful of the gas pedal.

Use cruise control on the highway. Keeping a speed minimizes accelerating and decelerating, which saves fuel. Cruise control isn’t useful in stop-and-go traffic, so turn it off when you need to brake often.

Make sure your tires have enough air. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which lowers fuel economy. Check your tire pressure and inflate them to the levels on the doorjamb sticker. Account for temperature changes.

Don’t idle the engine. Modern engines don’t need long warm-up periods. Idling wastes fuel and pollutes. Turn off the engine when stopped for over a minute. Avoid idling in parking lots unless necessary.

Consider using a fuel additive to clean fuel injectors and raise the fuel’s octane levels. Clogged injectors can spray fuel resulting in poor atomization and wasted fuel. Raising octane can prevent premature detonation when using lower-octane fuel.