We Tried Out Range Rover's New Electrostatic Speakers and We Weren't Prepared for the Fidelity

• Land Rover has a groundbreaking new stereo available in its top-level Range Rover SV Ultra trim.
• Electrostatic speakers inside the SV Ultra provide loud, clear sounds and true 3-D surround sound.
• The speakers themselves are lightweight, thin, and powerful, and Land Rover says they are 1000 times more responsive than traditional cone-style speakers.

With the launch of the 2027 Range Rover SV Ultra, Land Rover is majorly moving the needle for in-car audio. Developed with Warwick Acoustics, the Range Rover's new stereo utilizes electrostatic speakers rather than traditional cone-type units. These speakers are both lighter in weight and much thinner, taking up less space, making it easier for engineers to place them in better spots, such as in the SUV's headrests. The result is extraordinary.

Because of the smaller size, the electrostatic speakers can be placed in areas where traditional speakers wouldn’t fit.

Unlike normal speakers, which use magnets, cones, and voice coils, an electrostatic speaker uses static electricity and a very thin membrane installed between two thin metal frames. An audio signal is applied to the metal frame, which then vibrates the membrane to create the sound. Land Rover says this design is 1000 times more responsive than a traditional speaker setup.

We've listened to our favorite tracks in every car stereo on the market, and usually find those that purport to offer surround sound come off as distorted and unnatural. Not with the SV Electrostatic system. The sound fills every square inch of the Range Rover's cabin to a tangible degree. You cannot pinpoint where exactly the speakers are located, leading to a truly immersive experience.

Hidden transducers inside the Range Rover SV Ultra’s seats provide the feel of a bass kick.

To make it even more immersive, the SV Ultra also features haptic panels in the floors and seats to transmit the bounce of bass to your body without relying on an overly enthusiastic subwoofer that can overwhelm the music itself. To be honest, we could do without the seat feature—something Land Rover calls Body and Soul Seats—but luckily it can be deactivated.

During the demonstration, we were shown that even cranking the volume doesn't result in distortion of the sound. Nor does the loud volume result in ear-straining noise, just clear, reference-grade high-fidelity sound.

Ultimate Rover

In case you missed it, the Range Rover SV Ultra debuted a few months ago and will go on sale as a 2027 model. Land Rover calls it "the most exquisite interpretation of Range Rover luxury." In addition to the stereo, it features a special Titan Silver paint job that uses aluminum flake. In person, it looks like liquid metal and takes on slightly different hues depending on how the light hits it.

The cabin is cruelty-free and sustainable, featuring upholstery that is made from faux leather and trim sourced from rattan palm—a type of wood that quickly regrows once it's chopped down. The SV Ultra is offered in both short- and long-wheelbase body styles with a twin-turbo V-8 engine under the hood.

Fabulousity doesn't come cheap, though, and the Range Rover SV Ultra starts at $255,350. And that price doesn't include the SV Electrostatic stereo, which is an option that adds an additional $12,570 to the bottom line. But if you are an audiophile, you absolutely must give this stereo a try.

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Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.