Overview & Reviews

Pedigree means everything at the top end of the sport-utility market, and no luxury SUV has more pedigree than the Land Rover Range Rover. The Land Rover name dates to 1948, when the Rover group began building bare-bones 4x4 vehicles with extraordinary off-road capability. The Range Rover emerged from this off-road tradition in 1970, billed as the first Land Rover civil enough to be driven by a person in a business suit. This two-door SUV was stylish, yet quite primitive by today's standards, but it was immediately popular among wealthy U.K. consumers with a taste for the safari aesthetic. Sales in the United States started in 1987, though quite a few Range Rovers were imported through the gray market in the years preceding.

Now in its third generation, the Land Rover Range Rover still carries considerable prestige. From an off-road perspective, it's one of the most capable SUVs available at any price. From a luxury perspective, it's probably the most elegant and distinctive utility vehicle on the market, despite a few rough edges. High pricing keeps all but the very rich from buying a new Range Rover, a fact that only adds to the appeal of this elite 4x4.

2013 Range Rover Specs
The 2013 Range Rover is a five-passenger luxury SUV available in two trim levels, both featuring 5.0-liter V8s. The HSE model produces 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque, while the Supercharged's V8 develops an impressive 510 hp and 461 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.

A permanent four-wheel-drive system is standard on all Range Rovers, along with low-range gearing and nearly 11 inches of maximum ground clearance. The standard Terrain Response system allows the driver to customize powertrain, suspension and electronic stability and traction systems to best handle five predetermined off-road conditions.

Engineered in the late 1990s during the brief period when BMW owned Land Rover, the Range Rover is nevertheless aging quite well. It employs unibody construction (instead of body-on-frame architecture) and a fully independent suspension (instead of solid axles). These changes make all the difference when cruising on pavement, as the Range Rover now delivers the composed ride and secure handling expected of a true luxury SUV. Yet BMW engineers went about their work carefully so as not to compromise all-terrain ability.

Cabin design is a mix of traditional and modern in the new Range Rover. The upright seating position, blocky dash and large steering wheel evoke the feeling of an old-school Land Rover, while supple leather seats (with contrasting piping), walnut inlays and a navigation system with both on- and off-road mapping assure you that this is indeed a contemporary luxury vehicle. The cabin, like the exterior, manages to be both retro and modern at the same time, especially with the new gauge cluster that is, in fact, a large LCD screen. Nevertheless, its controls can be rather arcane in fine British tradition. A roomy reclining rear seat makes it possible to carry a pair of adults or three children in back, but cargo room is only average due to a high load floor.

If you're looking for a premium SUV with unparalleled off-road abilities and a legendary pedigree, the new Range Rover is an obvious choice. If you want to save some money and get a bit more on-road talent with that same legendary pedigree, the Range Rover Sport is a good compromise. However, any Land Rover has an albatross slung around its neck in the form of disappointing reliability. Buying one has been known to cause headaches (and breakdowns), which is certainly ironic given their status as go-to vehicles for adventures to Outer Mongolia.

Used Land Rover Range Rover Models
The present-generation Range Rover dates back to its introduction for 2003. Between then and '05, a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V8 rated for 282 hp was the only engine available. It came with a five-speed automatic transmission. However, in 2006, then-parent company Ford replaced this engine with a pair of Jaguar-sourced V8s. The HSE featured a 305-hp 4.4-liter V8, while the Supercharged had a 4.2-liter V8 that was (surprise!) supercharged to produce 400 hp. The same number of transmission gears and four-wheel-drive system were employed as in the current Rover. The current 5.0-liter V8s showed up for 2010.

Buyers interested in technology will want to pay particular attention to year-by-year changes when shopping for used Range Rovers of this generation. The navigation system was CD-based until Land Rover upgraded it for 2005 (although it's once again a bit behind the times). A rear back-up camera and adaptive headlights were added to the standard equipment list for 2006.

There were significant changes made for 2007 when the interior was given a mild refresh, with twin gloveboxes, new cupholders and a slightly more intuitive control layout. The customizable off-road settings debuted that year along with an upgraded rear differential and an electronic parking brake. Airbags were also relocated for better performance and a driver's knee airbag was added. For 2010, there were minor exterior updates, a new LCD instrument cluster and navigation system, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree parking assist camera. Updates were also performed on the adaptive suspension, Terrain Response and stability control systems.

There were two previous generations of the Range Rover. Both are coveted on the used market, but potential buyers should know what they're getting into, because Range Rovers have been phenomenal off-roaders, but reliability is poor and repair costs are high.

Sold from 1995-2002, the second-generation Range Rover is the better bet of the two for buyers seeking a luxury experience. Note that 1995 was an overlap year: Rovers bearing a "4.0 SE" badge are the new model, while those with "County Classic" or "County LWB" badging are the old design. For 1996, Land Rover added a high-line 4.6 HSE model, and for the sake of acceleration alone, this is the better bet: The Range Rover 4.0 SE was powered by a 188-hp 4.0-liter V8, while the 4.6 HSE took a 222-hp 4.6-liter V8 with considerably more torque. A four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive were standard on all models, as were leather upholstery, wood trim and a high-end audio system. Interior furnishings were opulent by the standards of the day, with ample comfort for front and rear passengers.

Second-generation Range Rovers still had solid axles front and rear, but engineers fitted self-leveling air springs to improve their manners on pavement. There's only so much you can do with old-fashioned hardware, though, and compared to other high-end SUVs, the Land Rover Range Rover's ride quality was harsh and body roll was excessive around corners.

Shopping for a first-generation Range Rover could make sense if you're looking for a dedicated off-road vehicle and don't mind repair bills or doing your own repair work. Only a four-door version of the Range Rover came to the U.S., and initially it had a 3.9-liter V8 (rated for anywhere from 178-182 hp, depending on the year) and a four-speed automatic transmission. A long-wheelbase model known as the County LWB joined the lineup for 1993, and not only did it have another 7 inches of rear legroom, it upgraded to a 200-hp 4.2-liter V8.

User Reviews:

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  Very satisfied - 2005 Land Rover Range Rover
  By jed - August 30 - 5:53 am

  Ive looked for a new car for over two years. I wanted an sport utility vehicle and looked and drove the Mercedes (too small and minivan looking), the BMW X5 (too generic), the Lexus LX (poor steering response and marginal quality of some of the interior items), and the Lexus GX (too small and common). Waiting for the 2005 Range Rover was definitely worth it. The style, build quality, and smooth ride are worth the wait. Power is good, particularly in the high end. The new navigation system and voice activated telephone (using Bluetooth) are excellent and intuitive with any technical background. The ride is the best thing about the new RR, smooth with stiff and responsive steering.

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  AWESOME - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By LEON AND TRACY - August 8 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS A SMOOTH RIDING PLUSH PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE. THIS MODEL HAS SURPASSED ALL OTHERS THAT I HAVE OWNED. THE DRIVING MANEUVERABILITY THE RELIABILITY AND THE SAFETY IS FELT IMMEDIATELY. I LOVE THIS CAR..

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  Rover needs to step up electronics! - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover
  By Candace R. - July 10 - 1:53 am

  Unfortunately, I have had nothing but problems w/ the electrical & BlueTooth systems. Rover has been back to the dealer going on 3 times now. The speakers rattle horribly & the BlueTooth has so much static & drops calls so often that I have unlinked my phone. The phone system would also allow me to pick up calls, but then my callers could not hear me & I would have to pick up & speak through my cell. The camera dies out sometimes, but always seems to come to life when I schedule service. Pixels on display disappear or spread out occasionally. The driver settings clear out everytime I get out of the car. Its a real shame because the car is BEAUTIFUL & so much fun to drive!

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  Mixed Bag - 2002 Land Rover Range Rover
  By ff120 - July 4 - 6:43 pm

  I purchased my Range Rover with low miles on it. It is a great vehicle to drive that has many problems. The air suspension gave me fits. I had to eventually replace the entire system with regular shocks. The cooling system is always giving problems also. Funny enough I still love the car. It is great in bad snow and rain. Besides the trips to the shop for maintanence it has been reliable. The door locks and windows will act up at times along with the check engine light. By the way the SRS light is "haunted", its goes off in warm weather. The engine and trans are perfect. The body is rugged and the interior still looks new. For the money the door rubber should be better. Good car needs work

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  Like no other..... - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By RRFanatic - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Had a 2001 MB S600 when I bought 2004 Range Rover. Drove RR to Colorado from Atlanta. Went on toughest 4X4 terrain in the world in Gunnison County Colorado...over 14,000 ft high ancient glacier creek beds from Aspen to Crested Butte....best off-raod performance in the world. And, driving back to Atlanta decided that this SUV was more comfortable than my S600 on- road....so I sold S600 when I got back from my trip. Enough said!

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  Drivetrain / Transimission Breakdown - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By mjhanold - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I spend three hours per day (90 minutes each way to work) in the vehicle, and have really been pleased with the expereince, performance, design, and to my surprise, the fuel economy (16.5 mpg). However, my disappointment comes after losing the transmission and drivetrain through basic highway driving, and of course Im 4,000 miles over my warranty for this 1 year old car. Ive placed tremendous miles on vehicles, but Ive never had one with such dramatic breakdowns so quickly, and worst yet, Ive never spent so much on a vehicle!

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  Everything you want ++++ - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover
  By Richard - June 17 - 6:23 pm

  I have the 2006, Jag engine - I was a little suspicious at first but the 6 gears are smooth and give plenty of power when needed. I had my 2000 RR til this one and I am pleased to say "you still feel like you are driving a RR, but now it is refined and all the old frustrations and niggly designs have been corrected".

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  Range Rover Supercharged - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover
  By MB - June 11 - 11:50 pm

  This car can go anywhere in style. Whether its a meeting in the city with clients or an off road excursion to the Outerbanks of NC with our two great danes. This is our second Range Rover.

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  The true King of SUV - 2002 Land Rover Range Rover
  By browrck - June 4 - 11:46 am

  I brought this vehile with 27,000 miles on it. I had a Jeep and a Envoy before this, they are a 5 with the Range Rover being a 10. Gas mileage is poor 14mpg around town and 20hwy, but it weighted almost 5000lbs, so what can you say. There Rover can go any where, if you need to go thru snow this the vehile. I looked at the Hummer H2, but it looked to cheat on the inside and just felt cheat. I also looked an the BMW X-5, but like the Rover seating much better. My wife like it a lot and she have a BMW X-5.

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  THE BEST 4 X 4 X FAR - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By NAABS - May 24 - 5:43 am

  IT IS THE BEST MACHINE IN THE WORLD. NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO IT. NOT ESCALADE, NOT HUMMER, NOT CAYENNE NOT NAVIGATOR AND CERTAINLY NOT THE EXPLORER. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER TO DRIVE THAN THIS.