Overview & Reviews

Land Rover is a luxury SUV manufacturer that has its roots in England. Many of its vehicles are replete with the sort of leather-lined comforts that call to mind hunting lodges and high tea. Land Rovers are also known for being stellar trail-busters, endowed with the moxie to get down and dirty when the road gets rough. Currently owned by Tata Motors, Land Rover is one of just a few automotive brands in the United States to solely market SUV products.

After World War II, two British brothers, Spencer and Maurice Wilks, were impressed by the rugged and versatile nature of the U.S. Army's Jeep. They worked with the British automaker Rover to create the first Land Rover in 1948. Called the Series I, this truck was equipped with permanent four-wheel-drive, a canvas roof and optional doors. These early Land Rovers were crude but extremely well-suited for operations in the field.

The 1950s saw Land Rovers moving toward increased power and refinement. Launched in 1958, the Series II offered added horsepower and a somewhat less rudimentary exterior, with sills designed to disguise the exhaust and chassis. The first diesel-powered Rover was also produced during these years. The Series IIA came next, in a production run that lasted from 1961-'71. As the '60s drew to a close, Rover was acquired by Leyland Motors Ltd. (which would later become British Leyland).

Land Rover's storied Range Rover made its debut in 1970. Equipped with a V8 engine and a body made mostly of aluminum, the stylish vehicle was more consumer-oriented than its predecessors. In the mid-'70s, British Leyland was nationalized; by the mid-'80s, the company — renamed the Rover Group — had been acquired by British Aerospace.

The automaker officially entered the U.S. automotive market in 1987 when the Range Rover made its debut on American shores. It was followed in 1989 by the Discovery, which was initially offered only in two-door form. The Discovery was the first all-new Land Rover in 19 years.

In the 1990s, the sudden popularity of the burgeoning SUV segment placed the brand in an enviable position. In response, Land Rover's vehicles, while still retaining their go-anywhere attitude, became more luxurious, particularly after BMW bought the company in 1995.

The Land Rover family of vehicles has continued to grow. The late '90s saw the introduction of the Freelander; the compact sport-ute held the distinction of being the first production vehicle to offer Hill Descent Control. The latter optimized maneuverability on steep descents by automatically braking to keep the vehicle's speed in check.

BMW's control was short lived, however, and in 2000 Land Rover was sold to Ford. Ford worked hard to improve the reliability of Land Rover's vehicles, but by 2008 Ford's financial instability resulted in Land Rover being sold again, this time to the Indian automaker Tata Motors.

Today, Land Rover is still well known for its luxury SUVs, including the ritzy yet rugged Range Rover as well as smaller and more affordable models like the LR4 and Evoque.

User Reviews:

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  Wait unitl you have to sell it or trade - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By AXD - December 24 - 10:00 am

  The truth will come out when you try to sell it or trade it in value brings you to reality. These vehicles dont hold their value like a Mercedes or Lexus. Good Luck!!!!!!

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  Horrible reliability - 2004 Land Rover Freelander
  By philashe - November 29 - 10:34 pm

  Bought the car at 63,000 miles. Donated the car to charity at 67,000 miles. Drove for 4,000 miles until oil cooler and transmission cooler failed within a week of each other. After the failures the car needed major engine and transmission work, estimated to be around $9000 to repair. This was after a $4000 service. Car cost $1 per mile in repairs on top of the regular expenses you expect (fuel, regular maintenance, insurance). Most third-party shops are unable to work on the vehicle, requiring trips to the dealer. Insurers consider this a luxury car and the premiums are very high. Very expensive car to try to keep running. Buy a bus pass and good walking shoes. Youll be left stranded.

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  Avoid this money hole - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By rdbolger - October 26 - 6:20 pm

  Endless expensive electrical and mechanical failures. The engine however is well known for its self-destructive tendency and poor design. (It costs over $800 to replace a thermostat O-ring) The cylinder sleeves tend to slip sending coolant into the oil. The engine is no longer made and parts are extremely expensive. There are 2 catalytic converters (about $1000 each)

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  Not Worth the Money - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover
  By sbohnsack - September 30 - 6:05 am

  I have a 2010 and have had nothing buy issues. With 19,000 miles the rotors are warped and the tech said I am 5,000 miles away from needing back breaks. Before the Rover I had a GMC Denali I still have it. The Denali has 105,000 miles and I still do not need breaks. In addition the Rover Satellite radio and electronic system is a joke for the money you pay. My recommendation is save the money or buy a BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes bottom line the Rover is not worth it.

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  unreliable - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By rob - July 31 - 12:03 am

  I have owned my LR3 for 9 months and have been back to the dealership on numerous occassions. I have had to replace broken components on the gas tank door. I have had 3 recalls- they replaced the entire fule tank and internal components-they repalced the air compressors-they had to update software for a faulty ignition switch and I now have a water leak from the internal dome light. I can say I agree with ALL the auto reviews that the LR3 is one of the least reliable autos on the market. I had been a Nissan consumer for 10 years and I must say I cant remember a single problem with any of my past Nissian vehicles.

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  A nightmare wrapped in a prettty package. - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By maxmoney - July 27 - 1:53 am

  This car was one of the best cars I purchased until I hit that 50-60K mark. After I reached 60K it was downhill from there. Had it in the shop countless times because of having to replace the suspension (which I converted to coil instead of replacing the expensive air suspension), had to replace the radiator twice, an alternator (because the coolant from the radiator that leaked caused it to malfunction), a fuel pump replacement, countless brake pad and rotor replacements, and top it off with hard-to-find tires. This used to be a fun vehicle to drive but each time I turn the key im worried if ill need AAA to tow me from the side of the road.

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  Disappointed Again - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover
  By hsm - July 23 - 5:30 am

  This was the Range Rover to make amends for the RR problems of the past. It seems it is not to be. Since buying new, Ive had repeated problems with "check coolant" light, oil service reminder that would not reset and now a "Suspension System Fault" that they cannot seem to fix (Land Rovers build problem, my dealer is great). The alarm signal sounds, the message light says drop speed below 30 mph. I think Im done with Land Rover, the is the second lemon Ive had in three model years. Designed well and fun to drive, just dont go too far...the reliability is not what it should be for a car in this price range.

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  Worst purchase - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By Ceceila - July 20 - 5:13 pm

  Well I purchased my land rover in 2007 and the first thing i had to fix after two weeks of having the land rover was the passenger window on the drivers side, which was a lot of money, than 6 months later i had to fix the brakes, then the water pump, thermometer, gas tank, which i might is upside down after taking it someone other than land rover and now the head gasket, I had to fix the land rover more than enjoy it, it put me down after it was supposedly fixed twice on the freeway last year when I was 8 months pregnant, I have had the greatest time with this vehicle, unfortunately there was no warranty available when i purchased the vehicle, i would like my money back

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  Do not buy this car!!! - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By kitty - July 17 - 2:33 pm

  After 4 months, this car needed a new alternator, since then its gotten the cooling system fixed 3 times, a whole new transmission, needs new timing belts, and a new fuel pump. Also the radio is broken, and the moonroof wont open. This car is terrible, and I was a fool to buy this car without researching it better. I hoping to get rid of it tomorrow! Do not buy this car. I will never own another Land Rover.

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  Range Rover - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover
  By David S - June 14 - 8:33 am

  There is no doubt that the Range Rover (RR) is the best looking SUV, but it is far from the best SUV. In fact, it just may be the worst. When you hear the rumors about the high level of frequency that the RR needs maintenance, believe them. One of the most frustrating attributes of ownership is having an $80,000+ vehicle needing to go in for service every 3 or 4 months. Not only that, but the service department at the dealerships are expecting the maintenance. There are no apologies or concessions offered. I feel that the time spent and the frustration used while owning this vehicle is highly unwarranted.