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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  So Far - 2005 Land Rover Freelander
  By Brenda - April 23 - 5:43 pm

  My New 2005 Freelander, so far, has not given me any problems. Its spacious for a 52", 110 lbs person and rides like a car. I drive dirt-rocky roads everyday with weather conditions of snow, rain, and mud. This SUV is the Bomb! It handled the conditions with ease and makes me feel confident, so far. Highly recommend if you live where I live and drive where I drive (So. California).

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  Wow! - 2005 Land Rover Freelander
  By miaheartless - April 20 - 12:37 am

  I love my Freelander... Great for winter weather, mountain terrain driving. Geared low, handles amazing in snow and icy conditions. The only repairs other than normal wear for me have been two sensors. The most expensive repair costed less at a small shop, Walts in Gig Harbor, WA than the regular service at Land Rover and it was for the thermostat control sensor (going on memory for title of part). On the other hand, not the car you want for consistant high miles, highway driving. Driving like I have to now is a waste of this vehicle. Ive taken it through some scary bad weather including road closures and thats where it excels!

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Leased. - 2005 Land Rover Freelander
  By baradlee - April 18 - 12:30 pm

  This SUV is designed wrong, assembled wrong and just is not worth the money. And to top if off, the dealership mechanics are unskilled ans shoddy AND Land Rover could care less. 3 Sets of front brake pads & 2 sets of rotors, by 16,000 miles. Complete transmission failure(flatbed) at 26,000 miles. Thermostat leaked and was replaced at 27,000 miles. Door hinges broke, windows fell out their tracks, cupholders broke, sunroof broke. The A/C is a noisy, worthless piece of junk. Fuel Economy 13 city, 17 Hwy NO LIE! And this thing is a DOG! Cant wait to be rid of the darn thing.

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  Problems with my LR3. 1,500 miles - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By LR3 - April 16 - 4:23 pm

  Great SUV to drive. Turns Head. But lately, theres been some little troubles with mine. 1) Loud rattle sound from rear upper tailgate over any type of bumps from big to very small bumps. 2) Drivers left side mirror wont work at times. 3) Drivers right side mirror - when in reverse the mirror automatically tilts down but when in Drive the mirror does not tilt back to the same position as it was before. 4) Cover for cigarette lighter would not close once opened. I have to push lid around 13 times until the lid would stay closed. 5) Radio: When I turn on the radio, no sound will come on for about 1 minute.

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  Greatest SUV ever built - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By bk - April 16 - 9:06 am

  This vehicle is the sickest SUV ever built, effortless steering, and all the goodies that come standard on it are unbeatable. And they are rare, not every joe schmoe is driving one.

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  Amazing Vehicle that keeps giving! - 2008 Land Rover LR3
  By socalrover1 - April 13 - 11:50 pm

  The LR3 is the most versatile vehicle Ive ever owned. We have two kids & a dog & weve had our LR3 for 6 months. Interior space is very ample. This truck drives like a car in the city. Its easy to park. Snow or mountains, the LR3 has blown me away at its capabilities. It can do far more than Ill ever have the guts to push it to do. The LR3 is built like a tank. I feel so comfortable with my wife and kids driving around in it. I get about 17 MPG city & 20 on long trips. Painful with prices where they are now, but not bad considering the size and weight of these vehicles. We looked at Mercedes, Volvo, Lexus, Acura, and BMW. No regrets! The family loves the LR3 more each day!

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  Not bad! - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By Hank - April 13 - 1:36 am

  I have been very surprised with the reliability of this vehicle. I bought it mainly for the looks, but I am surprised by the durability. Rides smooth, not as big as you might think. I would definitely by another. Not the Ford one though, only the BMW model.

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  Disappointed - 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
  By Tony Schmidt - April 10 - 9:08 am

  Hate complain but the JDPower survey they sent was nothing but marketing research for Land Rover and the dealership. No opportunity to discuss these deficiencies. Overhead sunglasses compartment broke within 2 months of purchase of this new car. Took it in for repair. It took 5 weeks to get the part and a week to get an appointment after they called to say it was in. When they replaced it, it broke again in one day. Trim on the exterior sides of the windshield came loose on my second long highway trip and I had to stop several times as the flapping became unbearable. Had to remove the trim. So far that repair has held up, Jerky starts in economode. Evoque has a tiny little area to organize phone, change, pen, glasses. Cheap plastic tire rims are easily damaged on curbs, tint in wire filled windshield darkens the true beauty of the horizon, turn signal keeps going for a short period after being turned off, gas tank is on the passenger side (duh), accessing the odometer is not intuitive. You have to push a button on the tip of the turn signal!, the tiny rear window is inadequate, I cannot see kids walking in front of my house as I back out of my garage.

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  Excellent Truck, did I mention Excellent - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By pgf27 - April 10 - 8:56 am

  Wow is a good word for this truck. I traded my Infinity 2003 loaded QX4 for this, not really wanting to, and I tell you I am so glad I did. This SUV has the engine to back its size, so it actually moves like the cargo area isnt even full. The creature comforts are there, just keep in mind it is designed to be a TRUE off road vehicle, so some standard features like auto lights are not a part of this car. Ive been over several terrain types, and the trucks program selection for off roading made the truck handle things easily (Like curb climbing, etc). The vehicle does use gas like any suv, but I am definately VERY happy and always excited to climb in for a drive!

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  Excellent versatility in the city - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By Magnus - April 10 - 12:36 am

  Weve owned an SE for 2 months and 5,000 miles. Fit & finish inside & out is flawless. Mechanically perfect. Rides, handles, accelerates & brakes almost sports-sedan-like. Engine even sounds powerful. Exterior size isnt big, but inside, it "lives" huge. Visibility is very good, especially if you fold down center rear seat. Sunroofs make the interior bright. Seating is very comfortable and roomy in every seat. Ability to lower the vehicle with one switch is very handy for shorter people & dogs to get in/out. Rear seats fold flat easily in many different variations. Transmission "sports" mode allows fast & easy merges with heavy city traffic. Very comfortable on long freeway rides