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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  2003-SE - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By Happywife - May 4 - 2:00 am

  My wife traded her Volvo in for this vehicle because of the body style. She loves the car and likes the ride - she bought a SUV and if she wanted a different ride she would have bought a car instead. The car is fun to drive. Since we have only put 1,000 miles on the vehicle, the reliability is hard to judge at this point. The gas mileage could be improved; however, the purchaser should know before shopping that the mpg will be low.

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  disco in alaska - 2004 Land Rover Discovery
  By leebulliii - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This was my second Land Rover Discovery and I loved it. Never had any major problems with it and the service at the dealership was always great.

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  landrover freelander se - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By ronaldassel - April 30 - 2:00 am

  console box near the gear box, too low need to reach elbow level for resting. and size is small. foot space @ the back seat limited space, trunk space small, compared to toyota rav4 2001 has bigger trunk space. stereo system should have tape player, stereo system not that hi-tech. thx.

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  A SURE THING! - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By T. Hickok - April 30 - 2:00 am

  If youre in the SUV market and are overwhelmed with the current availibility. The 2003 Range Rover is " A SURE THING!". I currently own a 2001 HSE and recently purchased the new 2003. There simply is no comparison. My best friend drives an X5, my other buddy drives the Mercedes.Theyre all comparable to the 2001 Range Rover. Up against the new 2003, they simply cant compete. The car drives like my friends 740il, handles like my E320, and still performs admirably in off road conditions. Go ahead and test drive your top favorites and then test drive the new 2003 Range Rover. Youll find yourself driving home in one, "Its A SURE THING".

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  First time to buy RR SC so far so good. - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By blkwheels - April 29 - 9:33 pm

  I was looking for the RR Sport SC when I bought my gl450 but was to nervous to consider LR due to neg reputation. They just kept catching my eye and when I drove it, I had to buy it. What a car! Love the look, cockpit feel, howling engine and how it rides. A part is on order for the pass side dual ac not cooling but for now Im loving every bit of my new ride. I only have 1k miles. I passed the gl450 to my wife. Which is also great suv but totaly diff than the RR Sprt SC.

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  Horrible company who does not value their customers! - 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By hockey499s - April 27 - 7:16 pm

  If you decide to buy a land rover, be prepared for all the extra expenses you will incur as they overcharge you EXTREMELY on every service or anything done to the car. Also be prepared to get one of the many FAULTY CARS land rover sells people and have to bring it back in for repairs constantly (in which case you will probably wind up driving around in a loaner car (if they even give you one at all) for a decent amount of the time you own/lease the vehicle, worth much less then the car you are paying for. Oh and most of all, be prepared to NOT BE a "valued customer". I clearly am not considering they still have me in a vehicle that constantly breaks down and wont do anything about it.

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  BestSUVin the World - 2001 Land Rover Range Rover
  By H - April 25 - 7:56 am

  I have always admired the Range Rover from afar, and knew one day that I would have to get one. That day finally came and I must say that I love the Range. I read people reviews and with any product your going to have the good with the bad. The Range Rover is "King of the Hill" hands down. This SUV is in a class all by itself, case in point the next time you take that baby out for a ride count and see how many other Ranges you come across. You dont see them all over the place like the so-called- comparison SUVs BMW X5, Mercedes M- class, Cadiallac Escalade. You can pull up to the light and literally count about 3 BMWs and at least 2 Escalades. The Range reign supreme.

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  A Need For Speed - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By WWOOSSH - April 25 - 3:20 am

  So far this vehicle has been the best performing SUV I have ever owned. I thought my Cadillac CTSV was fast. But the Range Rover Sport Supercharged now sits in the garage where the CTSV rested. Kudos to Land Rover for an exceptional vehicle design. I only wish I could keep my wife from taking it when Im not looking...

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  land Rover Range Rover - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By Jasonic - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love the vehicle. Awesome ride and much improved power over the 2002. Interior is near perfect.

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  Fun to drive every day - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By sbroomhd - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I am finding myself driving a little slower, leaving a little earlier, and taking different routes just to spend more time driving. It may not be a rocket but I can keep up with the rest of the traffic. It handled very well on a weekend trip via the interstate during moderate to high cross-winds. It wasnt pushed around like the van that we once owned. My wife likes the fact that she can see the road and traffic ahead because it places her higher than an auto. My 6 foot 3 in pluss sons appreciate the leg and head room in the front and back seats. All in all it is fun to drive every day.