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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  Amazing SUV - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By mrjohnnycat - December 1 - 1:03 am

  I bought the Rover from a private party, the guy only had 18K in two years. I bought it for 40K it was in perfect condition. I bought someones supercharged pipes for and put also purchased chrome caps for the side mirrors and most importantly 22" wheels. The car gets a lot of attention! Everyone digs this car because it is very clean but not over the top. We just took it up from Orange County up to Carmel, Northern Cali up PCH and this car drove like a champ! No power lag for a two ton and I avg 18 mpg, not great but hey, if you dont have money you shouldnt be buying this car period. I havent had any problems from random lights a couple of times put I have been very happy with this car.

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  2004 Land Rover Discovery - 2004 Land Rover Discovery
  By xtern0 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This is NOT something you take Madison to soccer practice in. This is a 4x4 yuppie tank, a posh off-road vehicle. Imagine a Jeep built back when the Military set certain requirements on the base design (pre-Hummer era). As expected, gas mileage is awful. Downside: The "Ford Business Model" shows. Hmmm...4x4 off road vehicle that requires a $250 option in order to get floormats? I wonder if the Land Rover plant counts the squares on the toilet paper rolls and unscrews half the lightbulbs? Sounds like a corporate executive or two need to retake Marketing 110. That being said, if thats the only downside I can find, well, you be the judge.

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  05 LR3 SE Bonnetti Gray w/ Charcoal - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By Vic in Arlington - November 28 - 2:23 am

  Love to drive this truck. I wish that I had purchased the HSE to get the options. Ive had numerous issues with the truck but the dealership strives to make them right.

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  Emphasize Sport in SUV - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By J.D. Giovinazzo - November 27 - 4:40 am

  This is a great SUV thats fun to drive. This heavy vehicle is a bit thirsty for fuel, about 16.5 avg. It is a very quality built machine that moves well in sport mode, and even better in the well positioned manual mode. Ive driven several vehicles in manual mode and this vehicle is the easiest and ergo thoughtful of all of them, less vehicles with paddle shifters. The interior is classy and with the real wood trim, looks great. With the weight of this vehicle, be prepared to replace brakes every 30k or so, depending on driving habits. The brakes will run about $1,400 at the dealership. Only issue is the rear tailgate struts went out, otherwise, great Sport UV. JG

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  Get your wallet ready - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By READY, SET, STOPPPP! - November 25 - 8:50 am

  I have owned this truck for 2.5 yrs and yr 1 was great, not in the shop at all. But year 2 all hell broke, air shocks 1300 each, transmission 7500, radiator overflow 200, the navigation system is almost useless. I would be willing to pay more money for this truck if it were reliable but it isnÂ’t! The dealership that I take it to keeps it for 2 to 3 months when in for service. Truck looks great and drives like a dream when working and repairs are very expensive for everything, I have seen the revues on this truck and I would bet money that every person on here that has had this truck over a year has many horror stories to tell so if you gotta have one get the warranty!

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  new LR2 experience so far - 2010 Land Rover LR2
  By Ann Montgomery - November 19 - 12:26 am

  My new LR2 has 230 miles on it.I knew the day after I purchased it that it was ergonomically all wrong for me. The arm rest is very thin and cuts the circulation no matter what height or arm position. If you put the arm rest up there is no where to put your arm. What is worse is that in the up position, the metal adjustment screw, (about 2" x 3")sits inches from the right temple area of your head. Scary. The seat positions are limited, inability to angle front of drivers seat cuts leg circulation. It rattles alot and "ka-thunks" in several areas, over every little bump. I sure hope it has good off road ability to make up for the lack of comfort and road noise.

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  Best ever - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By MAX - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Great suv,but Ford needs to get act together, on memory seat software since remote will not activate seat settings.Also what happend to the phone hook up?Steering wheel willnot raise or lower and touch up paint is not available

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  NEWBIETO THE LANDROVER FAMILY - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By JSEA - November 16 - 10:00 am

  PICKED UP MY NEW DISCO ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.MIXED REVIEWS TO DATE. OVERALL, IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. ENGINE SEEMS STRONG, AND TOWING A 5K BOAT IS A BREEZE. SOLID RIDE,WITH A GREAT FINISH. SOME ITEMS SEEM CHEAPLY MADE. LIKE THE FUEL DOOR CLASP. BROKE OFF IN A WEEK. THE PROS FAR OUTWEIGHT THE CONS SO FAR. WILL REPORT AGAIN IN A YEAR.

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  The most astounding SUV built - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By Kelly - November 15 - 3:46 pm

  This is a most wonderful vehicle. Not only is it a automatic, its got 6 speeds you can change while driving on the highway. This is by far the best landrover for your money and excellent for the family. One model includes baby seat holders already in the car so you can just flip the seat up, and sit in the baby carrier. Wonderful!! I am so pleased with my LR3!!

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  A true class leader - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By David - November 14 - 8:16 am

  A long time GM Yukon Denali owner (two models) and prior to that, a Tahoe owner, I conducted full research and determined that, dollar for dollar, the LR3 is the BEST buy for a luxury SUV on the market today! It has not disappointed.