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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  Great Crossover! - 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
  By trbtrb - March 22 - 12:51 am

  We have had the full size Range Rover, Sport, and now the Evoque (4 door). Not only it gets much better gas mileage (~20 in the city), but the turbo is responsive, the interior and the exterior is awesome. Wont make a mistake by getting his vehicle.

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  Hey wht a car - 2005 Land Rover Range Rover
  By sculley - March 21 - 8:03 pm

  this car is just so good you have to get on or else, but if i was u ii would buy the desiel instead for its off road and on road proformce, this range rover is also better than the hse or se discovery off road because of it short wheel base and lenght. the job that land rover have done is great you much get one

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  2003 Range Rover - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By DAKF - March 18 - 8:00 am

  Mechanically, it has been a great car (if you can overlook getting 14 mpg). Its absolutely the most comfortable Rover yet and drives like a dream. I have had no mechanical breakdowns, but have had many incidental repairs, from interior pieces coming off to the radio/nav system going down.

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  It would be great if it worked - 2015 Land Rover LR4
  By chicagodriver2 - March 15 - 10:09 pm

  "This is my second brand new LR4 in the last 3 months. The first had multiple mechanical issues and I was given a replacement. Now my most recent LR4 Lux was also in the shop after less than ONE WEEK! I have now seen suspension issues, transmission issues, fuel pump issues and engine issues all within two brand new 2015 trucks and in a period of three months. I love the design, the features and the ride but I could really just use a car that works."

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  Youll get to know the service guy - 2004 Land Rover Freelander
  By Dave - March 11 - 3:50 pm

  This car is very fun to drive and is a blast with the top off. The problem is keeping it out of the service department. The windshield wipers failed twice, windshield washer once, one recall for brake lights. The car wouldnt start at all the 2d day I had it & had to be towed back to the dealer, & problems with the transmission. The key is to enjoy it and then get rid of it before the warranty expires.

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  Awesome L2V - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By Ross - March 10 - 1:06 am

  Remember when the Space Shuttle first flew? Amid the laurels there was all this noise about the cost, the electonic failures, the "need"? Well, Land Rover has established itself by re-engineering their Discovery into a 20th century "space rover" SUV. This vehicle is built for the moon terrain and it will get you there in supreme comfort. Its had its share of recalls, failures, and tweeks but when you are driving the "first of", you cant beat the construction, performance, and charm this "Rover" has. Its less than its competitors SUVs and still out performs them. Ill continue to work through its "bugs" while enjoying the view from up here.

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  Fantastic powerful ride - 2011 Land Rover LR4
  By BK - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Been driving my LR4 Lux for 2 weeks, nothing but good things to say, powerful, luxurious interior, easy hands free. Lowering of vehicle 2" is great for my 2 young kids to get in and out, they love the ambient lights in the doors! Drove a 06 RR sport, this vehicle is better appointed more powerful and cost $15k less! I use this vehicle for work. hauling virtually everything and anything, slick back seats. iPod cord transfers everything to the display easy to use. Cameras are a little over kill but have come in handy parking tight to curbs!

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  A true SUV, with a Punch! - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By MR.D - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I have only owned the car for a month with no problems to report. It is a 2011 RRS w/ Luxury Package, Fuji White w/ Almond interior. A different driving experience coming from a GL450, X-5 and a QX56. This is bar none the most fun to drive SUV with a build quality that can not be matched. With the 5 liter engine @ 375 hp definitely has enough power when you need it, the exhaust note sounds great when just at cruising speeds. The interior & center stack is really situated nicely and has a regal look and feel as well. If you are in the market for a RRS go get one and dont waste time, hard to find, not that available.

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  A killer,last of the BMW Rovers! - 2004 Land Rover Discovery
  By Velocity - March 8 - 10:23 pm

  Excellent in the snow, sand (on Lake Michigan beaches) and rain. Poor gas mileage, but what are you expecting of a SUV that can pull a 2 ton sailboat, a 4 ton sailboat a short haul and jet two kids plus gear around town. Traded my first 2001 Disco SE7 for the 2004 HSE7 (4.6l v8) and it was a great trade! The LR3 is a DOG! Looks and feels and drives CHEAP! Buy a USED DISCOVERY II or II.5! By the way, the replacement parts are much cheaper too from your local import mechanic!

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  Good start but failing - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Peter - March 7 - 6:10 am

  This is an update to my review of May last year. Although the first 11 months of my ownership experience was great the last few months have been not so good. Thing are starting to go wrong quickly. I have seen these with others on this site...suspension clunking in the shop twice before they could figure it out, check engine light on and off several times in the shop firt time for PCV valve then again for a new catalytic converter. Nav and radio periodically do not come on then out of nowhere fire up. Bought the extended warranty to 75k and am happy I did. If more goes wrong over the next 6 months i will certainly turn in and pay for the mile overage rather than buy a headache