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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  Three things - 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport
  By Amy - September 11 - 11:13 pm

  After debating for months between this car, the Mercedes GLC and the BMW X3 I went with this car and overall I am happy with it. It has a unique style that people notice (doesnt look like a glorified stationwagon-hatchback), the seats recline in the back & thus are comfortable for adults to sit in for longer than 20 minutes and the interior is not full of superfluous touchpads-mouses-etc so you actually have a place, that isnt the passenger seat, to set something down. I have had the car for about 2-ish weeks and only have 3 issues with the car 1. There is no compass...for a car designed for off-the-beaten-path driving the only way to know which cardinal direction you are heading is to cue up the navigation. I miss the simple N/NE/E/S/SE/W/NW display I had on my rear view mirror in my Nissan. 2. The Heads-Up display is not bright enough to be seen on a Sunny day, but you will definitely see the reflection/glare of the screen that is generating it. 3. The left-right arrow buttons on the steering wheel do not chose between the 18 preset radio stations instead they act like a radio tuner. (I.e. you end up going thru every single radio station that comes in, instead of the ones you know you want to listen to) Kind of undermines the idea of convenience that goes with preprogramming your radio stations or putting buttons on the wheel to control the radio. (If I am wrong on this, please someone tell me how to change it)

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  swiss army luxury vehicle - 2005 Land Rover Range Rover
  By nilo - September 9 - 2:43 am

  the range rover does it all - its at home towing a boat - going camping - family trip - black tie event whatever you need it does it - the only this its not is a sports car and its not trying to be one. amazing on the hwy at 85 mpg - solid in the rain.

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  Keep on rock-crawlin in a free world - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By landrovin - September 7 - 9:30 am

  My 2008 Range Rover Sport HSE is the second Land Rover Ive owned. I replaced a wiper blade once after it froze to the glass last winter (it was - 25 degrees). It has been unbelievably reliable and a joy to drive. My maintenance is complimentary, so the only thing Ive paid for is tire rotations. If you want the most dynamic, safe, and enjoyable sport utility vehicle, you would be doing yourself an incredible disservice to not consider a Land Rover. I average 17mpg and Im a pretty aggressive driver. If I set the cruise control at 73mph, I average 21-22mpg. And thats from a 4.4 liter V8 with 300hp. Eat your heart out, Mercedes.

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  ONE FINE TRUCK - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By BILL - September 6 - 6:43 am

  handles and rides great. terrific in snow and off road. radio could be better. visibility great. fit and finish perfect. warranty a little short. nothing locks interior

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  Luxury Package Range Rover 2004 - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By MJander - September 5 - 10:00 am

  If you are even halfway considering a luxury sport utilty vehicle, you owe it to yourself to drive this ultimate "Mark III" Range Rover. The craftsmanship of the interior marterials is far superior to those found in premium sedans costing several thousands more. The offroad-ability is merely an added bonus! Others considered: E500 wagon, E500 sedan (2wd)and Audi Allroad. None approached the vault-like construction or opulence of the Range Rover. The only downside is the gas mileage; however, this is greatly offset by the tax advantages of this vehicle.

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  My biggest headache - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By 2003 Freelander - September 3 - 2:40 am

  I purchased this vehicle certified December of 2006 and Ive had nothing but problems. First, I had to have the ball bearing replaced (under warranty $3,000). Then the engine ran hot 3xs, each time the coolant had run out and had to be replaced. The 4th time I had to take it in due to the coolant again, it turned out that I needed a new engine! Thank God for warranties ($7,000). Now its in the shop again because the gasket needs replacing. I spoke with a Land Rover mechanic that told me to get rid of it. He also said that there have been several problems with the Freelander in general. Further, he said that I will continue to have problems that are expensive if I keep it.

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  Very good experience with LR3 - 2006 Land Rover LR3
  By Patrick - August 30 - 8:06 pm

  I have driven an LR3 since May of 2006. The vehicle is excellent as both an off road vehicle and an on road luxury car/truck. I have taken it on long trips (San Diego to Yellowstone etc) and it was a joy to drive. I have been off road with in and in bad weather and messy muddy roads, and it performed flawlessly. The SE7 can fit 7 comfortably. The options work well and the window space provides great views and visibility. The footprint is not so large like a Tahoe etc so its easier to park and maneuver. I strongly recommend this vehicle, and while premium priced, is worth it for long hauls, off road, or a night on the town and taking out clients. Best car I have ever owned.

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  Nice Vehicle/Awful Dependability - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By Charles Renaud - August 30 - 4:53 pm

  What can I say, I fell in love with the design but quickly fell out of love with the constant time in the shop. I have had engine problem after engine problem plus the ABS lights are constantly on. I have spent over 7k just this past year and almost 2 months of being in the shop. If you get one of these MAKE SURE you have a warranty!

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  Very Happy - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Dave - August 28 - 10:10 pm

  I love my car! I was really close to buying a garden variety 750i, but am so glad I got on the long waiting list for the Sport. Every time I drive it I get asked about it, and subsequent nods of approval. The interior is comfortable, and the industrial look rubber mats are perfect. The touch screen navigation is much better than last years knob control, and the variable traction settings worked flawlessly on my road trip from Portland down to the OC. The new Jag engine concerned me while I was waiting for the car, but it is silky smooth. Also, the infamous British electrical system has not given me one problem, so far so good. All I can say is that I am one happy owner.Buy this car

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  BC - 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
  By BC11 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is a pleasure to drive whether on snow or dry pavement. It is by far the best vehicle that I have ever owned or driven.