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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  07 Range Rover - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover
  By TOM - July 24 - 12:26 pm

  This is my second Range Rover, having replaced my 2004 with a 2007. Having read reviews only after the purchase of the first, I was a bit skeptical. However, I have found my reservations totally unwarranted. As long as Land Rover maintains the current level of quality control, I will never drive anything else. The styling goes without saying, only surpassed by drive responsivness and passeger comfort. Often labelled a gas guzzler, it is no more so than any other SUV in its league. There is a reason the current Range Rover has become an icon. It is just that good.

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  The On;y SUV Worth Buying! - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By ptv8ed@aol.com - July 21 - 2:00 am

  A remarkable leap past the previous model. The ride is equal to a BMW 7 or Mercedes S Class. Cabin is sumptuous, functional and fun. The fit and finish are first class, as you would expect from a British car. It may be pricey but it is well worth it.

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  First 5000 miles - 2007 Land Rover LR3
  By Gillz - July 21 - 12:40 am

  Have gone offroad (snow/rock) as well as 1500mi mountain / freeway drive so put the new LR3 through the paces. Result is a very comfortable, pleased customer. No problems to speak of, just a rattle behind 2 speakers which the dealer fixed.

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  Freelander - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By LRF - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Just a great car

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  HERES WHAT I THINK... - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By VICKKY - July 15 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS A VERY VERSATILE VEHICLE. I TRADN A CADILLAC DTS AND HAVE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF DRIVING MY SUV! I HAVE ROOM TO HAUL ANYTHING FROM CERAMIC TILES TO GAS COOKTOPS...I AM IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS AND IT HAS REALLY HELPED ME OUT ALOT. PLAN TO KEEP IT A LONG TIME!

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  HSE - 2004 Land Rover Range Rover
  By juan barrera - July 15 - 2:00 am

  excellent DESIGN (exterior/interior) performance output on any terrain is its nature. i highly recommend it to anyone that whats to have a great adventure where ever they travel.

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  Trouble free 2010 Range Rover HSE - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover
  By riversider - July 14 - 2:01 am

  Absolutely no problems with my 2010 HSE after owning it for about 10 months, none ! Yes the gas mileage is not good but I knew that going in. I have enjoyed the vehicle tremendously, and the admiring stares I get while driving it is an added plus. Brown/bronze color ( bourneville) with brown leather interior piped in cream has elicited many many compliments. If anything, the engine doesnt idle quietly and silently as some luxury vehicles do. I love the car, who knew driving a vehicle would make people turn their heads or turn around and look when they pass you ??

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  I love this SUV - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By PlaneIce - July 12 - 12:23 am

  I have drove several SUVs BMW X5, Yukon/Tahoe , Lexus lx470 and 330, but to honest the LR3 was really the most comfortable and the most head turning, it full of all the gadgets you would expect and would like to have it this rang of SUVs, I just love it.

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  Great 4X4 Luxury Ride ... No Complaints! - 2006 Land Rover LR3
  By PRinSanAntonio - July 7 - 5:46 am

  Owned the LR3 for over a month and we love it. It is fully loaded. It is so versatile, loaded with all the luxury features anyone could need. So far no issues at all, it runs great and has wonderful road presence, plenty of power w/V8. Our dealer is wonderful, and if something does happen, so what, we drive another Land Rover. How is that a bad thing? Plus no cost maintenance. Most people dream of driving such an awesome truck. Bottomline - If people could afford to drive them, everyone would. We feel very fortunate to own this vehicle.

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  Love my LR2 - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By Nick S - July 6 - 2:26 pm

  I purchased my LR2 SE in October 2007 as a winter vehicle to get me around while in graduate school. I looked at Nissan Pathfinders, and a few other SUVs in the mid $30K price range. The test drive sold me on the LR2, and I couldnt be happier. Its a great car. Fantastic on road trips, and very easy to drive. The seats are very comfortable, and while its not a tiny SUV, its not huge either. Enough space to carry whatever I need, and compact enought to drive in town every day. In bad weather, it gets an A+. The snow terrain response setting is phenomenal, as are the headlights and nav.