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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  Best Ride Ever - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By BinacoInc - May 4 - 8:16 am

  I love this car. The only thing we do not like is that it has no protection from dents, no side molding. This is the best riding vechicle I have ever driven and I have owened some very nice cars.

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  Love the car, but - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By Russ - April 26 - 6:53 am

  We bought the car in Oct 07 fully loaded. We have had the car in the shop 13 different time to repair things like sensors, temp sensor, tire pressure sensor, occupancy sensor on passenger seat (still not working right). We have had many problems with the bluetooth. They put a new module and microphone (still not working right). Navigation problem, not to mention weather stripping and other trim parts replaced. Front drivers seat was replaced after leather cracked. Front windshield had a stress fracture that they replaced. The car has been in the shop the last 5 days they are saying it needs a fuel pump and maybe more. not sure.

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  Very Nice - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By chazfresh - April 11 - 6:56 am

  The truck is great so far. Many more amenities than the competitor. The statement that it only comes with a V- 8, is incorrect. We just bought the 6 cylinder SE model. Very comfortable. Quiet, and a smooth ride. I found that the sales people are all but useless. Read the owners manual. This truck has way more than the dealers know about.

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  Very good car - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By NYC-driver - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Got this SUV for my wife, but she decided do not drive it and took my "everyday" Jetta. I use it every day, in any weather condition all year around. Excellent in snow blizzard! No any problem so far.

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  Landrovers rule! - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By Richard - April 5 - 11:26 pm

  I love my Landrover! Bought it used with 28,000 miles last year. And yes I have had to take it to the dealer for a few things but they treated me right. If you like jeeps wranglers on the outside but hate the way they ride this babys for you.

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  its terrific! - 2004 Land Rover Discovery
  By gbstage - April 5 - 10:00 am

  its fun,elegant, reliable and feels like it could climb the side of a building with no effort. zero problems, built like a tank, great vision, two sun roofs with screens and a proper english speaking navigation system. only minus is premium gas and poor mileage.

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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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  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