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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  Fortunately the lease is almost up - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Bob Smith - May 5 - 8:23 am

  Where to begin? I live, work in wash DC, 33 month old vehicle has 27,000 miles. Performance: this winter had 3 major snow storms, had to be pushed out of snow three times in this "go anywhere, do anything" vehicle. Woefully underpowered, acceleration terrible, Burns gas like Boeing 757, Im at the gas station more than the office, handles like an 18 Wheeler. Both front/rear brakes need replacement in 20,000 miles-not covered under warranty. Needs "realignment" about every 7-8k miles (not covered under warranty). Interior: displays are small, difficult to read, green backlite awful, "mahogany" console trim so uneven you can cut yourself, bill Gates couldnt figure out electronics, nav system is a joke.

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  Nice All Around - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Broskay - May 3 - 8:46 am

  I have always wanted a RRS mainly because of its good looks. I decided against buying the 09 model because I considered it not technologically up to date. My 2005 Infiniti FX 35 came with a back up camera, which was still missing in the RRS as at last year. They sure did make up for all the short comings this time around. I really dont have a lot of problems with the fact that the exterior is not significantly differentiated from the old model. Ive always considered the exterior look beautiful.I get to take it on a drive to Tennessee this weekend for Thanksgiving and Im sure it is going to be a fun ride based on what Ive experienced cruising around town so far. The drive is really smooth

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  My Land - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By Pepe - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Buying a prestigous name. Good Car. Take it anywhere.

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  Junk car - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By ak - May 1 - 10:56 am

  I bought my freelander with around 42,000 miles on it. I didnt have any problems until the car hit 60,000 miles. Since then, this car has been breaking down like I have never seen before. I had to put a new fuel pump, sun roof, drive shaft, window regulator, cam seals, engine . The vehicle has only 80,000 miles on it currently. I maintain my cars and did all the factory recommended service maintenance. Also most of my driving has been on the interstate. I have a second car I do my city driving with. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I will never by another landrover. Do yourself a favor and stay away from landrovers, unless you want a junk car!

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  Looks great in the shop! - 2005 Land Rover LR3
  By Ted - May 1 - 2:36 am

  Transmission failure, suspension failure, rear differential replaced, water in front head lamp, water leaking into cabin from sunroof, water collecting in floor boards, e-brake failure, right rear break shattered, leaking oil from oil filter connection, recalled gas tank, faulty coolant indicator. Thats 12 issues in a little over a year of ownership, and there are other smaller issues as well. If my LR3 qualified for the Lemon Law (under 15k in mileage) Id return it. Given previous issues with the Discovery I would not spend money on a Land Rover again. The quality is just not there. At this moment its being fixed again, then it will be traded in, not for another LR.

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  Coolant System and Transmission - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By Shirley Allen - April 28 - 6:03 am

  Transmission had to be replaced. Was still under warranty. Had to have coolant tank replaced, then thermostat replaced because of constant overheat of engine. Vehicle in shop. Dealer says engine needs replacing because of cracked engine. Coolant getting into oil? These are major problems for a vehicle with only 85000 miles and for the cost to purchase this vehicle. Also brake pad need replacing too often.

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  More than a pretty face - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By jersey - April 26 - 2:00 am

  This is not just another cute ute. I have recently had this SUV seriously off-road it can perform. Even the professional trail guide was impressed. I like the interior, but this is definitely a matter of personal taste. Concerns about storage and on-dash cupholders are BS. Ive take a couple of fast-food cups down a rough dirt road with zero spillage. There is limited seat travel and no height adjust. The sun-visor is poorly designed and blocks vision due to its design unless you are short. Rear storage is smaller, but still adequate for most people.

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  Absolutely Great.....ITS A TRUCK!!! - 2001 Land Rover Range Rover
  By Andy/M - April 24 - 2:30 am

  The best looking SUV by far, and the most comfortable seating position of any vehicle Ive sat in (someone over 61"). It is not a sports car, but you definately OWN THE ROAD. The interior design is quirky/different which is what I like about it. All materials are solid/ heavy/ luxurious. No plastic or "designed style". This is minimalistic, but quality styling. I got a 2001 leftover for less than a Navigator, Escalade or now even prices on high-end Yukons! Price? No COMPARISON!

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  LR2 - Excellent for new families! - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By Duane - April 16 - 4:00 pm

  The LR2 is the perfect car for someone who is expecting their first child or travels out of the city. The cabin fits 5 passengers comfortably with a good amount of room for storage. The engine provides enough power, but does not perform like a sports car. The issue is whether that is what you are looking for. The fuel economy is fine, if you learn how to drive the engine. The LR2 is a great buy combined with the Land Rover no service charge for scheduled maintenance and other premium services such as road assistance are included with purchase.

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  Super Duper Charged - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Freddie - April 10 - 3:20 pm

  After one week of driving this car, i am amazed at what it can do. The performance and handling are amazing. I looked at other performance SUVs and I know I made the right choice. The truck is fully loaded and is fun to drive. You have the feeling of complete control while driving.