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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  sad - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By diana66 - July 13 - 3:35 am

  i bought mine with 87 000 miles on it, i paid 3000.00 and in my first year i spent 4000.00 , head gasket, power windows, etc, and i had two recall. now a think the car has transmission and engine issues, so sad!!!

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  My dream car - 2004 Land Rover Discovery
  By weslowery - July 10 - 6:37 pm

  Im a 17 year old and I have always wanted a Land Rover. I got one at 85,000 miles and by 90,000 we were begging for someone to take it. I loved it but it was way to expensive to fix. First was the front differential at a costly 2,000 and a window regulator 675.00 and then secondairy air pump 500.000 and last but not least the ABS modulator and front right hub. Land Rover was asking 4800 to fix that. We said forget it and sold it for dirt dirt dirt cheap but were just happy to get rid of it. It was junk!!

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  Cmon people! - 2004 Land Rover Discovery
  By DOC - July 10 - 4:46 pm

  Ive really enjoyed having this SUV! All the complaints about service is probably because a lot of "yuppies" who dont know the first thing about taking care of a car own them! Basic maintenance and upkeep will eliminate these problems. Enough already about the gas mileage...ITS A V8! Great SUV in my eyes!

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  Rover needs to step up electronics! - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover
  By Candace R. - July 10 - 1:53 am

  Unfortunately, I have had nothing but problems w/ the electrical & BlueTooth systems. Rover has been back to the dealer going on 3 times now. The speakers rattle horribly & the BlueTooth has so much static & drops calls so often that I have unlinked my phone. The phone system would also allow me to pick up calls, but then my callers could not hear me & I would have to pick up & speak through my cell. The camera dies out sometimes, but always seems to come to life when I schedule service. Pixels on display disappear or spread out occasionally. The driver settings clear out everytime I get out of the car. Its a real shame because the car is BEAUTIFUL & so much fun to drive!

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  Great ride - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By skelly8 - July 9 - 9:45 pm

  Bought used with 33k miles. Subaru driver needed a Schedule 179 vehicle for tax purposes. Averages 19 mpg on my commute, 21.5 on a run to Palm Springs down Hwy 5. Love the ride, sound system, navigation, turning radius. Does everything without drama. Freeway on ramp merge speed? No problem, put in sport mode and it winds to 7000 rpm like NOW and you are flying. Want to climb an impossibly steep trail? No problem, put it in low range and up you go. Brakes feel like you threw out an anchor. Big control knobs and buttons fit my stubby fingers and just feel right. I love this rig.

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  Great Impressions, Problems persist - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By ATK - July 8 - 10:00 am

  When I bought this car I thought I got a reliable vehicle. I have had to take it to the dealer for recalls and other problems. The sprinklers broke, a window doesnt work, the car jerks when started, the descent control/4 wheel drive failed and when the dealer hooked my car to its computer it gave the wrong readings. After calling Rover about these problems they say the dealer will fix them. I cant go to the dealer regularly to fix these "small mechanical problems." The dealers are inept. I take my car to the Amarillo Dealer; they fix the current problem; a week later something just happens to break. If you want a reliable car, search elsewhere.

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  nothing but problems!!!!! - 2003 Land Rover Freelander
  By mike w - July 8 - 10:00 am

  i have had my freelander for about a month now and it has been in the shop 4 times. where do i start.... a/c spits water out of vents, front brakes squeek and grind when i turn right and now for the latest i got in my car this morning anf my passenger side floor in the front and the back were completly soaked with water. i am completly unhappy with this vehicle!!! buying it was great at the dealer my saleman was great, even the service department is nice it is not their fault that the car is a total jalopy!!!!!!!! i have already contacted land rover and basically told them i do not want this vehicle anymore!!!!

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  Defective Air Conditioner: Sprays water - 2002 Land Rover Freelander
  By wish I didnt buy it - July 8 - 10:00 am

  In 9 months our vehicle has been to dealer 4 times to repair AC. AC sprays water out dash vents into passenger compartment. Has damaged dash electrical components, including the radio. Service bulletins did not fix problem. Vehicle depreciated approximately 35% in only 9 months. We do not intend to purchase another Freelander. It seems like it is in the dealers garage more than it is in our own.

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  The most unreliable vehicle on the road. - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By Peter - July 4 - 9:50 pm

  As the owner of a 2002 Freelander which I traded in for a 2003 Discovery I can tell everyone to take seriously the ratings given by both JD Power & Associates and Consumer Reports magazine (among others). JD Power & Associates reviewed 38 auto manufacturers and Land Rover placed right at the bottom for the reliability of all their vehicles. Consumer Reports magazine ranks Land Rover vehicles as "much worse than average" for reliability but also displays in graph form how much worse than average Land Rover vehicles actually are. When compared among 48 other midsize SUVs, the Range Rover, LR3 and Range Rover Sport all ranked between -129% to -195% in reliability (a score of zero is perfect

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  Mixed Bag - 2002 Land Rover Range Rover
  By ff120 - July 4 - 6:43 pm

  I purchased my Range Rover with low miles on it. It is a great vehicle to drive that has many problems. The air suspension gave me fits. I had to eventually replace the entire system with regular shocks. The cooling system is always giving problems also. Funny enough I still love the car. It is great in bad snow and rain. Besides the trips to the shop for maintanence it has been reliable. The door locks and windows will act up at times along with the check engine light. By the way the SRS light is "haunted", its goes off in warm weather. The engine and trans are perfect. The body is rugged and the interior still looks new. For the money the door rubber should be better. Good car needs work