Land Rover

When you think about blazing trails off the beaten path, the first name that comes to mind is probably Land Rover. But, more than just a bunch of rugged off-roaders, many are also luxurious and stylish, as you’d expect from a subsidiary of Jaguar Land Rover. Naturally, this means that you should expect to pay a lot more for a new Land Rover than you would for a simple family hauler, with some topping out at over $90k, but most are pretty reasonable for how much you get in return. They are generally spacious, both for passengers and cargo, and lavishly dressed in premium materials. The tech is top-notch, too, with yearly updates ensuring that every offering stays abreast of the competition.

About Land Rover

While the namesake vehicle was first produced by the Rover Company, the automaker only came into its own in 1978, so it is not very old. While it is considered a British brand, it most recently fell under the purview of the Indian company Tata Motors, with its core goal being to develop off-road four-wheel-drive automobiles. Naturally, these generally take the form of sport utility vehicles. From its inception through to 2016, all of the manufacturer’s models relied on the boxed-section frame. Nowadays, the unified body-on-frame is used, and some select configurations allow for two-wheel drivetrains, showing that the manufacturer has evolved and grown beyond its original goal.

New Land Rover cars

With a history spanning over 70 years, the automaker has added quite a few nameplates to its stable. But careful refinement and updates have resulted in a selection of five core Land Rover vehicles in the USA. These vary from smaller crossovers through to monstrous utes. Under the umbrella of these five badges, there are standard and more athletic variants, as well as some electrically assisted units that improve outputs and efficiency with the latest in hybridization technology.

• Range Rover - The flagship of the entire range has evolved over the years, adding various different styles and setups. However, two still stick closely to the original - the namesake and the Sport variant. The standard Rover is the burliest machine with up to 557 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque supplying it with an impressive towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. Needless to say, it is also the most expensive, ranging from $90k to $200k. The RR Sport, though, shaves off some weight and cost, too, while upping power outputs and offering far more engaging driving dynamics. Since neither can boast particularly economical gas mileage, the available hybrid options are a godsend to those who want to save a buck or two.
• Evoque - A compact luxury SUV with a cabinet full of awards, the Evoque is stiff competition to the likes of the BMW X2 and Audi Q3. Powered by a 2.0L turbo four-pot, it has access to between 246 hp/269 lb-ft and 296 hp/295 lb-ft for all four wheels. Together with sporty aesthetics, genuine all-terrain capabilities, and a host of modern tech, this is a recipe for a very successful automobile, though it is outperformed by some of its more sport-focused premium rivals. It can also be had with a convertible body.
• Discovery - When you want the true exploration prowess of the brand but not all the extra weight and ruggedness that implies, but also want more practicality than a lightweight mudskipper offers, that is where the Discovery enters the fray. Much like its big brother, it is available in the standard or more street-smart Sport variant. The former has loads more practicality with 41.2 cubic feet of traditional cargo space, while the latter sacrifices in this area for better looks and aerodynamics when taking corners at speeds the heavier high-riders would not dare. Inside, it is almost as opulent as the Range Rover it draws so much inspiration from, and it does not skimp on space, either.
• Defender - A direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, the Defender is among the most capable of the new Land Rover SUV models. However, its most recent redesign has softened its traditionally rugged appearance, so purists may not be impressed by its ability alone. But it is not just meant to blaze trails; it makes for an excellent town vehicle, too, with a smooth ride and a luxurious interior. There is also more than sufficient passenger and cargo space, as well as a decent array of tech to keep everyone happy.
• Velar - So long as you stick with the range-topping V8 engine, which pumps out a monstrous 542 hp and 502 lb-ft, this is a straight-up winner. Nipping at the heels of the six-digit flagship nameplate in terms of overall BuzzScore, it is consummately professional, both on and off the road. That is not to say it is perfect, though. The sheer amount of glitzy style and overpriced add-ons draw attention away from its failings. These include its subpar handling for such a premium automobile, its abominable infotainment suite, and strong opposition from rivals both in-house and abroad that do everything it does, only better and for less money.

Land Rover models and prices

Though it may be a short list, here is the name and price of each Land Rover currently on sale in America.

Why buy a Land Rover SUV?

The manufacturer has carefully refined its lineup over the years to provide the best in a variety of fields, including on- and off-road capability, luxury comfort, modern tech, and sheer power. However, there are a number of common strengths and weaknesses apparent in each Land Rover SUV.

Pros

• Contemporary but rugged styling
• Opulent, well-designed interiors
• Wide selection of engine options
• Several hybrid variants
• True all-terrain capabilities

Cons

• Not for the faint of heart or light of wallet
• Several build restrictions in the USA
• Generally terrible fuel economy

FAQs

For more information, we invite you to read through our Land Rover reviews, which comprise detailed accounts of specs, features, and prices of all new and upcoming cars from the automaker.