For nearly three decades, Land Rover has offered its pioneering Range Rover SUV, which combines British luxury with genuine go-anywhere abilities. For most of that time, the Range Rover was in a class by itself, in terms of both price and capability. New luxury competitors from Mercedes, Infiniti, and Lexus have emerged during the last ten years, but the Range Rover still stands alone off the road.

The Range Rover family has grown over the past few years: there is now a Land Rover Range Rover Velar and a Land Rover Range Rover Evoque joining the Range Rover Sport. Although there is plenty to say about the Land Rover lineup, this overview focuses on the flagship Range Rover.

The Range Rover first appeared in 1970 as a rather awkward looking two-door model. It did not become available in the United States until 1987. Before that, it arrived here only as a grey market import. Until the 1993 arrival of the Land Rover Defender 110, the Range Rover was the company's only representation in the U.S.

Generations: Five

Land Rover Ranger Rover 1st Generation
Land Rover Ranger Rover 2nd Generation
Land Rover Ranger Rover 3rd Generation
Land Rover Ranger Rover 4th Generation
Land Rover Ranger Rover 5th Generation

Pros: Off-the charts cool factor, plenty of off-road capability, tons of luxury features
Cons: Troublesome electronics, high maintenance costs, air suspension known to fail

Land Rover Range Rover 5th generation (2022-present)

After a very long 4th generation, the newest Range Rover is a welcome sight. For 2022 the full-size SUV is available in SE, Autobiography and First Edition trims and in regular or long wheelbase (LWB) models. Both seat five but buyers can option a LWB with a third row to seat seven.

Drivers can choose from a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque or a 4.4-liter V8 with a whopping 523 ponies and 553 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the new Land Rover Range Rover Sport, no plug-in hybrid is available for 2022. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission pushing the power down to all four wheels.

The Range Rover may have started as a rough-and-tumble SUV, but it now swings more towards luxury than dirt. Not that it can’t go off-road– it’s got air suspension and great all-wheel drive with Terrain Response technology – but buyers will most likely use the massaging seats and cooled center console more than they’ll use the SUV’s low range.

The latest Range Rover has a better infotainment system than the last generation and it comes with standard Advanced Driver’s Aids like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera.

Land Rover Range Rover 4th generation (2013-2021)

In 2013 the Range Rover went on a diet, losing anywhere from 400 to 900 pounds depending on your trim and chosen packages. Available in Base or Supercharged trims, the fourth-generation Range Rover continued its quest to provide off-road capability disguised as a luxury SUV.

The base Range Rover got a 5.0-liter V8 with 375 horsepower and an equal amount of torque. Supercharge that and you’ve got 510 ponies and 461 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy isn’t the best, when compared to say a Toyota Corolla, but it isn’t bad for a vehicle shaped like a brick. The base model returns an EPA fuel rating of 16 miles per gallon combined. The supercharged version returns just one mile less.

As expected, the 4th generation Range Rover came with full-time four-wheel drive and a low range. A rear differential locker was available on the Supercharged trim. The Terrain Response system was here, allowing the Rover to go much further than most would dare.

Inside, Land Rover got a bit techy with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a rotary knob for both the gear selector and drive modes.

In 2014, Land Rover introduced a long-wheelbase Supercharged trim and nixed the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 for a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.

For 2015 the Range Rover was available in base, HSE, Supercharged, Autobiography and Autobiography Black trims. Land Rover made the long-wheelbase available on vehicles with the V6 engine. Technology also got a boost with smartphone compatibility and lane-departure warning.

In 2016, the Range Rover was available in Base, HSE, Supercharged, Autobiography and SV Autobiography trims. The company went big this year, making the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 available on the tippy top SV Autobiography trim with 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The HSE with the supercharged V6 also got a power boost up to 380 horsepower. A new 3.0-liter turbodiesel was introduced with 254 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. This oil burner returned 25 miles per gallon combined.

To make off-road driving easier, 2016 saw the debut of All-Terrain Progress Control, a kind of off-road cruise control. Drivers need only worry about steering while the SUV keeps a steady pace.

In 2017 the SV Autobiography Dynamic trim was introduced with the 550 horsepower V8. Land Rover also debuted the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system this year. In 2018 it added just a few more ponies to that top trim and added a second touchscreen to replace most analog controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made their way into the cabin in 2019.

2020 saw a trim shake up with base, HSE, P525 HSE, Autobiography, and SV Autobiography making their way into the lineup. A plug-in hybrid powertrain offering was also added with 398 horsepower, 472 pound-feet of torque and a promised 19 miles of all-electric range. Finally, the supercharged V6 was nixed in favor of an inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine, tuned to 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet on lower trims and 395 ponies and 406 pound-feet of twist on the HSE trim.

The Range Rover remained largely the same in 2021 in preparation for the 5th generation of 2022.

Land Rover Range Rover 3rd generation (2003-2012)

The third Range Rover generation began in 2003 with a new body style built upon a unibody construction with independent suspension all the way around. Ground clearance increased as did interior space. While there were myriad buttons, switches, and knobs to control all the features in the Rover, the interior was a step up in materials and design.

This new Range Rover offered air suspension and a 4.4-liter V8 engine developed by BMW. This power plant produced 282 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic gets the power down to all four wheels.

The interior got even more luxe in 2004, and Land Rover re-introduced the Westminster Edition. The next year Land Rover improved its much-maligned navigation and audio systems and added a four-wheel drive display screen and Bluetooth capability.

In 2006, the Range Rover was offered in HSE and Supercharged trims. The BMW powerplant was replaced by two V8 engines from Jaguar. A 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 produced 305 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque while a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 went bigger at 400 ponies and 420 pound-feet of torque. Both were mated to a six-speed automatic. The exterior got a few tweaks this year, including a reverse camera.

Terrain Response debuted in 2007 along with available ventilated seats. The cabin also got a few upgrades including more storage and fewer buttons. 2008 and 2009 models remained largely unchanged.

2010 saw some significant tech upgrades with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera and a new navigation system. Land Rover also upgraded the V8 engines. Now a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 produced 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque while a supercharged version was good for 501 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. Both got a six-speed automatic transmission.

For the next two years, the Range Rover kept things as-is, preparing for the new 2013 model.

Land Rover Range Rover 2nd generation (1995-2002)

The second-generation Range Rover debuted in Country, SE and Country Classic trims with air suspension and three engine options. Drivers could choose from a 3.9-liter V8, a 4.0-liter V8 or a 4.2-liter V8, all mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The interior featured leather and wood trim, automatic climate control, and heated front seats.

For 1996 the Country trims were dropped in favor of an HSE model with 4.6-liter V8 producing 225 horsepower. New colors were introduced in 1997, but the Range Rover remained essentially the same in 1998.

In 1999 the Rover was offered in 4.0 SE and 4.6 HSE trims. The 4.0-liter V8 pushes out 188 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque while the larger 4.6-liter V8 is good for 222 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. In 2000, these engines were revised a bit to qualify the Range Rover as a low-emissions vehicle.

In 2001 the Range Rover was offered in 4.6 SE and 4.6 HSE trims and got an available navigation system. The Westminster special edition came online for the 2002 model year.

Land Rover Range Rover 1st generation (1987-1994)

Although the Range Rover officially debuted in 1970, it didn’t reach the United States until 1987. Here we have a body-on-frame truck with front and rear solid axles and coil springs, full-time all-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V8 engine producing 150 horsepower.

Later, Land Rover upped the power with a 3.9-liter V8 and 182 horsepower and the first long wheelbase made its way to dealerships in 1993, adding 8 inches to the wheelbase. This model got a 4.2-liter V8 with 200 horsepower under the hood and air suspension.

1994 saw a bit of an interior redo with the addition of a soft touch dash.