SUV Image/Practicality
Today's burgeoning market for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) is based partly on image, partly on practicality. Many buyers are attracted by the image of being able to go "anywhere", an aggressive looking stance, or merely the confidence of all-weather security. The practicality of a vehicle that combines the functions of car, minivan and truck, with enough carrying capacity for most needs and car-like appointments is also a powerful draw. The other aspect of practicality applies only to the small proportion of buyers who actually go off road; the SUV's four wheel drive, high clearance, truck-like strength and other four wheeling attributes are, for this small subgroup, essential.
To gain a share of the SUV market, almost every auto manufacturer has fielded one or more contestants, and the offerings of different makers address the market in different ways, focusing on different aspects of the SUV allure.
The Urban Family Haulers
A second category
of SUV
manufacturers
(Land
Rover, Jeep and Toyota -- lately joined byGM's Hummer division), design
their SUVs with real off road
capability
as a priority. These marques have long traditions of building true
all-terrain
utility, military and expedition vehicles. Jeep and Toyota are
high
volume brands which necessarily lean towards car-like design and
performance
at the expense of ultimate off-road ability (although some new models
such
as the Jeep Wrangler TJ and JK Rubicon models show a commitment to
improving off-road
performance
over previous versions).
With the possible exception of Hummer, Land Rover is the only member of this group that is a true specialty off-road vehicle manufacturer -- the only one that makes no two wheel drive models. It is the one player which places off-road ability first and foremost in its vehicle designs. An interesting indicator of its commitment is the fact that it is the only SUV manufacturer to offer a winch as an option on its vehicles. The company's position at the top end of the off-road ability spectrum is its selling point, and the thing that sets it apart from the competition. More owners of Land Rovers than of any other marque actually use their vehicles off road. (For an even more specialized Land Rover-based off-road vehicle, not so far available in the US, see the Foers Ibex). If its off road superiority were to be lost, its customers would have no reason to choose it over the products of other manufacturers who are far more experienced in low cost volume production, ergonomic design, pavement performance and quality control.
The Range Rover Advantage
If Land Rover is the most serious off-road manufacturer, the Range
Rover
is the king of off road vehicles, period. Its attraction lies in
its effortless superiority over competitors in off-road performance,
while
providing a level of sophistication and comfort expected from a luxury
sedan. It even shines over the other Land Rover models except for
circumstances
when mud tires or additional ground clearance of a Defender 90
are
needed. (In a recent side by side "off-road only" comparison test with
a Land Rover Defender (LROI
magazine,
July 2002), the new MkIII Range Rover came
out
on top). Land Rover correctly describes the Range Rover's uniqueness as
its "breadth of ability" compared to any other vehicle on earth.
In test after comparison test, the Range Rover's off-road supremacy
is consistently acknowledged, even though the testers sometimes prefer
a different contestant for reasons of price, acceleration, luggage
capacity
or other criteria. The combination of excellent on-road ability with
awesome off road prowess is the Range Rover's selling point. Those who
buy a Range Rover do so because they feel
the extra off-road ability is worth the cost, even if they may seldom
use
it. The image of off-road supremacy is based on fact; otherwise, buyers
would switch to Lexus or Mercedes models which offer equal luxury and
more
practicality at a lower price.
Of course! Seriously though, if you are the type who is motivated by Consumer Reports criteria such as price, annual running costs, repair records, practicality as a family hauler, fuel economy, etc, one of the many alternative choices will suit you better. If you really don't need awesome off road ability, and cannot put up with the higher than average rate of niggling problems, you may be happier with one of the more "practical" SUVs mentioned above.
That said, in spite of the less than stellar record on build quality problems, Consumer Reports rates Range Rovers very highly in Owner Satisfaction -- presumably due to their class and innate superiority over lesser 4X4s! So if you want the best off-road vehicle in the world, you should definitely buy one!! Even if you never use its awesome capabilities, it's nice to know they are there -- and that you could run circles around the neighbor's Eddie Bauer Explorer if it came to an off-road crunch! Meanwhile, you can enjoy an unequalled level of luxury and comfort as you glide past the lesser SUVs on the freeway.
If you are thinking of buying used, check out the page on Buying
a Used Range Rover for hints on what to look for. If you are not an
expert mechanic and computer whiz, you should also check out the page
on
extended
warranties.
Introduction to Range Rovers
Buying New or Used Range Rovers
Using a Buyer's Broker
Used Range Rover Listings
Model Year Details
One
Owner's Experience