Sixty years of Land Rover

For Land Rover, 4x4 = 60! The brand marks its 60th birthday this year, and to celebrate we’ve assembled some of its most influential cars to pick our favourite.

So, where do you start with such a legendary line-up to choose from? The original Series I was first on our list –without it, the firm wouldn’t exist. And we couldn’t ignore the Series III, either. Ask most people to think of a Land Rover, and this would spring to mind. No line-up would be complete without a Defender 90, or a Range Rover. The original three-door version of the latter had a basic hose-clean interior, but it became the world’s first luxury SUV – and our Classic model is the pinnacle of the MkI’s development.

To see how far the premium 4x4 has moved on, we’ve included the latest car. Also in our group is the original Discovery, which filled the gap between the utilitarian Land Rover and luxurious Range Rover in 1989. Last is a Freelander 2. The original invented the compact SUV, and the latest model now tops the class. It’s this newest machine we start with, before heading back in time in our unique shoot-out.

And where better to test and then select the best-ever Land Rover than Eastnor Castle? The Herefordshire estate has been used as a proving ground since the firm’s very first model, so it’s the perfect venue.

Verdict

After testing our Land Rovers at Eastnor, it came down to a three-way fight. The Series I has a unique place in the firm’s history. Its simplicity and rawness are charming, but we all need our creature comforts.

The Range Rover takes some beating, yet new it’s only within reach of a lucky few, so it’s ruled out, too.

That left the Defender as our winner. Thanks to a new engine and improved cabin, it remains a lovable workhorse. If you disagree with our verdict, you can try most of these vehicles for yourself at the Heritage Driving experience in Solihull – although the 1.8 million people who have bought a Defender can’t all be wrong…