Range Rover

Is this the world's ultimate 4x4? With a peerless image, good looks, plus on and off-road ability to embarrass many rivals, the Range Rover astounded all who drove it on its 2002 launch. While the car was developed under BMW, Ford owned the firm by the time it arrived - yet the Rangie had not lost its British ancestry.
Two superb BMW-supplied engines were offered. The gutsy 4.4-litre V8 was a treat, but thirsty, which made the 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel the bigger seller and slower to depreciate.
A fabulous interior offers room for five, and the new model is vastly more reliable than its predecessor. And with early Td6s dipping below £35,000 - £10,000 less than an identical new car - the Range Rover is slowly becoming more affordable. A tasty alternative if you can't wait for a new BMW X5!
Checklist
1. Steering: sometimes vibrations can be felt through the steering wheel. Reasons for this include worn tyres, a faulty valve in the steering box or even engine idle speed.
2. Engine: intercooler hoses on diesels can work loose, causing power losses. The on-board computer sometimes displays spurious 'low coolant level' messages - Land Rover dealers have been advised and can rectify the problem.
3. Lights: the computer-controlled auto levelling system for the xenon lights can go awry - a 'patch' is available from agents to fix this.
4. Transmission: misaligned driveshafts can cause front differential failure in early models, leading to total loss of drive. Repair will still be covered by the three-year warranty.
5. Brakes: ABS sensors can become dislodged when driving in rough conditions. Car goes into 'limp home' mode, limiting speed to a crawl. Requires a dealer visit.
Driving impressions
The Range Rover is simply enormous, which gives a lofty view over traffic. Its dashboard is striking to look at, and the computer-controlled air-suspension is very good, stiffening during cornering. However, this tall, heavy vehicle is never going to imitate a sports car.
While the V8 petrol engine offers speed, it needs working hard, denting the poor fuel economy further. Many prefer the six-cylinder diesel's superior torque, even though it doesn't provide as much pace. The biggest worry when driving the Range Rover is positioning it - you can never escape this 4x4's sheer size, particularly when parking.
Glass's View
Still considered to be one of the ultimate status symbols, the Range Rover is perceived as having more cachet than rivals such as the BMW X5 and the Mercedes M-Class. That makes the car a fairly safe investment compared to other 4x4s, with relatively low depreciation and plenty of demand. But there are some models you'll struggle to sell. The entry-level SE isn't popular, and the whole range is colour sensitive - metallic grey and silver are easiest to shift. Jeff Paterson, senior editor, Glass's Guide
Life With A Range Rover
The Range Rover is truly marvellous, but it costs an arm and two legs to run. My V8 Vogue still hasn't topped 20mpg, although it's the most luxurious car I've had - and I've owned a Bentley and three Jaguars.
Michael Morse, Kensington, London
The air-suspension is ideal for towing - you forget you are pulling a trailer. The diesel has plenty of power, but it's not as economical as I'd like. Andrew Redfearn, Keswick, Cumbria

Verdict

It looks similar to its predecessor, but this Range Rover is all-new. A monocoque chassis replaces the ladder frame - making it stiffer - and both engines are sourced from BMW. The V8 goes like a train, while the 3.0-litre diesel is fine, without being sensational - but fuel consumption on both models is poor. Steering feel is surprising, with a firm and immediate response, while the beautifully crafted interior has the ambience to pitch the Rangie against a Bentley.