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Freelander (1997-2006) £400-£5500
It’s also a notable classic in its own way, as it heralded the start of the company’s modern era. It has its issues, though. The viscous coupling is expensive to replace and can be upset simply by running mismatched tyres.
The 1.8 petrol used to be notorious for head gasket failures. Today’s replacements are much
Freelander 2 (2006-2015) £2000-£17,500
more robust, but a late diesel is your best bet. Even these can go calamitously wrong, though. This was a more complex car than it needed to be, and buying one for sweeties now doesn’t change that.
Pros: Cheap to buy, no big rust issues, surprisingly able off-road Cons: All sorts of things can go wrong, some very expensively
Range Rover Classic (1970-96) £4000-£275,000
are people who do just that, preferring to invest new-car money in a restoration than spending it on a current model.
The Freelander 2 was a massive improvement on the model it replaced. It’s a refined and affordable SUV with a strong engine, good equipment and a decent level of practicality.
It’s become one of the most reliable Land Rovers out there, too. But do be aware of the rear diff and Haldex unit for costly outlays.
The 2.2-litre diesel engine is a strong performer, though for a bargain search out one with the unpopular 3.2 petrol unit. Either way, it’s a fine SUV to drive. Prices have fallen since the production ended, too – £10,000 now gets you one worth having.
Pros: Reliability, refinement, economy of diesel engine Cons: Transmissions can wear quickly if used for towing
Range Rover (1994-2002) £1000-£28,000
The original Rangey is a classic you can use everyday – and there
It’s a smart policy, too. An early two-door can cost mega money, but any Classic will appreciate in value if kept in good condition –and sought-after rarities like the CSK and LSE can be a gold mine.
An awful lot of Rangeys have been neglected and/or abused, and you can still buy they cheap. But if you’ve got the skills, and access to parts, restoring one would be the ultimate hobby that pays.
Pros: Most usable classic Land Rover, V8 power, ride quality Cons: Rust, availability of parts for early models
A Mk2 Rangey in good working order is still a sensational car to own, even today. The problem is that they’re very complex and very, very good at going wrong.
Air suspension failure is the norm. Head gaskets can let go. Electronics are laughably flaky. And parts can cost the earth – as will the labour bills. Perhaps worst of all, nowadays it’s very hard to find one you can be sure hasn’t spent at least part of its life being worked on by idiots
Still, you’ll get a classy motor with proper off-road and towing skills. It’s becoming a classic, too, and prices are still tiny considering everything you get.
Pros: Luxury, price, a Land Rover that doesn’t rust
Cons: Electrics. Be very afraid
The Mk3 Range Rover hit new heights of luxury and was more re- liable than the P38. It’ll still cost a lot to run, however, and drivetrain faults and underbody corrosion are not unknown.
The TDV8 engine is sublime, but you’ll pay more to get one –especially the 4.4, though the 3.6 has all the power you need. The V8 petrol, on the other hand, is temptingly cheap. Guess why…
This isn’t a DIY motor, but it certainly is a Range Rover, with brilliant off-road and towing skills. It relies a lot on electronics, but they work wonders – and the deepdown engineering is very robust.
Pros: Great off-road, luxury, image, TDV8 powerplants
Cons: Very complex. Huge running costs
The current Range Rover is a majestic 4x4. All the engines in the range supply copious amounts of power, and its road manners are absolutely impeccable.
It’s startlingly capable off-road, too, even if getting one muddy would feel like bad form. Most that leave the tarmac probably do so only when their owners are in the mood to blow some grouse out of the sky.
Inside, the Range Rover’s cabin is superb, with sumptuous trim and cutting-edge equipment. Prices are, of course, as immense as the vehicle itself. But if you can afford it, so too is the presence a Rangey will give you.
Pros: Class, luxury, engines, vast all-round capability
Cons: Price
Range Rover Sport (2005-2013) £9500-£20,000
to greater extremes than ever, with lavish equipment and endless opportunities for personalisation.
It’s a supreme lifestyle wagon for the rich: to many of Land Rover’s traditional fans, on the other hand, it’s the supreme irrelevance.
If you can afford one, few cars could be as pleasing. However if you can afford one and you love
Land Rovers, you’re likely to be thinking about how many real ones you could buy with this sort of money. It wouldn’t make a bad way to tow your collection about the place, though…
Pros: Immense prestige, and sublime both to be in and drive Cons: To at least 99% of people it’s utterly divorced from reality
Range Rover Sport (2013-22) £19,500-£140,000
the original, meaning it’s almost economical to run. It feels really nimble and agile on the road, too, and it comes with a range of engines giving it a brisk turn of pace.
Some won’t like the flamboyant posture, while others will love it. Either way, inside the cabin it’s very nearly as luxurious as the full-fat Range Rover.
The only stumbling block with such a fine motor is going to be how to pay for it. Depreciation has started to bring down the purchase price – though you’ll never run one on a shoestring.
Pros: Performance, refinement, glorious interior
Cons: Marmite image. Pricey to buy and run
Range Rover Evoque (2011-19) £7500-£41,000
the masses. Given that it was the company’s fastest-selling vehicle, they clearly hit the brief, even if it wasn’t for the traditional Land Rover owner.
It’s actually still a capable thing off-tarmac – but it’s definitely more at home on the road.
because there are so many out there, used prices are tempting. There’s a Convertible model, too, as well as three and five-door tin-tops. We say stick to the latter, and be sure to get one with 4WD.
Pros: Economy, handling, iconic concept-car image
Hilariously, this is what counts as the affordable way in to owning a a supreme off-roader as well as being a funky road ride. It doesn’t handle like a sports car, but is agile enough for an SUV.
A Discovery of the same era is far more practical, however, while a full-fat Rangey has more class.
The Sport is still a massively able tow barge, though, in addition to all its other virtues.
You’re looking at a car which many people associate with rich chavs and criminals, however. And being based on the Discovery 3, it can’t help but share that vehicle’s reputation as a money pit.
Pros: Decent performance and all-round dynamics
Cons: A Disco 3 is more usable. Expect horrific running costs new Range Rover. The Sport is less about being chauffeur driven and more about lording it over other aspirational school runners, but once again it’ll be lovely to drive.
Like the full fat Range Rover (a phrase which has never felt more appropriate), the Sport is available with an old-school V8 engine that gives you racecar performance in return for NASA-level emissions. Most UK customers with opt for an altogether healthier plug-in hybrid, but they’ll still get a vehicle that’s brutally fast a well as being able to do the normal Range Rover stuff.
Evoque has adopted a similiar back end to the larger Velar. It’s not just the exterior that mimics the looks of the larger vehicle, however, as the Evoque has gained the latest Touch Pro Duo tech and a hike in quality.
Pros: Smooth, refined, comfy… and game for a laugh, too Cons: Still hasn’t quite shed its proceeds-of-crime image hybrids, available with diesel and petrol engines combining to an electric motor. Only the base D150 Evoque escapes the electrification, and we’d avoid it as it doesn’t have four-wheel drive.
Pros: Feels like a proper Range Rover inside
When the Evoque was launched, it signalled JLR’s intent on hitting
Nevertheless, it is economical by Land Rover standards and
Cons: Cramped rear seats, not as practical as a Disco Sport
Most Range Rovers all look the same at the front now, but the new
The main highlight of the new Evoque is the fact the majority of the range is made up of mild
Cons: Petrol engine is poor on fuel economy, even as a hybrid