2003-2008 Land Rover Range Rover: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Land Rover replaced its aging luxury flagship sport-utility vehicle for 2003 with a redesigned Range Rover that was larger, more powerful, and more technically sophisticated. Offered in a single HSE model, it marked only the third redesign in Range Rover's 31-year history. Furthermore, this was the first with unibody construction and all-independent suspension. Wheelbase grew by 5.3 inches, and overall length by 9.2 inches. Curb weight rose 400 pounds. Intended to compete with both luxury sedans and high-end SUVs, the newly styled five-passenger Range Rover was developed largely under BMW, which sold Land Rover to Ford in 2000. Several features mimicked those of BMW's own X5 4.4i. Chief among them were a modified version of BMW's V8 engine, with 68 horsepower more than the previous Land Rover 4.6 V8. A five-speed automatic transmission with a separate gate for manual shifting replaced the four-speed unit. An traction/antiskid control was standard, as was Land Rover's hill descent control that limited speeds going downhill, but now in reverse as well as forward. Every Range Rover had all-wheel drive with low-range gearing that could be accessed "on the fly" at low speeds. Standard antilock four-wheel disc brakes featured full-power emergency assist. The standard height-adjusting air-spring suspension adjusted from low entry/exit to high off-road modes. Front torso side airbags were included, along with BMW's front/rear head-protecting tubular side airbags. Rear torso airbags were unavailable. Retained was a two-piece clamshell tailgate, but standard 19-inch alloy wheels replaced 18s. Additional standard equipment included a front/rear-obstacle warning, navigation system, and a 60/40 split rear bench seat. Headlights, the windshield, and wiper/washers were electrically heated. Heated front/rear seats and steering wheel were optional. Added in mid-September 2002 to the standard xenon low-beam headlights were xenon high beams. Rivals included the Lexus LX 470, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Toyota Land Cruiser, as well as the Cadillac Escalade and Infiniti QX56.