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2006 Land Rover Range Rover Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Review
Two new engines update the top-line Land Rover for 2006. Range Rover comes in HSE and new Supercharged trim. Both have five-passenger seating and engines originated at Jaguar, which is owned by Land Rover's parent company, Ford. HSE has a 305-hp V8, replacing a BMW-made 282-hp V8. The Supercharged has a supercharged 400-hp V8. A 6-speed automatic is the sole transmission. Standard equipment includes traction/antiskid control, hill descent control, ABS, and height-adjustable suspension. Front side airbags and front and rear head-protecting tubular side airbags also are included. Added for '06 are DVD entertainment and a standard rearview camera. Voice-activated navigation system, wireless cell phone link, and front and rear obstacle detection also are standard.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Based on mainstream Large SUVs, Premium Large SUVs are really super-sized luxury liners. All are powerful, pricey, and extremely thirsty at the pump.

Our Best Buys is Toyota Land Cruiser. Our Recommended pick is Cadillac Escalade.
News
Sources see no major near-term changes for Range Rover. The current design is now five years old, and past Land Rover practice suggests a replacement isn't due for another three years at least.
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Road Test
Pros Cons
Ride Fuel economy
Passenger and cargo room
Build quality
Interior materials
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

HSE Supercharged Class Average
5 7 5.1

All Range Rovers are heavyweights, but HSE has ample power for daily driving. Supercharged markedly stronger in all situations. Land Rover quotes 0-60-mph times of 8.3 sec for HSE, 7.1 sec for Supercharged. In both, transmission's sport mode provides noticeably quicker downshifts.
Fuel Economy

HSE Supercharged Class Average
3 3 2.1

No opportunity to measure with HSE. Test Supercharged averaged 15.6 mpg. Both Range Rovers require premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality

HSE Supercharged Class Average
7 7 5.8

Taut, but almost luxury-sedan composed on smooth surfaces, with little tire thump on expansion joints. Air suspension can't quite keep up with some pavement undulations, however, resulting in minor but annoying vertical jitters or side-to-side rocking. Little ride penalty with Supercharged's 20-inch tires.
Steering/Handling/Braking

HSE Supercharged Class Average
5 6 3.4

A mountain goat off-road and carlike on-road. Impressive grip, but tall build contributes to pronounced lean in corners. Supercharged leans less, feels more nimble than HSE. Steering light at low speeds, with numb on-center feel at high speeds. Compact-for-class turning circle a parking lot convenience. Stopping performance good for a big SUV, especially with Supercharged's Brembo brakes.
Quietness

HSE Supercharged Class Average
8 8 6.1

Rivaled only by Lexus LX 470 for overall refinement in an SUV. Noticeable whine from engine compartment during fast acceleration in Supercharged. Tire noise generally low. Wind rush nicely quelled.
Controls

HSE Supercharged Class Average
7 7 5.8

Most controls handy, but orientation to the daunting array of switches and knobs takes time. Silken switchgear movement, top-grade leather, and real wood add to opulent feel. Instrument panel features graphic display of front-wheel angle--handy when off-road.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

HSE Supercharged Class Average
9 9 8.1

Generous head and leg room. Tall driving position. Seats comfortably supportive, but lack side support, allowing occupants to slide around in fast cornering or at steep off-road angles. View aft and to sides blocked by thick headrests and roof pillars, making standard obstacle detection helpful. Step-in a little steep for shorter people.
Room/Comfort (rear)

HSE Supercharged Class Average
7 7 7.2

Theater-style seating means only adequate six-footer head room. Ample leg space, but cushion a bit short for best leg support. Narrow thresholds combine with tall ride height for awkward entry/exit.
Cargo Room

HSE Supercharged Class Average
8 8 8

Maximum volume among tightest of premium SUVs, but ample room for most needs behind rear seat. Load deck relatively high, but cleverly designed combination liftgate/tailgate adds to convenience. Accordion-fold hard cargo cover awkward to remove/install. Small glovebox, but adequate small-item storage elsewhere.
Value within Class

HSE Supercharged Class Average
4 4 4.9

Range Rover stands out among premium SUVs for its balance of on-road manners, off-road ability, and high-class accommodations. The updates for '06 polish its upper-crust credentials, while the Supercharged model adds real muscle--for a hefty price premium. There are less-expensive alternatives that offer similar performance, but for Range Rover's well-heeled buyers, little else will do.
Total Score

HSE Supercharged Class Average
63 66 56.5
Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score
41
Average Score
56
High Score
66
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/26/2006
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
HSE 4-door wagon $75,035 $68,282 $715
Supercharged 4-door wagon $90,035 $81,932 $715
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
HSE
Powertrain
4.4-liter V8 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip center differential, front and rear traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, front and rear side head-protecting airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, hill descent control, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor, front- and rear-obstacle-detection system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), interior air filter, power steering, power tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), leather upholstery, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, 12-way power driver seat, 10-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, Harman/Kardon AM/FM/cassette, 6-disc CD changer, analog clock, tachometer, navigation system w/voice activation, rearview camera, wireless cell phone link, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, heated front windshield, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, cargo cover, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, front and rear fog lights, bi-xenon headlights w/washers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Class III trailer-hitch receiver and wiring harness, height-adjustable and load-leveling suspension, full-size spare tire, 255/55HR19 tires, alloy wheels.
Supercharged adds to HSE:
Powertrain
4.2-liter supercharged V8 engine.
Safety
Uprated brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, 16-way power front seats, ski sack, automatic day/night rearview mirrors.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Steering-linked adaptive headlights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Sport suspension, 255/50HR20 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Heated Accessories Pkg.
HSE
$1,300
$1,183
Heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, ski sack.
Luxury Interior Pkg.
HSE
$5,000
$4,550
Heated Accessories Pkg. plus 16-way power contour front seats, upgraded interior trim, automatic day/night outside mirrors, cargo net, steering-linked adaptive headlights. Std. Supercharged.
Comfort and Convenience Features
DVD entertainment system
HSE, Supercharged
$2,500
$2,275
Satellite radio
HSE, Supercharged
$400
$364
Requires monthly fee.
Special wood interior trim
HSE, Supercharged
$0
$0
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
255/50HR20 all-terrain tires
HSE
$4,000
$3,640
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Land Rover Range Rover 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 113.3
Overall Length, in. 195.7
Overall Width, in. 86.3
Overall Height, in. 75.0
Curb Weight, lbs. 5474
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 74.9
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 27.6
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 40.2
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 38.9
Rear Head Room, in. 38.3
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 35.5
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc V8 Supercharged dohc V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 4.4 /268 4.2 /256
Horsepower @ rpm. 305 @ 5750 400 @ 5750
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 325 @ 4000 420 @ 3500
Availability Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
   
6-speed automatic 14/18 13/18
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Land Rover Range Rover 4-door wagon
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain None/-- --
Bumper-to-bumper 4/50,000 --
Corrosion 6/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 4/50,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance 4/50,000 LR3 and Range Rover only.
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: England
Drivewheels: all-wheel drive
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