Major Options:  Rear Differential Lock, Luxury Interior Package (14-way adjustable power driver and front passenger seats, upgraded leather on seats, door pulls, upper dashboard and cubby box, additional center console wood trim, heated and cooled front seats, removable luggage net, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, adaptive front lighting system), Rear Seat Entertainment (six disc DVD system with dual headrest display and remote control)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  12.33 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Chuck Giametta (6) There will always be a more sensible alternative to an $85,000 vehicle. The Range Rover HSE's closest competitors in terms of prestige and quality execution, the Audi Q7 and maybe the Mercedes-Benz R500, are better values, if quite expensive themselves. But if $85,000 is what the market says it requires to obtain this level of character, refinement, and useful performance on- and off-road, I won't argue. Even though this basic design still has BMW roots, the presence of the Jaguar engine somehow makes it all feel more cohesively British. Much of what you are paying for in this realm is individuality, and, if you're lucky, a sense of traditon. On that basis, the Range Rover HSE delivers in spades.

Ed Piotrowski For $20,000 less than the asking price of a Range Rover HSE, you can get into an Audi Q7, Cadillac Escalade, or Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. You'll get more passenger and cargo room, and in most cases more power and better fuel economy. These brands also have better reputations for resale value and not needing a frequent guest pass to the service department. Unless you want to go off-roading in style or covet the cachet of the Rover name, shop elsewhere to get your premium large SUV fix.

John Biel No doubt about it, the Range Rover is an expensive vehicle. But there's no denying that it delivers great comfort and capability. On-road performance is good, too, even with the nonsupercharged engine. The question for the well-heeled SUV buyer is if it's really worth the considerable premium asked for compared to its competition.