Land Rover's flagship, ultra-luxury Range Rover goes into its second year after a complete redesign for '03. The Range Rover was designed by BMW, Range Rover's previous owner, as evidenced by the vehicle's feel inside, with a blend of British and German design cues and features. Power is provided by a 282-hp version of BMW's 4.4-liter V-8 engine, strengthened for off-road use. A responsive five-speed automatic does the shifting, while power flows through a continuously adjustable center differential. A sophisticated air suspension automatically adjusts itself for different surfaces, abrupt cornering, or for precarious off-road situations. Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution aid stability both on- and off-road, and Hill Descent Control helps maintain control down steep, loose off-road ventures. Range Rover has a total of eight airbags to protect occupants. Interiors are lavish, with a blend of real wood, leather, and matte-metallic surfaces. The only changes for '04 involve a streamlining of options. There are now only two option packages available. The Heated Accessories Package upgrades to dual-level heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and integrated ski bag, while the Luxury Interior Package adds to the previous package contour memory seats and expanded leather trim. The Range Rover prices above the $70,000 mark, but with all of its luxury, security, and exclusivity, it's worth it.
Discovery
2004 Land Rover Discovery |
New for Land Rover's mid-range SUV this year is a G4 Edition, inspired by the G4 Challenge, an adventurous globe-trekking competition staged by the British division. All Discoverys are powered by a 217-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 engine, through a five-speed automatic transmission and two-speed transfer case. Last year's Discovery was greatly changed underneath, though its outward appearance hasn't changed much in years. The manually locking center differential, formerly an option, is now standard, and an in-dash CD player is now standard on all models. Otherwise, there are a few minor cosmetic and trim changes, and a stylish 'Aero' Roof Rail system is offered. Five-passenger seating is standard, with an option to expand capacity to seven. A DVD player for the back seat is optional, along with Harman/Kardon and Becker navigation system. Discovery models can be luxuriously loaded with options-and a significantly higher sticker price-but the base Discover 'S' offers an especially good value at $34,995.
Freelander
2004 Land Rover Freelander |
Land Rover's compact Freelander SUV offers a surprising value for a vehicle with the prestigious English nameplate. Offered in both three- and five-door versions, the Freelander is powered by a 174-hp, 2.5-liter V-6 engine developed by the Rover group back when Range Rover had British ownership. For 2004, Freelander's five-speed automatic - the only transmission offered - has been recalibrated for smoother shifts. The Freelander's suspension is unusual for an off-roader, and especially for a Range Rover, with struts and coils at all four wheels and sharp rack-and-pinion steering. With this configuration, the Freelander feels at home on the road but still has the capability for off-roading. A permanent all-wheel-drive system is aided by Hill Descent Control, traction control, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. The base Freelander SE starts at under $26,000.
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