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2009 Land Rover Range Rover Performance Review

March 16, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

plenty of grunt
Autoblog

equipped with one of the finest off-road systems ever designed
Kelley Blue Book

mountain goat off-road and carlike on-road
ConsumerGuide

potent V-8 engine
ForbesAutos

The 2009 Land Rover Range Rover lacks nothing in terms of performance for its $70,000 to $84,000 price tag.

The base 2009 Land Rover Range Rover's 4.4-liter cranks out 305 hp—"plenty of grunt" for passing, reports Autoblog. According to AutoWeek, the engine's "power isn't what it needs to be able to carry the vehicle with a load of adults and gear down the highway," and the transmission "kicks down way too much to maintain highway speed." Reviews of the Land Rover Range Rover's performance specs ranged from mildly disapproving to positively glowing. ConsumerGuide says the 2009 Range Rover engine provides "ample power for daily driving," and this is perhaps even truer when it comes to the optional supercharged V-8 model, which puts out 400 hp.

ConsumerGuide also reports that the Land Rover Range Rover's six-speed automatic transmission—the only one offered on all trims—has a manual shift gate for those who must change their own gears.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, both versions of the Range Rover get up to 18 mpg on the highway and 12 mpg in the city.

ConsumerGuide calls the Land Rover Range Rover a "mountain goat off-road and carlike on-road," but cautions that its "tall build contributes to pronounced body lean in corners." As far as braking performance is concerned, this source reports that "stopping performance [is] good for a big SUV." Meanwhile, ForbesAutos tells us that the Land Rover Range Rover's "stiff structure and sophisticated independent air-sprung suspension create taut, sporty handling," comparing favorably with that of actual sportscars. According to Edmunds, the driver is able to electronically "customize powertrain, suspension and electronic systems to best handle various off-road conditions." Kelley Blue Book declares that the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover "is equipped with one of the finest off-road systems ever designed." One of the more interesting features in this regard is the air-spring suspension, which allows the driver to raise the vehicle to increase ground clearance or lower it for stability. It is "devoid of that top-heavy feel you sometimes experience in softly-sprung SUVs."

Conclusion

On- or off-road, the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover is a strong performer.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:plenty of gruntAutoblogequipped with one of the finest off-road systems ever designedKelley Blue Bookmountain goat off-road and carlike on-roadConsumerGuidepotent V-8 engineForbesAutos The 2009 Land Rover Range Rover lacks nothing in terms of performance for its $70,000 to $84,000 price tag. The base 2009 Land Rover Range Rover's 4.4-liter cranks out 305 hp—"plenty of grunt" for passing, reports Autoblog. According to AutoWeek, the engine's "power isn't what it needs to be able to carry the vehicle with a load of adults and gear down the highway," and the transmission "kicks down way too much to maintain highway speed." Reviews of the Land Rover Range Rover's performance specs ranged from mildly disapproving to positively glowing. ConsumerGuide says the 2009 Range Rover engine provides "ample power for daily driving," and this is perhaps even truer when it comes to the optional supercharged V-8 model, which puts out 400 hp. ConsumerGuide also reports that the Land Rover Range Rover's six-speed automatic transmission—the only one offered on all trims—has a manual shift gate for those who must change their own gears. According to FuelEconomy.gov, both versions of the Range Rover get up to 18 mpg on the highway and 12 mpg in the city. ConsumerGuide calls the Land Rover Range Rover a "mountain goat off-road and carlike on-road," but cautions that its "tall build contributes to pronounced body lean in corners." As far as braking performance is concerned, this source reports that "stopping performance [is] good for a big SUV." Meanwhile, ForbesAutos tells us that the Land Rover Range Rover's "stiff structure and sophisticated independent air-sprung suspension create taut, sporty handling," comparing favorably with that of actual sportscars. According to Edmunds, the driver is able to electronically "customize powertrain, suspension and electronic systems to best handle various off-road conditions." Kelley Blue Book declares that the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover "is equipped with one of the finest off-road systems ever designed." One of the more interesting features in this regard is the air-spring suspension, which allows the driver to raise the vehicle to increase ground clearance or lower it for stability. It is "devoid of that top-heavy feel you sometimes experience in softly-sprung SUVs." ConclusionOn- or off-road, the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover is a strong performer. 2009 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER STYLING | [9 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "one of the most handsome interiors ever to grace an SUV" ForbesAutos: "Range Rover brand cachet and luxury " Edmunds: "most elegant and distinctive utility vehicle on the market" With the perfect mix of luxury ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

BMW's X5 has a third-row seat and a V-8 version. The military-spec Mercedes-Benz G-Class is just as upright and can be nearly as plush. The Lexus LX 570 is essentially a trimmed-out Toyota Land Cruiser, and off-road performance is equal, if not superior, to that of the Range Rover—but the LX 570 is a bit more conservative and lacks the personality of the other vehicles. The Cadillac Escalade is more of an on-road vehicle, but it's flashier in an urban (or urbane) way. However, none of the vehicles listed quite match the Range Rover’s savoir faire.

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See the Land Rover Range Rover in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996

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