2005 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle Reviews & Ratings

The Range Rover features a spacious, well-appointed interior. Longtime admirers will not be surprised by a host of luxurious amenities, but loyalists may be surprised by the austere, straight lines of this latest design. The interior is not gratuitously ornate, but chiseled and architectural. Still, the atmosphere is light and airy, with styling cues coming from ocean-going yachts and first-class jetliner seating, as well as fine furniture and jewelry. Four standard interior color schemes are offered: Aspen/Ivory, Jet/Charcoal, Navy/Parchment, and Jet/Sand. All include contrasting piping on the seats, and a choice of traditional walnut burl trim or avant-garde cherry. The rich wood and leather combinations make for lovely interiors.

Range Rovers have long been known for sophisticated interiors, including a wide array of convenience and entertainment features. As new systems were added, the wiring harness became thicker and integration became more difficult. The 2005 Range Rover addresses that need, and is now wired with a new fiber-optic harness that replaces the prior copper-wiring network. The new harness better connects a variety of systems that need to communicate on an instantaneous basis; the GPS navigation has to work with the security system, the car telephone has to work with the entertainment system so it will mute when a call is received, voice activation and hands-free speakerphones require a microphone, and a display is needed for navigation and DVD playback, among other things. The effect of the new wiring is to integrate the electronic systems (GPS navigation, audio, and telecommunications, for example) into one system.

There is new hardware as well. Prior models used an LCD screen, which has been replaced by a VGA screen with 3.5 times higher resolution. A new DVD-based navigation system is state of the art. It is now voice-activated, with a single DVD mapping the entire continental United States. There is an off-road mode that can guide to destination, and also track where you have been, to make it easy to return to your start point.

In addition to the usual trip computer functions such as fuel consumption, range, speed and the like, the new Range Rover has a 4x4 driver interface that shows what the wheels and suspension are doing and direction of travel. Drivers can see front wheel position when slogging through muddy ruts without getting out of the car.

The premium Harman/Kardon surround-sound system boasts 710 watts and 14 speakers. It can be controlled by voice command, steering wheel controls, or the touch screen. The telephone system integrates the owner's mobile phone with the car, allowing hands-free operation and voice commands, either by placing it in a cradle or wirelessly using the Bluetooth technology.

There is more head- and legroom than in earlier models. Seats are big and comfortable, firm and supportive, with adequate side bolstering and lumbar support. Headrests are comfortable. Rear seats are also very comfortable and supportive with lots of room and split powered backrests. Four cup holders are adjustable and accommodate many different sizes of bottles and cans.

Carrying a lot of gear is no problem. The Range Rover's tailgate was designed to support the weight of two adults, making this a perfect vehicle for tailgate parties, or for pulling on a set of waders, or for a quick picnic lunch, or any of those other times you might want a tailgate, often good, memorable times. The cargo area is longer and taller than in earlier models. The rear seats are split 60/40 for versatility when moving cargo and people. Luggage hooks on the floor of the cargo area are designed to keep items secure. The full-size spare tire is stored in a well under the cargo floor.

In the Westminster edition, the power driver's seat adjusts 16 ways; the front passenger's seat 12 ways. Both front and rear seats have two-level electric heating; even the steering wheel is electrically warmed. Interior leather is Jet Black, matching the pearlescent black exterior. The wood trim is grand piano-grade ebony. The only things on the Westminster that aren't Jet Black are the headliner and grab handles, which are ivory. It's a beautiful interior.

Safety equipment in all Range Rovers is comprehensive. Eight airbags come standard: front, side, and head airbags for driver and front-seat passenger, as well as head airbags for rear outboard passengers. Security is also a high priority, which means deadlocks and an ultrasonic alarm system. A panic button activates locks for extra security against attacks.

The Range Rover builds on its legendary off-road capability, but with vastly improved road handling over the previous-generation models. It doesn't lean nearly as much in corners. The Range Rover felt poised on a 200-mile trek down narrow, winding lanes in Scotland, dodging and darting with the utmost steadiness. Back in the U.S., it handled the bumpy, crowded freeways of Los Angeles exceedingly well, ensconcing us in a richly appointed cocoon that gave us a sense of security on the mean streets. The ride on L.A.'s rippled freeways was smooth and comfortable.

The Range Rover's superb balance of ride and handling are the result of a highly refined and interconnected air suspension that allows softer spring rates for enhanced comfort. The system also allows the driver to manually lower the ride height, making it easier for passengers to get in and out, a nice feature for shorter, older passengers. An Access setting can be pre-selected so the body lowers to the desired height as the Range Rover rolls to a stop; this is more convenient and less annoying than the old system, which required pressing the button after you put it in Park then waiting for it to lower; passengers seldom had the patience to wait for it to do its thing and it would stop lowering the moment your impatient passenger opened the door. The new one solves this.

BMW's smooth and powerful 4.4-liter V8 delivers far greater power than the old 4.6-liter Rover engine. Output has been increased to 282 horsepower at 5400 rpm. Torque is 325 pounds-feet at 3600 rpm. Range Rover can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9 seconds, which isn't particularly quick but seems quick enough. Top speed is electronically limited to 122 mph. The BMW engine is cleaner and gets better fuel efficiency with an EPA-estimated 12/17 mpg City/Highway.

The V8 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission featuring CommandShift, one of the newest manual override systems in the luxury market. In the Range Rover, CommandShift can operate in both the high and low ranges of the transfer case for use on or off road.

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are backed by Emergency Brake Assist, which applies full braking force in a panic stop even if the driver mistakenly relaxes brake pedal pressure, and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which helps reduce stopping distances by balancing braking forces front to rear.

The Range Rover is also equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), which helps drivers stay on their intended course by preventing a skid. This electronic stability control system helps maintain vehicle stability at the limits of tire adhesion via a combination of yaw rate sensors, the antilock brake system, and the traction control system. When required, the system applies the brakes at one or more wheels to correct excessive yaw. For example, if the rear tires lose grip in a corner, a situation called oversteer can occur that can ultimately lead to spinning off the road; the system senses this happening and applies the brake on the outside front wheel to rotate the vehicle back onto the desired path. The driver need only steer where he or she wants to go.

Yet, while it's clear that the biggest improvement over pre-2003 models has been made in on-road handling, the Range Rover's off-road prowess has been significantly upgraded as well. We first discovered this on some of Scotland's rugged off-road tracks. We put it to a more thorough test at the excellent Land Rover Driving School at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Range Rover easily slogged up steep, muddy tracks most drivers would never attempt. Even more impressive was its ability to creep down steep, muddy terrain that would have left lesser vehicles parked against a tree. Its suspension articulation and impressive technology made driving over rugged terrain easy, smooth and comfortable with little of the head toss you get in most off-road vehicles. It's pretty clear that the Range Rover can go anywhere.

Increased ground clearance (11.1 inches), a sharper angle of approach (32 degrees), and a much stiffer chassis made negotiating Scotland's muddy, rutted backcountry a breeze. The latest Range Rover boasts the slowest low-range crawl speed in the industry: just 2.4 mph at 1000 rpm, good for traversing the world's worst terrain. Its gearing is the lowest in its class.

The transfer case can be switched between low and high range on the fly, at speeds up to 30 mph, eliminating the need to stop in the middle of a mud bog to change gearing. Additionally, advanced electronics provide for a dual-range throttle with on- and off-road calibrations. That makes for quicker throttle response on the road, while allowing precise throttle adjustments in extreme off-road situations.

Trails can be negotiated with more confidence thanks to an undercarriage protection system that includes a plastic skid shield and Kevlar engine protection. Off-road traction control allows drivers to tread lightly by minimizing wheel spin, and therefore trail damage, while off the beaten path.

Towing capability also commands respect. The Range Rover can tow a two-horse trailer or a large powerboat: up to 7700 pounds, with a 550-pound tongue weight.

The Range Rover is powered by a 282-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It features a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and Torsen center differential, all-terrain traction and stability control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

Standard amenities on the Range Rover HSE ($73,750) include three-zone climate control, a 10-way power driver's seat, GPS navigation, and a Harman/Kardon digital surround-sound system with six-disc CD changer and a hidden cassette player. Nine exterior colors are available to choose from including the new Tonga Green.

Options are limited. The Heated Accessories Package ($1300) includes dual-level heated front and rear seats; a heated, multi-function, leather-wrapped steering wheel; and an integrated ski bag. The Luxury Interior Package ($5,000) includes everything in the Heated Accessories Package, plus Contour seats with 16-way adjustment and memory for the driver. The package also includes upgraded leather on the seats, dashboard door pulls, center console lid, and luggage net. Seven-spoke, 20-inch alloy wheels with a full-size spare are available on the HSE ($4000).

The limited-edition Westminster ($86,000) includes everything in the Luxury Interior package, plus Rain Sensor automatic windshield wipers, unique Java Black pearlescent paint, a Jet Black interior with Ivory accents, and 20-inch bright-finish aluminum wheels shod with 255/50 V-rated all-terrain tires. About 300 will be built.