Are Range Rovers Good Cars? Evaluating Performance, Reliability, and Comfort

If you're in the market for a new luxury SUV, you may be wondering whether a Range Rover is a good purchase.

Generally speaking, Land Rover has a terrible reputation regarding reliability, but with the right maintenance, a Range Rover can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles (roughly ten to 13 years).

That said, they are notoriously costly to maintain, which is a key consideration before deciding to purchase this Land Rover car.

In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of different Range Rovers and whether they're worth your money.

How Long Do Range Rovers Last?

With proper maintenance, conservative driving, and regular servicing, Land Rover Range Rovers can last from 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

If you consider that 15,000 miles per year is deemed standard mileage, the average lifespan of Range Rover models is between ten and 13 years.

However, Land Rover reliability and longevity have been questioned for years, despite the fact this brand makes high-performing off-roaders that are also capable of long-distance driving.

Overall, your Range Rover's lifespan will depend on how you look after it, your driving style, and whether you're ready to foot some pretty hefty maintenance costs if you're looking to take any Land Rover model over 200,000 miles.

Range Rover Life Expectancy?

No matter which Range Rover model you purchase, it should last between 150,000 and 200,000 models, thanks to modern technology and Land Rover's design and build quality.

Depending on your average yearly mileage, the SUV should live for ten to 13 years.

Land Rover owners can improve the longevity of their Range Rover by:

• conducting regular engine oil changes and tire rotations.
• attending regular services.
• changing engine filters when necessary.
• using high-quality oil, fuel, and components.
• driving conservatively.
• checking fluid levels consistently.
• fixing issues as soon as they arise.

Are Range Rovers A Reliable Car?

Consumer reports have shown plenty of sub-par reliability ratings, scoring the 2021 Range Rover a mere one out of five for their predicted reliability.

And the Land Rover brand as a whole has garnered a reputation for poor reliability stemming from electrical system faults, build quality issues, and mechanical problems.

Unfortunately, Land Rovers aren't the most reliable.

But provided you're willing to cover the high Range Rover costs and keep up with maintenance, they can last a while on the road.

The Most Reliable Land Rovers

Dependability and Land Rover don't always appear in the same sentence, but a few models have a higher reliability score than others.

We considered the JD Power Quality and Reliability Ratings and Edmunds True Cost to Own Estimates to determine the overall reliability of specific Land Rover models.

Range Rover

With every newer model, the Land Rover Range Rover becomes even more luxurious.

But the 2021 model has proven to be the brand's most dependable release yet boasting a plethora of interior and exterior options for supreme customization.

Range Rover Sport

The Range Rover Sport boasts gorgeous styling and a powerful engine, taking second place on Land Rover's dependability list.

However, it's more likely to need major repairs during its lifetime than its non-sport counterpart.

Although the maintenance costs are average.

Land Rover Defender

While not a Range Rover, the Defender tackles rough terrain like no other SUV.

It's the third most reliable vehicle from Land Rover.

The Least Reliable Land Rovers

Be wary of purchasing these two notably unreliable Land Rovers:

Range Rover Evoque

As per consumer reports, the Range Rover Evoque takes the bottom spot of luxury SUV rankings.

Obtaining a mere one out of five stars for reliability and repair costs, the frequency of repairs is higher than the industry average.

That said, the severity of these Range Rover Evoque repairs is likely lower.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Land Rover Discovery Sport also only achieved one out of five stars for reliability, as per consumer surveys.

This model also suffered lower scores for emergency handling and rideability.

The severity and frequency of repairs for the Discovery Sport are above the industry average for compact SUVs too.

Do Range Rovers Break Down A Lot?

Unfortunately, Range Rovers and other Land Rover models are fairly prone to breakdowns — roughly 71% of used or older models break down every year , as per a report which analyzed 50,000 extended warranties.

Land Rover Discovery from 2018 and 2019 are tainted by head-up display problems, transmission faults, and water leaks in the cabin.

However, Land Rover Discovery 3 and 4 complaints come from air suspension failures, crank-shaft seizures, and parking brake problems.

At What Mileage Do Range Rovers Have Problems?

Depending on your driving style, your Range Rover could develop problems at 50,000 miles.

However, it isn't considered high mileage until the odometer reads at least 80,000.

The issues tend to come from the air suspension, which is great for providing a smooth ride when working but is super costly to fix since it contains several expensive components.

At around 100,000 miles, the bags of air at each corner of the Land Rover Range Rover will start to fail, causing air leaks and, eventually, complete failure.

Sometimes, oil leaks can happen at a mere 70,000 miles.

Hence, asking a mechanic to assess any used Range Rover before you buy it is essential.

Is A Range Rover Expensive To Fix?

RepairPal states that the Land Rover Range Rover has an average annual repair cost of $1,258.

Considering the average yearly repair cost for other cars is $652 per year, the luxury SUV is almost 50% more expensive than run-of-the-mill road vehicles.

Here are two average annual repair costs per Land Rover model for you to compare:

• Range Rover Sport — $1,179 per year
• Range Rover — $1,258 per year

Which Range Rover Is Best?

We don't suggest purchasing the Range Rover Evoque as it's one of the least reliable Land Rovers.

However, it is the smallest Range Rover model, so it's the preferred option for those new to SUVs.

That said, if reliability is what you're looking for, then the Range Rover Sport or standard Range Rover is best for you.

Least Reliable Range Rover Model Year?

The 2003 Range Rover was the worst year for this Land Rover model.

Owners mainly reported issues with the differential unit and it was purportedly the worst for driveshaft problems.

But that wasn't the only thing wrong with this model from Land Rover.

Customers also frequently reported these problems:

• Malfunctioning brakes
• Defective fuel flange
• Malfunctioning gear shift module resulting in unintentional acceleration
• Automatic steering wheel locks and fails
• Seat heaters and audio system failures
• Failing suspension
• Engine timing chain wearing prematurely

Most Reliable Range Rover Year?

2021 marks Land Rover's best model year so far.

Not to mention it's the most luxurious, combining new features like the Cabin Air Filtration System which reduces the pollens and particulates levels in the cabin.

JD Power gave this Land Rover model a decent 74/100 for reliability.

You get the following as standard with the most reliable Range Rover on the market:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Driver Condition Monitor
• Voice recorder
• Lane departure warning
• Head-Up display
• Traffic sign recognition
• Adaptive speed limiter
• 360-degree parking aid

The 2021 Range Rover boasts a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

It's one of the highest ratings achieved by vehicles for pedestrian protection in the luxury SUV vehicle class.

Not to mention it has incredible driver and passenger safety as well.

Best Year Range Rover To Buy Used?

There are a few model years that are best to buy used, including:

• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2012
• 2013
• 2009
• 2001

Conversely, the worst years to purchase used are 2014, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2003, and 2004.

Which Is More Reliable Jeep Or Land Rover?

While you might be thinking that Land Rover is obviously less reliable than Jeep, that actually isn't the case.

Jeep and Land Rover are almost identical when it comes to reliability score — i.e., neither manufacturer boasts high ratings.

Even the highly regarded 4.0L Jeep engine isn't more reliable than the 4.0L Land Rover version.

They're both durable engines, but one isn't too much more dependable than the other.

Although, it certainly depends on who you ask.

Are Range Rovers Hard To Maintain?

If you take your Land Rover Range Rover to a high-quality mechanic, they aren't any harder to maintain than other vehicles.

However, they tend to be costlier.

These SUVs have higher-than-average maintenance costs.

You'll spend roughly $1,258 per year on maintenance alone, while the average for other full-size SUVs sits around $1,127.

Range Rover Reliability Issues?

The most common reliability problems with Range Rovers are:

• The differential unit locks up without warning, particularly in models from the early 2000s.
• The driveshaft disengages from the transmission whilst driving.
• It moves from park to reverse by itself.

What Is High Mileage For A Range Rover?

If a Range Rover has 80,000 miles or more on the clock, it's considered high mileage and, therefore, a riskier purchase due to the potentially expensive repair costs and transmission failure.

However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy Land Rover vehicles with over 80,000 miles.

You must thoroughly investigate the vehicle's history and look at its overall condition when deciding whether to buy a used Range Rover.

Due to the complaints about Land Rover reliability, buying one of their luxury vehicles without a warranty could be expensive.

Should I Buy A Range Rover With Over 100k Miles?

Most Land Rover owners would discourage you from purchasing older models with over 100,000 miles because of the major repairs it'll likely need in the not-so-distant future.

However, consider the following factors before making a purchasing decision:

• The service history — Make sure the vehicle was serviced as recommended in the owner's manual provided by the Land Rover brand. The Range Rover's current owner should be able to offer proof of these services.
• Second opinion — Take the car to a repair shop and ask a professional what they think about the vehicle's reliability and longevity.
• Look at CarFax — While it doesn't guarantee your new vehicle won't present problems, it gives you a clearer idea of the wear and tear. Read it carefully and make sure any damage was rectified and no transmission-related or mechanical problems occurred.
• How long you want your new car to last — If this is your first Land Rover and you want it to last for years, consider whether the short-term savings are worth it. You might be better off spending more on a new Range Rover to avoid high maintenance costs in a year or two.
• Previous owners — The fewer owners, the better. Why? More owners equal increased wear and tear.

Do Range Rovers Get Good Gas Mileage?

Ask Range Rover owners, and they'll all say the same thing — these SUVs are certainly fuel-hungry, despite Land Rover's best efforts to lighten the vehicle.

It's still pretty heavy; couple that with the tall, poorly aerodynamic shape, and you have a luxury SUV that will no doubt struggle to provide exemplary fuel economy.

The latest Range Rover (i.e., the model year 2021-2022) is the most fuel-efficient.

However, it's still got a relatively large appetite.

The 3.0-liter D300 containing hybrid technology has a gas mileage of 33 mpg and CO2 emissions from 225 g/km.

Its more powerful cousin, the D350 Range Rover, only boasts 30.7 mpg and 241 g/km of CO2 at best.

The Range Rover P400e plug-in hybrid has a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine and electric motor, offering 25 miles of all-electric travel on a full charge and consuming up to 84.9 mpg of fuel.

With the calculated emissions ranging from 75 g/km to 86 g/km, it's the only Range Rover model not in the highest band.

Land Rover recommends its P525 (Land Rover Defender) and P565 (Land Rover Range Rover with V8 petrol engine) for ultimate performance.

However, they average around 19 mpg, and if used every day, they'll likely run even fewer miles to the gallon.

That said, you'll be hard-pushed to find better gas mileage in other luxury SUV models like the BMW X6 M or the Mercedes GLS 63 AMG.

How Much Is A Range Rover?

Naturally, it depends on the model.

The standard 2021 Range Rover starts at $93,350, while the Range Rover Sport of the same year begins at $70,850.

Conclusion

Your Range Rover can last up to 200,000 miles, depending on your driving style and whether you keep up with maintenance.

Just be prepared to stump some pretty hefty repair fees at around the 70,000- to 80,000-mile mark.