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Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER SPORT

The image is good, but it's expensive

Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4 2005 - 2013

Buying and running a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a> is a costly business. It's expensive as a new car and, because of its relative youth, there aren't many used examples around. Most of them are still at Land Rover dealers, as well, so it's an expensive used buy.

To keep costs as low as possible, you have to go for a diesel version although, as we've said, it's hardly sporty. Not only are the diesels the cheapest to buy, they also have the best fuel economy and the lowest insurance groups. Also, it is the only engine available with the most basic S trim.

The Sport is at least cheaper to buy and run than a Porsche Cayenne. However, next to a BMW X5, the fuel economy of the Sport looks very poor, as do average repair costs and labour rates at Land Rover dealers.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a> is so big and heavy that even the 295bhp 4.4 V8 petrol struggles, and needs working very hard, which is difficult because the standard automatic transmission often sits in too high a gear.

Instead, our favourite is the supercharged 4.2 V8, the most powerful engine in the range, but the only one to give you something approaching sporty performance - albeit with a hefty price to pay at the fuel pumps.

For better economy you could plump for the 2.7 TDV6 diesel, but performance is sluggish. The TDV8, found in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a>, was a late addition to the Sport range, and is extremely rare on the used market.

Whichever trim you go for, you'll get plenty of equipment. The 'basic' S is anything but, and includes plenty of safety and luxury equipment. However, we'd be tempted to upgrade to SE or HSE, which add equipment such as metallic paint and sat-nav.

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £70,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

The Sport has already been subject to three recalls: in cars built before February 2006, there was a potential problem with the brake hose and pad sensor, leading to chafing on the wheel weights; cars built between August and September 2005 had a potential problem with the 'park' function of the automatic transmission; and, also in September 2005, some cars had a rear belt buckle that could malfunction in an accident.

Other than that, though, we have heard of no major problems with this car. For the time being, all models are still covered by the new-car warranty.

That will give welcome peace of mind to people worried by Land Rover's poor performance in customer satisfaction surveys. However, in the company's defence, the latest models like the Sport are yet to figure in the results, and early signs are that they are much better than older Land Rovers.

Don't be fooled by the 'Sport' name. Although there's no denying this is a sharper drive on-road than a standard <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a>, it's still no match for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a>.

On the other hand, it's every bit as good as you'd expect of a Land Rover off-road, with a bewildering, but very effective, array of electronic aids to get the best out of it.

Although the car sits a little lower than the standard Range Rover, you still have a commanding, high driving position, and the centre console is angled towards the driver to give a more sporty feel.

The space inside is at least as good as an X5's, with room for four, and even five at a pinch. Although the shape of the rear doors does make getting in and out rather awkward, there are no complaints about the size of the boot.

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Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4 2005 - 2013 reliability

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Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4 2005 - 2013 review

The Sport has already been subject to three recalls: in cars built before February 2006, there was a potential problem with the brake hose and pad sensor, leading to chafing on the wheel weights; cars built between August and September 2005 had a potential problem with the 'park' function of the automatic transmission; and, also in September 2005, some cars had a rear belt buckle that could malfunction in an accident.,Other than that, though, we have heard of no major problems with this car. For the time being, all models are still covered by the new-car warranty.,That will give welcome peace of mind to people worried by Land Rover's poor performance in customer satisfaction surveys. However, in the company's defence, the latest models like the Sport are yet to figure in the results, and early signs are that they are much better than older Land Rovers.

What to look for when buying a Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2005 - 2013, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4 2005 - 2013 reliability

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