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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Land Rover Range Rover

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Overview

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2008 Land Rover Range Rover Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

For 2008, the Range Rover shines as the height of Land Rover engineering and luxury. It combines unparalleled off-road prowess with a winning combination of power, performance and, quite possibly, one of the most handsome interiors ever to grace an SUV. Adhering to a long tradition, the Range Rover retains its boxy styling and tall doors, augmented by a modern front fascia, large wheels and flush side glass. Furthermore, unlike many luxury competitors, the Range Rover is not derived from lesser siblings; it is a true original designed from the ground up to be the best premium SUV possible. Although fuel economy is definitely not a strong point, we doubt many buyers in this price range even notice the price at the pump when filling up.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you have the income to afford the finer things in life, then perhaps your mode of transportation should reflect your hard-earned social standing. Range Rover was the original luxury SUV, pioneering the segment long before SUVs were ubiquitous. Its technical sophistication and blend of on-road comfort and manners with off-road prowess and capabilities have simply grown through the years.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Though it can easily out-perform most sport utility vehicles when traveling far from the pavement, the Range Rover's gorgeous exterior and high price tag will discourage many owners from ever experiencing its off-road abilities.

What's New for 2008

No major changes for 2008.

Driving the Range Rover

Driving Impressions Though not many people are going to take a $90,000 vehicle for a romp in the mud, it's nice to know that, if you must diverge from the civilized road,...

the 2008 Land Rover Range Rover is equipped with one of the finest off-road systems ever designed. Its permanent four-wheel-drive system and complex array of electronic monitoring devices permit the Range Rover to ascend hills that might have a mountain goat think twice. The air-spring suspension allows you to choose the ride height of the vehicle, raising it higher when more ground clearance is required and lowering it when conditions allow a lower center of gravity. For a big SUV, the Range Rover handles itself surprisingly well, devoid of that top-heavy feel you sometimes experience in softly-sprung SUVs.

Favorite Features

Instrument Panel
The Range Rover's lovely dash is a work of automotive art.

Seat Design
Colored piping on the seats is a subtle but effective accent.

2008 Land Rover Range Rover Details

Interior

The Range Rover's dash is a complete original, and the fit and finish of the interior might easily lead one to believe it was handcrafted. The Range Rover has excellent room for four passengers, though it is designed to hold five. You can choose from five beautiful interior leather seat and piping combinations, all of which complement the standard Burl Walnut wood trim.

Exterior

For decades, the Range Rover was defined by its boxy, upright greenhouse and short front and rear overhangs. The 2008 Range Rover continues this theme but with a polish never before seen on a Land Rover product. From its flush multi-beam projector headlamps to the elegant side-fender louvers, every inch of this SUV looks as though it was assembled to be a one-of-a-kind vehicle.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2008 Ranger Rover HSE features a 305-horsepower V8 engine, six-speed ZF automatic transmission with CommandShift, Terrain Response all-wheel drive, tri-zone automatic air conditioning, xenon headlamps, Hill Descent Control, dual-heated power auto-dimming power mirrors with tilt-down feature, rearview camera, front side-impact airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, power glass sunroof, navigation, heated leather front seats, cruise control, stability control, automatic load-leveling suspension, heated windshield wipers, alloy wheels and a memory feature for the driver's seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel.

Optional Equipment

Options for the Range Rover include a 400-horsepower Supercharged V8, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, 14-way power driver's and passenger's seats, adaptive headlamps and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Under the Hood

The 305-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine of the Range Rover HSE rates high in the areas of horsepower, torque and fuel economy. The supercharged 4.2-liter engine provides superior off-the-line acceleration as well as passing power, but the additional $15,000-asking price is steep. We think most people will be perfectly happy with the HSE.

4.4-liter V8
305 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
325 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/18

4.2-liter V8 Supercharged
400 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
420 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/18

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2008 Land Rover Range Rover Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.2

Out of 10

Based on 190 Ratings for the 2003 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

7.1/10

Quality

7.6/10
Reliability

7.2/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

8.7/10

Best SUV!

By dobieman (NC) on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 475,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Total luxury SUV"

Cons: "Maintenance"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This an awesome road car.Excellent handling and great comfort, a true luxury vehicle. Mileage as expected 14/21. Maintenance shedule and cost are real draw backs."

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Worst vehicle I have owned

By Poodle (CA) on Monday, January 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 77,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Nothing is good about this vehicle"

Cons: "Unreliable, uncomfortable on long trips"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought this about a year ago. I have spent over 3K in the last year trying to keep it working. All the parts and service are very expensive. Just when I thought it would be ok after spending 1400 dollars on service I decided to take it on a trip from LA to Reno. but just about a hundred miles on the trip the service engine light came on and just when I got to reno the whole suspension failed and I had to drive it back with the vehicle practically touching the ground. I give up on this and I am going to trade it in on something dependable like a gmc yukon. Also the seats are very uncomfortable on a long trip."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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