How good is the 'L405' generation of the Range Rover?
Put it this way: last year, we were confident enough to declare a used £55,000 L405 a better buy than a new Kia Sorento for the same price. Which is especially attention-grabbing when you consider an L405 Rangie can now be picked up for just £10,000 (even though we would advise spending a little more, if you can).
And just look at it. It's upright, stately, monolithic, inherently classy unmistakably and unapologetically a Range Rover, in other words. While it's not quite as regally brutalistic as its 'L322' predecessor, it's a mighty fine piece of design and brought the lineage into the modern world with a 0.30 drag coefficient (down from 0.38), a kerb weight starting at 2160kg (down from 2438kg) and up to 40mpg as a result.
It impressed our road testers when it was new as well. They found this generation of Range Rover a joy to be with. It looks the part as you walk up to it, yet it's not as overtly flashy as an equivalent BMW or Mercedes. Inside, that theme continues: it's beautifully rich in feel and smell, with real leather and wood (metal/carbonfibre was also available) giving a warming and comfortable vibe.
Yes, the infotainment of early cars leaves a lot to be desired (the 2018 facelift improved usability and connectivity a lot) but the driving position is spot on commanding like nothing else and with knobs and buttons within easy reach.
On the road, it delivers comfort and isolation that can only be beaten (in this lofty price bracket) by a Mercedes S-Class. What the Benz can't do, though, is tow 3500kg and wade 900mm. It's easy to forget how competent a Range Rover is over really challenging terrain when it's also so adept at trundling around town or shrinking the miles during a motorway slog.
The Range Rover works well in more everyday scenarios as a family chariot too. Its 900-litre boot (2000 litres with the seats folded) is cavernous, while the large glass area (with optional giant sunroof) helps to brighten the mood on a long haul. And it makes this five-by-two-metre beast relatively easy to place on the road and park.
Join the debate
Add your comment
You'd lose less just posting your bank account details on the dark web.