When you think of luxury utility, the first name that should come to mind is Land Rover. The British automaker specializes in high-end 4x4 vehicles that have ushered in the current fashion of premium SUVs. Over the years, Land Rover has produced an array of capable, enviable models, with certain ones standing out in particular. These are the Land Rover vehicles we consider to be the best of the best.
1987 Range Rover
It’s hard to overstate how the Range Rover has revolutionized the luxury utility segment, and its influence in the U.S. dates back to the release of the 1987 Range Rover. Packed with premium amenities and lavish materials rarely found on SUVs at the time, the American debut of the Range Rover was a hit, and its first stateside release is held in high regard by collectors and fans.
Powered by a strong V8 engine and equipped with a capable 4x4 system, the 1987 Range Rover proved that such vehicles could be rugged and sophisticated simultaneously.
1993 Land Rover Defender 110 NAS
Practically any model year of the Land Rover Defender 110 is a good choice to own, but the 1993 model year is definitely at the top of the list — both in demand and appeal. It was practically made to be a collector’s dream, with only 500 limited-edition units sold in the U.S. and each one having a numbered plaque.
What made the 1993 Land Rover Defender 110 so enviable apart from its rarity? It was the first time that the Defender was sold in the U.S. instead of merely imported, as the “North American Specification” 110 model was made specifically for U.S. fans. It was packed with everything the brand offered in terms of off-roading gear — including a 3.9-liter V8.
1971 Range Rover
Although Land Rover didn’t cross the ocean until the late 1980s, it still was thriving in Europe for much of the 20th century. One of the highlights of its history was the release of the game-changing Range Rover, which debuted as a 1971 model in 1970.
Arguably inventing the luxury SUV segment, the 1971 Range Rover was somehow simultaneously utilitarian and cultured. It had the rugged capabilities characteristic of prior Land Rover creations but was more comfortable for daily driving, making it “A Car for All Reasons.”
Land Rover LR2
Land Rover made multiple strides throughout the 1990s and 2000s to provide the U.S. market with models that fit American consumers’ preferences and lifestyles. The LR2 was proof of that, as it continued to evolve year after year.
The second generation of the Freelander was called the LR2 in North America, and its 2008 LR2 HSE release was a huge hit. Unlike prior Land Rover models, this one had a unibody platform with all-wheel drive instead of 4x4 and an automatic transmission. Its roomier seating and smoother ride also appealed to American families, making it an immediate hit.
Land Rover Discovery Series II
The quintessential Land Rover in many ways, the Land Rover Discovery Series II excelled in off-road performance and attractive styling. It featured many of the characteristics you’d expect — like four-wheel drive — at a price that made it a wide-seller on the U.S. market with the average family.
For many people, the Discovery Series II was their introduction to the brand.
The Discovery is easy to find on the used market and is an affordable entry point for buyers who want to own a Land Rover.
Range Rover Sport SVR
Until the early 2010s, Range Rovers were synonymous with off-roading but weren’t really considered track-oriented vehicles. The automaker decided to prove that its models could perform just as well on asphalt tracks as they did on dirt paths.
An acronym for “Special Vehicle Racing,” the Range Rover SVR possessed the best handling, most meticulous tuning, and biggest engine up until that point: a 5.0-liter V8 that cranked out 550 horsepower. It was a side of the Range Rover that hadn’t been seen before — and is still a best-seller in the Land Rover lineup.
Interested in owning a Land Rover, whether it’s a classic model or one of the many modern units still sold in the U.S.? Show Cars of Boca Raton can help you find and finance it. Talk to our sales team! We can acquire and ship cars nationwide, so you don’t even have to live in Boca Raton, Florida near our dealership to do business with us.
