2003 Land Rover Range Rover HSE

The cockpit feels more expansive than ever. Instruments have a traditional look and feel, and upholstery is ever-popular Connolly leather.

This year's remake marks only the third time that Land Rover has revamped its premier model since the Range Rover was introduced in 1970. Now in the hands of Ford (as part of that company's Premier Auto Group (PAG) along with British cousins Jaguar and Aston Martin), the Range Rover has been completely redesigned to be bigger, stronger, more agile and more fuel-efficient—though not by much—than its predecessors.


Backed by the design and marketing expertise of a team that included BMW ex-pats (Rover was owned by the Germans prior to being purchased by Ford), the latest safari-mobile has great potential as a complete on-road and off-road vehicle. Boasting an all-new monocoque body with integrated chassis, an all-independent suspension, 5-speed automatic transmission and, of course, Land Rover's legendary four-wheel drive, the Range Rover is designed to take you anywhere from the Sahara to the South Pole. But, with its luxury amenities and a price tag to match, it's unlikely to take most drivers far from Southampton or Sotheby's.


Exterior styling cues are inspired by the Riva Aquarama, an Italian speedboat that's often considered one of the world's most beautiful objects. The front end is strong and horizontal, capped by Rover's trademark clamshell hood. High-tech headlamps (with power washers) and a prominent air dam are flanked by functional power vents that help feed air to the engine. From the side, the vehicle is a flat expanse of sleek metal, and rear taillights echo the futuristic look of the front end.


Underneath the sheetmetal is a steel monocoque structure that increases torsional stiffness by 32 percent over previous models. The Range Rover shares this design (but not its size) with stablemate Freelander, the entry-level SUV introduced to the American market in 2001.


Increased body strength gives Ford's British offspring a green card to tow, haul and tote just about anything on- or off-road. The new model is capable of ferrying a two-horse trailer or a large powerboat, and its tailgate alone supports the weight of two adults. At the same time, much of the body panel construction is aluminum, which reduces weight. Still, this monolith weighs in at over 5,300 pounds.