Which used Range Rover should you buy?

Few cars are more instantly recognisable than that most prestigious of luxury SUVs, the Range Rover. Land Rover’s flagship off-roader has been a staple on our roads since 1970, with the latest generation launched in 2022.

Most used Range Rovers are five-seaters only, as seven seats have only been offered with the most recent model. If you want a seven-seater, there is likely to be more choice with the Range Rover Sport.

That said, there are Range Rover models with an extended wheelbase for even more legroom in the back. The long-wheelbase option is favoured by wealthy corporate users and those who like to be chauffeured around in the lap of luxury, so is usually combined with lavish Autobiography trim.

All Range Rover models have permanent four-wheel drive and smooth-shifting automatic gearboxes, so it’s really just a case of deciding which engine suits you best.

There’s quite a range, with a pair of 3.0-litre diesels offered up to 2020. These promise reasonable fuel economy while offering plenty of muscle, and are barely audible from inside the cabin.

If you do high mileages, choosing one of the petrol versions instead is likely to mean much higher fuel bills.

The powerful V8 petrol Range Rovers will be expensive at the fuel pumps even if you don’t rack up the miles, with 15mpg a likely real-world average. However, with up to 565PS on offer from the same 5.0-litre supercharged engine fitted to the Jaguar F-Type, you could have serious fun with one of these high-performance machines.

Just don’t expect a Range Rover to handle in quite the same way as its sports car cousin.

A possible alternative is a plug-in hybrid. The Range Rover P400e model introduced in 2018 has a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor combining to make 406PS, but can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone.

There is also a mild hybrid Range Rover P400 with a 3.0-litre petrol engine offering 406PS, but much less in the way of electric assistance.

Range Rovers from 2020 onwards came with a pair of six-cylinder mild hybrid diesels, and were badged D300 and D350.

Read our full Range Rover review

What used Range Rover trim levels are available?

Whichever Range Rover specification you go for, you won’t be short of equipment, such is the level of luxury on offer. Read on as we guide you through some of the most commonly available trims.

Range Rover Vogue

On some older Range Rovers, Vogue was the highest trim level you could order. On more recent versions, the Range Rover Vogue became the entry-level car. Generally, a Range Rover Vogue means an extensive kit list that is hard to pick holes in.

• Touch Pro media system with 10-inch screen (Post-2018 models)
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Matrix LED headlamps
• Windsor leather 20-way power-adjustable seats
• Fixed panoramic roof
• Meridian sound system
• Sat-nav
• Reversing camera

Range Rover Vogue SE

A Range Rover Vogue SE has one or two additional external features over the Range Rover Vogue, but the real differences are in the cabin, where it manages to convey an even more upmarket feel.

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Front foglamps
• Perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery
• Electrically heated and cooled front seats
• Suede-covered dashboard
• Configurable ambient interior lighting
• Soft-close doors

Range Rover Autobiography

The sumptuous Range Rover Autobiography models ramp up the luxury and technology. A number of driver aids are fitted as standard, which may be also be found in used Range Rover Vogue and Range Rover Vogue SE trim cars, but on these they’ll have been paid for as optional extras.

• Pixel LED headlamps
• Updated sound system
• Active cruise control
• Lane-keeping assistance

Range Rover SVAutobiography

The Range Rover SVAutobiography is long-wheelbase only, and is the ultimate luxury package, as the equipment list below illustrates. Confusingly, there’s also a Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic, which is a sporty-looking standard-wheelbase flagship version with a unique front grille and side vents, and a diamond-quilted leather interior.

• Massaging front seats
• Twin rear executive seats
• Four-zone climate control
• Digital TV

Is a used Range Rover a good buy?

You can’t really go wrong with a Range Rover. No matter what model you choose, you’ll be swanning around in the lap of luxury, enjoying a beautifully trimmed club-class cabin.

This all encourages a relaxed approach to driving, although Range Rovers can pack a lot of muscle under the bonnet and are perfectly capable of cruising at high motorway speeds, too.

While few Range Rovers spend much time off-road, it’s worth remembering this flagship SUV is designed to tackle harsh off-road conditions.

Advanced electronic Terrain Response driving modes, impressive ground clearance and years of Land Rover know-how mean the Range Rover is pretty much unbeatable when it comes to the rough stuff.