Land Rover Defender

The inventor built it when his WW2 Willys Jeep finally gave up the ghost, and thus set up a new legend in offroad and military vehicle building. And the modern (sic) Defender is still the icon of that first vehicle, and to some of us feels like it too. And it’s not cheap, but somehow it still tracks its way through - mainly British - rural lives, seam welds on its aluminium bodywork still unashamedly left visible. Available in pickup, hard-top, and station wagon form, the ‘County’ designation being the one to go for if you’re in the green-welly grouse bracket. There are two engine choices, TD5 in either 90bhp or 110bhp power outputs. An unforgiving ride on tarmac transforms into a go-anywhere ruggedness when the road runs out. Sells mostly in ‘commercial’ format, where it holds on tightly to its of the market. Stars: 6/10

LAND ROVER REVIEWS

Land Rover Freelander

Freelander is no longer king of the ‘soft road’ brigade in Ireland, having relinquished that spot to Hyundai’s Santa Fe. There are also many new competitors in the segment, and improved ones, making it very necessary for the nameplate to fight harder. Under current owners Ford has gone a long way to dealing with the original’s build quality problems. Driving one always brings back memories of Beaujolais vineyards, where I finally realised just how capable this vehicle is in extreme circumstances and came to believe in its ‘hill holder’ technology that breaks all the accepted rules of downhill offroading. I like it best with the BMW-designed TD4 diesel, preferably mated to the excellent autobox with Tiptronic-style manual operation option. A 2.5 V6 was developed mainly for US market, and there’s also a 1.8-litre petrol. There’s a choice of 3-door or 5-door, the former with detachable rear hardtop. Stars: 8/10

Land Rover Discovery

The latest Land Rover Discovery features a new look, revised interiors and a number of significant technical enhancements. Improvements include a new Land Rover ‘family face’ inspired by the latest Range Rover, new rear tail lights, new front bumper and grille, and new interior trim colours. Brakes and suspension have both been improved, and a centre differential lock is now available to improve the Discovery’s off-road ability. Refinement and build quality have also been enhanced. The cabin is extremely roomy and you enjoy a high driving position. In the 7-seater, the two smaller very back seats can be folded back against the sides of the vehicle still allowing pretty huge cargo space. All here are powered by a BMW-fettled TD5 diesel engine, that is a little bit noisy but forgivable. The autobox is worth going for. Stars: 7/10

Range Rover

The vehicle that brought luxury to mud-roaming is now in its third generation, with a much more butch look to favour it into the North American market. Traditional Range Rover elements have been retained, including the horizontally split tailgate, the bold upright front with its simple grille, the high driving position, the ‘floating’ roof, and the clamshell bonnet. The new vehicle has grown longer and taller and has greater ground clearance than before. There are two engines - a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel and a 4.4-litre petrol V8 - and three interior trim finishes, featuring cherry wood, burr walnut and a more sporting alloy metal look called Foundry. Heating elements can be specified for all the seats as well as the steering wheel. There’s also a lot of high-tech, and a screen that over-provides information but also acts as the TV. Stars: 8/10