2005 Land Rover Range Rover Test Drive

The King of SUVs

Style

The exterior of the new Range Rover is derivative of the old truck but, to our eyes, refreshed in a way that makes it seem both classical Rover and exceedingly modern.

There are bits of BMW in that exterior, especially around the wheel arches, but there are also design cues that take off from Audi and even the New Mini (which just happens to be made on the same assembly line in England for, you guessed it, BMW).

Still, designer GeoffUpexGeoff Upex 's goal of having the Range Rover instantly recognizable holds fast, especially given the similar cues to the previous truck such as the clamshell hood, wide grille, beefy front bumper, thin roof piece, upright door breaks and large wheel openings. Upex cleanly updated certain aspects, like the overlapping dual front headlamps in clear housings (with chrome surrounds against a field of tiny chrome quilts). In fact that's the one element that most quickly pulls the Range Rover forward into the 21st century.

That, and the massive, thickly spoked 19-inch wheels (you can even get 20-inch wheels as an option) that give the vehicle its somewhat intimidating heft. And it's that combination of clean looks wedded to a taut athletic build that make this truck look so unreservedly attractive. And let's face it, when was the last time you could say that about an SUV?