2006 Land Rover Range Rover New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover?
After making significant improvements to the Range Rover for 2005, this British luxury SUV builder is upping the ante for 2006, replacing the old 4.4-liter BMW-sourced V8 with Jaguar motors in both normally aspirated and supercharged varieties. The standard 4.4-liter V8 makes 305 horsepower, while the supercharged 4.2-liter V8 whips up 400 horsepower. That makes the 2006 Range Rover the most powerful Land Rover ever created. Styling tweaks accompany the engine swap, with restyled lights, front bumper, grille, side vents, and wheels identifying the 2006 model. Supercharged Range Rovers add a mesh grille, mesh side vents, special badges, and giant 20-inch alloy wheels. Other updates include an improved air suspension, sharpened steering response, better brake performance, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Modifications are made to create a quieter cabin, and there's a killer rear seat entertainment system featuring a six-disc DVD changer, twin screens, and headphone pods that are all integrated with the Range Rover's sound system. Adaptive headlights that help illuminate around curves are available, and the Range Rover's audio, phone, and navigation systems get touch-screen control for 2006.

Advantages of the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover:

• Phenomenal off-road prowess
• Excellent ride quality
• Impressive engines
• Opulent and quiet cabin
• Front and rear seat comfort
• Quality of build and materials
• Plethora of safety equipment and systems to protect occupants

Objections to the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover:

• Only 62 cubic feet of cargo space
• Difficult to get into and out of

Editor's Advice:
Some members of our staff feel that if they could only have one vehicle to do it all at any price, the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover is the vehicle they'd buy, especially now that 400 supercharged horses are available under the hood. Completely re-engineered by BMW during that German automaker's brief ownership of Land Rover, the Range Rover is blessedly Teutonic in driving character yet coddles its passengers in British finery. With a sumptuous interior trimmed in matte-finished wood and creamy leather, impressive on-pavement handling characteristics and nonpareil off-road capability, it's everything you're looking for in a luxo-ute and more. It may be a gas-guzzler and its cargo hold won't accommodate as much detritus as some of its competitors, but driving the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover will make you feel like the king of the Serengeti – or at least Rodeo Drive.