2004 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Powertrain

First Place: Land Rover Range Rover HSE

When we adjourn to our offices to vote for the winners in MT comparison tests, we always keep one eye sharply focused on sticker prices. Value for the dollar weighs big in our deliberations--the more expensive the vehicle, the bigger the built-in deficit it usually carries. At $74,250 as-tested, the Range Rover HSE thus faced more uphill battles than any of the rivals in this comparo. That it went on to win so convincingly, though, is testament to the excellence of this multimission machine.

The logbook gushed with praise. "Supreme engine smoothness, cabinet-maker interior fit and finish, great steering damping, superb handling, vault-like solidity and quietness," wrote Matthius. "Pretty damn amazing on gravel and dirt roads," said Williams. "And when pushed on pavement, it feels smooth and locked down. Getting such outstanding ride and handling performance from a hulking SUV is a stunning feat of engineering."

Credit, of course, goes to BMW, which owned Land Rover just long enough to create an all-new Range Rover for 2003. The "BMW-ness" of this British-built truck is unmistakable, from the ultrasmooth 282-horsepower, 32-valve, 4.4-liter V-8 (first used in the BMW X5) to the slick-shifting ZF five-speed manumatic transmission to a fully independent air-spring suspension with stability and handling responsiveness that seem to have descended directly from BMW's famed sport sedans. The Range Rover exudes a German solidity, too. Despite being the lightest SUV in the comparo (the hood and doors are made of aluminum), the RR's monocoque sets the standard for rigidity and robustness.

The modern, airy cabin is a feast of designer lines, polished wood, brushed-metal trim, and electronic conveniences. "The contrasting piping on the leather seats is a knockout," stated Matthius. "Looks like it came from a Rolls or a Bentley." Two details blot the cockpit's appeal, though. A huge, gnarly glovebox button sits high up like a prominent wart on the otherwise gorgeous dash. And the BMW-sourced navigation system is abysmal, providing minimal graphic information and proving incredibly counter-intuitive to use. The Range Rover is also the only player in the test not to offer a third-row seat.