The Land Rover Range Rover is perhaps the world’s most recognizable SUV. Sold around the globe since 1970, it has undergone only two major redesigns since its original debut – one in 1996 and one in 2002 – each time becoming more luxurious and refined yet retaining its signature airy and upright greenhouse, tall driving position, and incredible off-road performance capabilities. For the nameplate's 40th year in production, the 2010 Range Rover receives a significant freshening under its latest owner, India’s Tata Motors, which purchased Land Rover from Ford Motor Company in 2008. We reviewed a 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged because it was the highest ranking Large Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL), which is to say its owners really like its performance and design attributes.

Here is a summary of the changes to the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover:
• New Autobiography package available on Supercharged model
• Fresh wheel designs
• Softer Cambridge leather trim for the dashboard
• Revised door seals to reduce wind and road noise
• Three new colors: Galway Green, Bournville (a dark brown metallic hue), and Santorini Black (as seen in photos)

The 2009 Land Rover Range Rover is available in HSE or Supercharged trim. The Supercharged model adds a more powerful supercharged engine, 20-inch wheels wearing 255/50 tires, Brembo performance brakes with larger front rotors, and a locking rear differential. Additionally, the Supercharged includes an adaptive front lighting system, 14-way power front seats with heating and cooling, Oxford leather trim (an upgrade over the HSE model’s Blenheim leather), and Grand Black Lacquer wood (as seen in photos). Chrome exhaust tips, clear taillight lenses, and stainless-steel foot pedal trim complete the upgrades.

For 2009, the Supercharged model is offered with a special Autobiography option package. The Autobiography package includes Diamond Turn 20-inch wheels with V-shaped spokes; soft semi-aniline leather for all seating surfaces; leather trim covering the top of the dashboard, the sides of the center console, and the tops of the door panels; and 14 pieces of American Cherry or Burled Walnut wood decorating various locations of the cabin. The Autobiography’s climate control system is equipped with four-zone operation, and special climate-controlled glass keeps interior temperatures down. Other goodies include a standard rear seat entertainment system and a special Autobiography badge on the tailgate.

The 2009 Land Rover Range Rover HSE is powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 engine driving all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift feature. This engine generates 305 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 325 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Fuel economy ratings are 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway burning premium unleaded.

The 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged is powered by a 4.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine driving all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift feature. This engine generates 400 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm. Fuel economy ratings are 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway burning premium unleaded. Our review vehicle, a Supercharged model, averaged 13.2 mpg in mixed driving.

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, side-curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions, and a knee airbag for the driver. Additionally, the Range Rover comes standard with four-wheel-disc, all-terrain ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, cornering brake control, active roll mitigation, and brake assist; stability control; and traction control.

Another safety technology offered on the Range Rover is Hill Descent Control, which limits vehicle speed during steep downhill descents and helps better stabilize the SUV when driving off-road. Adaptive Front Lighting, which swivels the headlights when the steering wheel is turned to help the driver see around curves and corners, comes standard on the Supercharged model.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover competes against other large premium multi-activity vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.