The Best Car Ever Made? - The L322 Range Rover, Analysed
10/07/2026
By Jason, Owner — Newbury 4x4 Centre, Thatcham
Few cars split opinion quite like the L322 Range Rover. Built between 2002 and 2012, it’s been called "the best car ever made" an accolade credited to two world leading journalists. And to be fair, when you experience a good one, it’s not a ridiculous claim.
But that’s the key point—a good one. Because there’s a big difference between a well maintained L322 and the average example on today’s used market. And that’s where the reality starts to bite.
Why people say it’s the best
Start with what the L322 gets right because this is where the reputation comes from. When these cars are on form, they deliver something very few vehicles have managed, even now.
The ride quality is what most people notice first. On a healthy air suspension system, the L322 has that proper “waft” to it, comfortable without feeling uncontrolled. A lot of modern SUVs still don’t get this balance right.
Then there’s the driving position and overall feel. You sit high, upright, and relaxed. It doesn’t try to feel sporty, it just feels right for what it is.
Inside, it’s traditional but solid. Leather, wood, and a layout that makes sense. No unnecessary gimmicks, just a properly built interior that still holds up today. And importantly, it’s still a proper Range Rover. It tows properly, it works off-road, and it will sit on the motorway all day without effort. Put it all together, and you can see why people get attached to them. A sorted L322 still feels like a £70,000 car.
The reality: ownership makes or breaks them
Here’s where things need balancing.
The L322 isn’t unreliable by accident, it becomes unreliable when it’s been maintained like a cheap car. And that’s exactly what’s happened to a lot of them.
Now they’re affordable to buy, they often end up in the hands of owners who aren’t prepared for what they actually cost to run. That’s when problems start stacking up. From a workshop point of view, the common issues are predictable:
- Air suspension components wear out compressors, airbags, valve blocks
- Gearboxes suffer if they haven’t been serviced properly
- Electrical faults creep in, especially on earlier cars
- Cooling systems and engine related issues escalate when ignored
- General wear (brakes, bushes, arms) comes quickly due to the weight
None of this is unusual for a car of this size and complexity, but it is a problem if everything has been left to wear out at the same time.
That’s when people label them "unreliable".
Best year, best engine, and what to actually buy
If you’re in the market for an L322 now, condition matters more than anything, but some choices are definitely better than others.
The early 3.0 TD6 diesel cars do the job, but by modern standards they feel quite agricultural. They drive like an older generation diesel slower response, less refinement, and paired with a gearbox that doesn’t help the experience.
The later cars are a noticeable step forward.
The 3.6 TDV8 (2007 onwards) is where the L322 starts to feel like a more modern vehicle. It’s smoother, more powerful, and when paired with the later automatic gearbox, it’s a much better drive all round.
The 4.4 TDV8 again improves refinement and performance, and on paper it’s the best of the range, but only if it’s been maintained properly. Ignore servicing on these and the repair bills are significant.
The takeaway is simple:
Don’t just buy based on engine—buy based on history and condition.
What you should insist on when buying one
This is where most people get it wrong.
If you’re serious about owning one of these, there are a few things you should not compromise on:
- Low mileage (but backed up properly)
- Full, comprehensive service history with invoices, not just stamps
- Evidence of major work already carried out (suspension, gearbox servicing, cooling system)
- Consistent ownership history — no long unknown gaps
- Signs it’s been maintained properly, not just kept running cheaply
A cheap L322 with no history is never a bargain.
Where they rust and what to check
Corrosion is becoming more of a factor now simply due to age, and it’s often overlooked.
The main areas to check are:
- Sills (especially toward the rear)
- Rear wheel arches
- Tailgate (lower section and inner frame)
- Door bottoms and fixings depending on use
- Signs it’s been maintained properly, not just kept running cheaply
Left unchecked, rust in these areas can go from cosmetic to structural, and more importantly, can lead to water ingress, which is where electrical issues start to follow.
Cheap to buy, expensive to get wrong
This is the trap.
You can now buy an L322 for relatively little money, which is what pulls people in. But the purchase price is the least important part of ownership.
What matters is what it needs next.
Buy a well maintained example and you’ll get a genuinely capable, comfortable, and still very usable vehicle.
Buy a neglected one, and you’ll spend the difference and more putting it right.
So, is it the best car ever made?
If you’re talking about a properly sorted L322, it’s easy to understand why that claim gets made.
It’s comfortable, capable, and still feels special in a way a lot of newer cars don’t.
But as a blanket statement, it doesn’t quite hold up.
Because the ownership experience varies too much. One car can be brilliant, the next can be a constant problem, and the difference usually comes down to how it’s been treated over the years.
Final Thoughts
The L322 Range Rover isn’t the best car ever made.
But a good one is about as close as most people will get.
The problem is, most buyers don’t see the difference until it’s too late.
Get it right, and you’ll understand exactly why it has the reputation it does.
Get it wrong, and you’ll understand why it doesn’t.
Please feel free to give us a call on 01635 32028 to discuss any points raised in this article or to book a Vehicle Health Inspection.
About the author – Jason has been working on Land Rovers and Range Rovers for over 25 years. Newbury 4x4 Centre is based in Thatcham, Berkshire, and serves customers across Newbury, Reading, Basingstoke, Andover and the wider Thames Valley area.
