STUD or DUD? Is The 2003 Range Rover's Interior The BEST Ever Offered In An SUV?

In the wonderful world of sport-utility vehicles, there's plenty to choose from. Especially when you consider the latest boom in offerings. 

If you want something that's back-to-basics, I'd advise you look at the old-school Land Rover Defender 90 or Jeep Wrangler. Looking for something a bit more, luxurious? While the Bentley Bentayga has a brutal-looking exterior, on the inside there's nothing quite like it. 

But what if we were to think about the very BEST SUV interiors that ever saw the light of day in production form?

Agent 001 and I were talking cars, as usual, and somehow the topic of great interior design came up. After a bit of back and forth, 001 revealed that he would love to pick up a last-gen Land Rover Range Rover simply because its interior is off the charts. 

I can't disagree with him. Pictured below is a 2003 model year Range Rover and it was optioned with the the oyster leather and dark blue carpets/dash/steering wheel. Can you say "SCHWING?" Even better, have a look at the way the materials are layered. Leather, metal, wood. Still in partnership with BMW at the time, there's quite a bit of lifted BMW 7-Series (E38) switchgear, which appeals to 001 and myself. 

That said, we've got to ask: Do YOU think the 2003 Range Rover's interior is the BEST ever offered in an SUV? Is it a STUD or DUD? 

What say you, Spies?

runninglogan1 - 5/12/2017 10:19:50 PM

+3 Boost

You guys are old. The new Velar interior blows this away.

Agent00R - 5/12/2017 10:30:43 PM

+1 Boost

First off, that is a concept.

Second, we appreciate all-new technology and all that jazz; however, that interior is very cold. This interior, however, is the complete opposite. It's warm and inviting.

MDarringer - 5/13/2017 8:22:13 AM

-1 Boost

I happen to agree with you. Land Rovers of 2003 for all intents and purposes had Ford interiors. Hell, the LR3/4 was essentially a Ford Explorer with uglier styling.

westy1974 - 5/13/2017 2:53:43 PM

+1 Boost

I agree the Velar interior is gorgeous. And 00R, it's not a concept.

http://buildyour.landrover.com/lr2/r/model/_/en_us/l560_k18/3gf6o

Carmaker1 - 5/16/2017 1:30:16 PM

+1 Boost

@MDarringer that is a bunch of bullshit, as Ford did not design and engineer the initial L322. BMW did, as L322 development took place between 1995 and 2001. By December 1997 the final design was approved, so how does your Ford theory come into place.

Jim, who used to work for LR and engineered the U502 Explorer, did work on "Ford's version" of the L322, which was the first refresh in 2005 (06MY). Prior to that, much of the L322 was strictly BMW.

Don't make ignorant extrapolations.

TheSteve - 5/12/2017 11:41:59 PM

+4 Boost

The center stack gives me the warm and inviting feeling of 1970's HiFi equipment. Definitely not my cup of tea.

Vette71 - 5/13/2017 12:15:48 PM

+2 Boost

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler interior shown yesterday looks better.

MDarringer - 5/13/2017 12:36:11 PM

-2 Boost

And that's saying something! The Wrangler looks like they took the plastic fantastic nonsense of the Fiat 500 and bolted in leftover components from the cancelled Dart and 200 and called it good.

knowitall1985 - 5/13/2017 2:25:25 PM

+3 Boost

It's junk!!

MBguy - 5/13/2017 9:57:00 PM

+2 Boost

You guys are looking at it with 2017 eyes. Remember, it was 2003 - and this wasn't a luxury car. The quality, luxury and class of this interior was groundbreaking for its time.

It really raised the bar for interiors in this type of vehicle.

A trendsetter (for sure). And a game changer.

Carmaker1 - 5/16/2017 1:06:22 PM

+1 Boost

The L332 Range Rover was introduced in late 2001, so it was an even bigger deal. Chris Bangle is the reason this turned out the way it did, as design of L322 ended in 1997.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 5/14/2017 2:52:44 PM

+1 Boost

I wonder what a 2003 Range Rover HSE goes for these days. And what it would cost you in the first year of ownership. :/

MDarringer - 5/14/2017 3:11:00 PM

+2 Boost

I'm thinking $5K and more than that to keep it running and no I am not being sarcastic.

Agent00R - 5/15/2017 12:35:22 AM

+2 Boost

I think you're just about right, Matt!