Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A silver 2020 Land Rover Ranger Rover is driving through deep water, shown from the front.

Which Land Rover is Best for Going Off-Road?

Although every Land Rover vehicle is a fantastic option, the overall best choice for off-roading is the standard 2020 Range Rover model. Thanks to an off-road approach angle of 34.7 degrees, a ramp angle of 28.2 degrees, and a 29-degree departure angle, the Range Rover can handle even the most challenging terrain. And when you combine that with an off-road clearance height of 11.7 inches and a maximum water wading depth of 35.4 inches, the Range Rover lets you tackle trails that a lot of other vehicles simply couldn’t dream of. So today, we are going to take a good look at the entire 2020 Land Rover lineup and see how they all compare.

2020 Land Rover Defender

The off-road potential and performance of the all-new Land Rover Defender are truly exceptional, and it clearly demonstrates everything it has to offer for leaving the pavement behind. There are two versions of the Defender available: the 90, which is a two-door model, and the 110, which is a larger four-door model. No matter which one you choose, however, you get excellent overall performance and an off-road design that is hard to beat.

While the smaller size of the Defender 90 does give it a tighter turning circle, as you might expect, the off-road performance on these two models is otherwise the same. They both offer a 38-degree off-road approach angle, a 31-degree ramp angle, and a 40-degree departure angle when off-road. Overall, the Defender has 11.5 inches of off-road obstacle clearance, and with the available air suspension, it gives you up to 35.4 inches of wading depth. This is a close second to the off-road performance of the standard Range Rover.

2020 Land Rover Discovery

A blue 2020 Land Rover Discovery is kicking up dust while riving in sand.

The Land Rover Discovery is an incredible example of the cutting-edge design and unprecedented versatility you can get with a Land Rover. Depending on how many passengers you need to have with you, you can get seating in the Discovery for just two people with great cargo capacity, or up to seven passengers in total with a pair of seats in a third row available. With exquisite luxury inside and tremendous power under the hood, the Discovery is a lot of fun to drive.

This is also a fantastic option if you want a Land Rover for going off-road. There is both a coil suspension and an air suspension available for the Discovery, and you’ll want to choose the air suspension for optimal off-road performance and clearance. With the air suspension, the Discovery has a 34-degree approach angle, a 27.5-degree ramp angle, and a 30-degree departure angle; with the coil suspension, those numbers are significantly lower. The air suspension offers 8.2 inches of obstacle clearance underneath and 35.4 inches of wading depth, letting you tackle anything you come across.

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a stunning and powerful four-door compact model that offers a similar combination of functionality and power to the standard Discovery but in a smaller size. With its gorgeous interior, the Discovery Sport has standard seating for five people, with a pair of available seats that can push that to up to seven passengers. This versatility is truly impressive and really showcases the unique way that Land Rover approaches their vehicles.

In terms of off-road functionality, the Discovery Sport is another great option, though it cannot quite compare with some of the other Land Rover models. It has an approach angle of up to 25 degrees, with a 20.6-degree ramp angle and a departure angle of up to 30.2 degrees. As you can see, that is not quite as much off-road performance as something like the Land Rover Defender, but it is still great for a lot of uses. You get 8.3 inches of obstacle clearance with the Discovery Sport, and it has a maximum wading depth of 23.6 inches.

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The new Range Rover Evoque continues the incredible tradition of sophistication and bold design that it’s been known for since the model was first introduced in 2011. This is a four-door model with a truly stunning interior and several different engines available, along with an MHEV mild hybrid system. With a 9-speed automatic transmission, the Evoque is a pleasure to drive and still offers excellent off-road functionality.

Within the Land Rover lineup, the Range Rover Evoque is not the absolute pinnacle of off-road performance, but it is a fantastic option for a lot of situations. The Evoque has an approach angle of 22.2 degrees, with a ramp angle of 20.7 degrees and a departure angle of 30.6 degrees. You get 8.4 inches of ground clearance with this model, and it offers 23.6 inches of wading depth. As you can see, this is great off-road performance, though it falls short of something like the Land Rover Discovery or Defender.

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

A silver 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is driving down a steep dirt road against a rock face, shown from the side.

Just one look at the Range Rover Velar is all it takes to see why so many people fall in love with these vehicles and swear by them. It has a bold, stunning exterior that is really like nothing else on the road. Inside, you gain access to a host of features that include sophistication and luxury beyond compare, and impressive technology, including a pair of 10-inch displays for the infotainment system.

For going off-road, the Range Rover Velar can be an excellent option, though it is not the absolute best in the Land Rover lineup. You get a 27.5-degree approach angle with the Velar, as well as a 24.9-degree ramp angle and a departure angle of 30.2 degrees. The Velar also offers 9.76 inches of off-road clearance and a wading depth of up to 25.5 inches.

2020 Land Rover Range Rover

As the flagship Range Rover model, this gorgeous SUV gives you everything you would expect from it and so much more. Whether you want a powerful engine, a luxurious and technologically advanced interior, or impressive towing power to take everything you need with you on a trip, the Range Rover has you covered. And when it comes to off-road performance, it lets you conquer the trail in a way that few other vehicles can match.

The Range Rover is the best Land Rover model for going off-road, thanks to an approach angle of 34.7 degrees, a ramp angle of 28.2 degrees, and a departure angle of 29 degrees. It also has an off-road clearance height of 11.7 inches and a wading depth of up to 35.4 inches. As you can see, this is the best option for going off-road, especially when tackling a trail that has a lot of uneven terrain and potential obstacles.

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

If you like the overall design and performance of the standard Range Rover, but find that you want something a bit more sleek and sporty, then the Range Rover Sport is an excellent choice. In terms of design and overall functionality, this gorgeous model is similar to the standard Range Rover. The sport focus on this model, however, makes it a bit more nimble, and it’s a fantastic choice for driving around town or going off-road.

In terms of off-road functionality, the Range Rover Sport comes very close to offering the incredible performance you find on the standard Range Rover, though it falls just slightly short. The Sport has an off-road approach angle of 33 degrees, a ramp angle of 25.7 degrees, and a departure angle of 30 degrees. Combine this with an off-road obstacle clearance height of 10.9 inches and a maximum wading depth of 33.4 inches, and you can see that the Range Rover Sport is one of Land Rover’s best overall options for hitting the trail. However, if you do want the absolute best, its best to consider the standard model.