Full Fat Range Rover shoot out: L322 4.4 TDV8 vs L405 4.4 SDV8 

Heard it summed up well from Matt at High Peak Autos: "The L405 is a better car, the L322 is a better Range Rover"

You can run the battery flat easily on the facelift L322 ( as Jeremy Clarkson) it isn’t powering the tailgate, it’s that once you open the tailgate or the drivers door, it powers up all the ECUs. That’s what pulls the battery down.

Thanks James loved the video. I would say the originality of your L322 wins it hands down for me. Looking forward to more. Thanks

Little tip for L322 - get the doors sound proofed at a car audio specialist. Not expensive and makes a massive difference to the overall cabin quietness. One thing I haven’t been able to solve is the wind noise around sunroof frame when blind open.

Hi my 2011 L322 has the rear reclining seats and the ability to also move the front sear forward from the rear…it’s great!

It has to be remembered that the 322 owes its existence and design to Ford and BMW. That is why the 405 has such a change .. it builds on the success of the 322 ... Its also well to consider that the 322 rates highly on the resale market despite its age.

Would be nice to see a similar comparison but with the newer, face lifted L405 (2018 on). Personally I think it was a big improvement over the early model you used. 👍

Brilliant video. I have had my 2011 L322 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE for 9 months now, no regrets. I was a RR newbie at the time and nearly bought a 405. I didn't really know the differences between the models but decided to save myself £10k and get a well looked after L322. Totally get your comments about the more utilitarian feel. I came out of a 2020 Ford Ranger Wildtrak and it wasn't as big a change as you might expect. Sure it rides better, feels better, is posher but it has the go anywhere confidence I had in the Ranger. In terms of reliability I had to replace starter motor at 84000 miles and just had a rear near side ABS sensor go at 90000 miles. Total cost of a grand at RR specialist in my village (another reason I was confident in getting a RR - only a 5 minute walk to the garage!)

I was a bit sus about L405 but having had 2 both supercharger Autobiography I’d recommend them all day long 😊

Great video and comparison. I've always wanted to own a Range Rover and bought my first 2007 L320 in November. Would like to see more on the L320 but definitely love the L322.

Great video mate Very informative

Good video probably a better L322 model than the gangster L405 entry level model .

Thank you for that, I have a L322 since 2016 , I intend to keep it but viewing a L405 tomorrow and almost put off by the comparison as I know I will prefer my old car, maybe I should buy a new Defender instead but it doesn't have the drop down tailgate otherwise I love it's usability.

Great job, thanks

First time watching, and I loved it. Good info, no flannel.

The full depth top tailgate is a put off for me on the 405 ... the half height 322 is better in the car park / garage etc. I have the 2012 Vogue SE full spec facelift TDV8 ... friends have the 320 sport ... Evoque ... Velar ... and TBH - I am not swapping out my 322 !!

I've owned both. On the tailgate the L405 is programmable on height so you can set it to only open to your garage height whereas the L322 is set to the struts. The outer edges parking is aided in the L405 with all around cameras available that you don't get int he L322 and of course both have audio sensors. LR didn't design the air filters, they are Ford as are the engines. The good thing is genuine Ford parts are usually cheaper than genuine LR parts. Worth noting is all L405's are Euro 6 diesels with the addition of ad blue. The L405 has a tailgate push button by the right knee and the battery is underneath the air compressor with the ancillary battery behind the right cover in the boot space. The biggest ball ache with battery change is it needs to be coded to the car to let it know there is a new battery. I did my own maintenance on my old L322 and do on L405 and wouldn't say there is much difference between the two. I found the L322 drove bigger than the L405 which is bigger drives smaller, until you come to parking. The big upside of the later Euro 6 L405 cars is the road tax is half the earlier TDv8 L322. Of the two, I can see the L322 becoming a future classic whereas the L405 will probably fade into oblivion. I like the L322 a lot which is why I went on to buy a L405. I don't feel the same urge to stay with the marque in the future to go on and buy a later model.

Great vid, love the walk round vids, 405 had pan am roof and still appeared dark (trim noted), the camera mount actually highlights the difference in ride as was less bouncy in the 405 than in the 322. I'm with you on choice...322 WM for me in black with ivory and black piping. Consider the dpf "cleaned" and egr "cleaned" as well as Inlet manifold rinsed out also. Great vid 👌

Great Video James. I agree with a comment above… and your comment. The 322 is a better RR, and is akin to being the Master of a Cruise Liner. I find the seats in a 322 are almost defining themselves! Will I have a 405, yes, but not one with any form of Hybrid Tech, & will keep my 322. Good Job

Thanks for the video. Have owned and loved both. Think they are both awesome in their own ways and only sold the 322 as it’s not ULEZ compliant. One point - the oil dilution issue you mention I don’t think applies to the 4.4 V8 you tested, only the 3.0 V6. Thanks.

Really enjoyed the comparison. I was recently tempted toward a 2019 L405 but decided to stick with my 2012 L322. I do my own maintenance and I’ve just about got it down to a tee on the L322. I like tech in cars so in 5 years time I may jump up to the L460 for the latest driver aids and skip the L405 all together.

the boot open button is on the RHS just below the light switch and tyhe illumination control is next to it I had a 2013 SDV8 Autobiography for 10 years traded it in for a new RR last summer and I am still missing it. I also bought a SVA Dynamic in 2017 and still have it - for my money both are much better cars than the 322

I’ve had both and loved both! L322 downside was not ULEZ friendly and the rust, sounds a fair bit more tractor like than the SDV8 as well. But I loved it and was sad to see it go (2012 Westminster) Currently in 2017 SDV8, has been more troublesome than the L322 and I totally agree about the view/bonnet etc much more purposeful. But overall it’s a far better car - the dynamic response system is fantastic compared against the boat like tank, but also being a boat like tank has a certain appeal! So in short.. Buy both 😂

Great video. I had a 4.2 SC l322 years ago then a got the 3.6 Diesel which I have had for over 10 years now and I love it. I had it mapped and EGR deleted many years ago which improves no end. But now with nearly 200k on the clock I am thinking of getting a new one but not sure which to go for, the updated 322 or the 405 with a 4.4 engine? But nice to see a video on the difference between the 3.6 and the 4.4 in the L322. Cheers Steve

Picked up an l405 a week ago after owning a 2008 l322 for 3 years, completely different car and I’ve yet to warm to it, feels like I’ve given up a Range Rover and bought a newer normal car. I’ll give it another month but right now I feel a lot of regret.

Brill Vid ...I,ll keep my L322!!

Rusty rear arches and tailgate, or a snapped crank. Take your choice.😃

James has anyone ever said you have more than a passing resemblance to Baron Bon Grumble?

Ive been lucky to own 2 l322 loved them both. But im looking at getting a L405 And personally its a Range Rover that has grown on me, also sitting in them without hoping between them the 405 seems extremely close and improved. Im also wanting a car that will last me a long time so im looking at around 50k-80k miles and full service history 1 owner. And I am after some modern comforts like apple CarPlay without modding it in. But both are to me equally good and capable depending on vue and needs. I’ve also found another channel that dose home mantanace and shows what to do. And seems fairly similar easer and awkward in different ways but not that much of a difference. I do get in ways what you where saying and maybe a little biased but understandable.

Could you please do a discussion on l322 insurance as I am hoping being older they are not affected in the same way as newer ones. I have had two L322 3.6tdv8s and fancy a 4.4tdv8 however if insurance has gone silly ill think twice. A work colleague has a a nice 2011 4.4tdv8 and he was told by NFU if he hadn't been insured already with them they wouldn't have insured him. Its passing his every day at work that makes me miss mine.

Nicely presented video with plenty of useful information. 👍. Do you ever get involved with Range Rover Sport models?

A really informative video. Thanks. Where would you stand if given the choice of the 3.6 versus the 4.4 V8. Unfortunately I keep on looking at these now😂😂

Under the dash, right of the steering wheel.

James, the L322 for me all day long and everyday of the week. Always looking forward to your next video. Good job!

I have a 2012 Westminster also and I really like the car. I do look at the design of the L405 and admire it but the prices in Ireland are off the charts. A 2 seat commercial 2016 L405 4.4 is making €52,000 So for now I’ll live with and love my L322. I’ve a few jobs to do to it but I’ve put up several thousand miles now and it’s been a joy.

I have just bought a 2014 sport autobiography. And to b honest I wish i bought a l322 now. However once i am ready to sell the sport i am still confused whitch way to go l322 or 405. Just something about the 322 pulls you towards it. But the prestige of the 405. I will say this thou if i go 322 James after watching a few videos on RU-vid i can c your not a cowboy. So it would be between you and vogue center in Oldham where I would buy from. All the best m8 from phil

Can you connect android phone through that lead ?

That runner should have been on the other side of the road , always face oncoming traffic .😅

I have had a classic, p38 4.6HSE and now have a 2010 preproduction 4.4 tdv8. The one thing I have hated on all of them is the tailgate. The amount of time you are going to sit on it to the amount of time it gets in the way of loading anything into the boot is just a pain. To reach the front or half way into the boot, it is necessary to have to climb onto the tailgate and crawl into the boot. Just because the first had a design flaw 30 years ago is not a reason to still keep it.

Knew you were gonna go with the L322 right from the off, your biased was evident that early but each to their own! Your mistake was using a “murdered out” L405 which most of us hate however an Autobiography with ivory interior over black is a whole different space to sit in, much more classy and sophisticated and therefore would’ve been a much fairer comparison. The L405 is just night and day in every way to the L322, that rotting ladder chassis and the extra weight not to mention the mandraulic rear tailgate…… why when you can go electric all the way?? The AB spec comes with so much more refinery, wooden heated steering wheel, deployable side steps, radar cruise, photochromatic mirrors, centre console fridge, rear entertainment/tv’s, reclining rear seats which are heated and cooled, 4 zone auto climate control and timed climate/parked heat 🔥 Get the 4.4 SDV8 and you have Dynamic Stability Control through the bends and you don’t need to hear the engine! Get it remapped to stage 1 and you beat the Golf R’s, Audi S3’s in swift almost silence so much so you can hear their tears fall as you disappear with 400 bhp and 820 Nm of torque under yr right foot. It’ll climb mountains and wade through 3 feet of water no problem, why would you ever want to keep an old one?!?! 🤷🏻‍♂️😎