New Range Rover vs. Certified Pre-Owned Range Rover: Which Is Right for You?
In many ways, there’s no beating a new Range Rover. When purchased fresh off of the line, you know that you’re getting exactly what you want, equipped with the newest and best features, and packed with everything you need to drive around Louisville with the best luxury value on the road. However, for many people, a certified pre-owned, or CPO, Range Rover has become a viable alternative. CPO vehicles are a unique intersection of affordability and quality; by rule, they’re less than five years old and have fewer than 60,000 miles on them, and they’ve also been subjected to thorough inspections to further guarantee their status. Which is right for you? Land Rover Louisville is here to help with this guide, which explains each buying path, including their advantages and disadvantages. We look forward to working with you!
New Vehicles
There are several reasons to buy a new Range Rover, some obvious, others less so. Perhaps the single most important is related to the idea of choice. There is certainly a Range Rover to fit every driver, but finding that precise fit is a lot easier when the starting point is every vehicle built for the current model year, and not just those from previous years that happened to be sold by a previous owner. With four models, several trim levels on each, and numerous other options like paint colors, wheelbase length, features, and upgrade packages, there are countless ways to customize and configure a new Range Rover.
When buying new, you’ll also be the first to enjoy upgrades to the line. Each year, Range Rover adjusts its offerings to enhance the driving experience, making its most recent models the best way to gain access to the latest in the brand’s pioneering luxury and technology. You’ll also be covered by a factory warranty covering four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, which includes the standard bumper-to-bumper and drivetrain components, and an additional corrosion perforation warranty for six years. Finally, there’s the simple fact that a new Range Rover begins with a clean mileage slate and the greatest possible number of remaining years.
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicles
Sure, a lower price point is one reason to seek out a certified pre-owned Range Rover, but when you purchase one, you can rest assured that you’re acquiring something far beyond a typical used car. For starters, only vehicles with fewer than 60,000 miles and less than five years old are eligible for the program, which ensures that CPO Range Rovers, while not brand new, aren’t very far off of it. Furthermore, any detected deficiencies must be corrected by an approved retailer, using only genuine OEM parts. Once those hurdles have been cleared, the program requires passing a rigorous 165-point inspection. Using the latest tools and technologies, everything from the paintwork to the engine is examined, ahead of a final road test. Only then can a used Range Rover become a CPO Range Rover.
Naturally, there are tons of benefits for buyers on the other side. Foremost among those is the Range Rover certified pre-owned warranty, which covers the vehicle for up to two years and stacks on top of whatever may be left of the vehicle’s original factory warranty. It covers repairs for sudden and unexpected mechanical or electrical failures, and all work is performed by certified technicians. However, far beyond that, the program also includes roadside assistance and even reimbursement for lodging and transportation expenses incurred as a result of a warrantable issue.
New Range Rover vs. Certified Pre-Owned Range Rover — Which is Better?
New Vehicle Advantages
Freedom of Choice
With a new Range Rover, you can literally build your perfect vehicle from the ground up using website tools, and including your preferred trim levels and options, then find a fresh-out-of-assembly match for it waiting at a dealer. Buying new stands alone in its ability to deliver a Range Rover that is uniquely you.
The Newest Safety and Tech
Along the way, buying new also grants access to the latest and best available features, as well as the most luxury value possible. Every new model year brings notable advancements, particularly in the areas of driver assistance and connectivity, and the only way to ensure they end up in your Range Rover is to grab a new one.
New Vehicle Disadvantages
Higher Prices
There’s really no way around it: a new Range Rover costs more than a certified pre-owned one. This, of course, reflects the incredible value of the brand’s offerings, and it’s worth mentioning that — should you choose to sell it someday — it will likely still be newer than a CPO Range Rover and command a higher resale price.
Hidden Costs
The price of buying new extends well beyond the MSRP. It’s well known, for example, that new vehicles depreciate significantly from the moment they’re driven off of the lot, and financial penalties can also be found in things like higher insurance premiums and registration fees.
Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Advantages
Advantageous Price Point
Though not quite as cheap as a non-certified used vehicle, going the certified pre-owned route is a fantastic way to get an almost-new Range Rover for what can be significantly less money. It’s also worth mentioning that CPO Range Rovers often receive very competitive financing rates, as lenders trust the assessment of their future value.
Peace of Mind
Under the certified pre-owned program, the anxiety related to buying a Range Rover that someone else has already driven disappears. Thanks to strict age and mileage requirements, as well as a 165-point inspection that even includes the interior mood lighting, any CPO Range Rover can be considered as good as new for most purposes.
Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Disadvantages
Limited Protection
A certified pre-owned Range Rover comes with an outstanding warranty that covers repairs for sudden and unexpected issues, and helps with related issues like roadside assistance and ancillary costs. However, it’s not quite as comprehensive as the factory warranty that will be at least partly expired by the time the vehicle makes it to the CPO program.
Less Selection
In something of a classic case of an advantage turning into a disadvantage, the rigorous nature of the CPO process, including the age and inspection requirements, means that fewer vehicles make it to the other side. As a result, you may experience some difficulty finding your desired combination of model, color, options, and price.