I use my Rangie for a number of tasks: Limo, family wagon, van, off-road gun bus, dog carrier.

I went and had a nose around an L405 over the holidays and I was impressed...

...except with the boot. The space for putting dog and shooting kit in the boot is just not enough.

Which got me thinking what would I buy if I didn't buy an L405?

I want something comfortable and refined.

1. Toyota Landcruiser V8
   The wife has one. Solid but it is a truck to drive. It is ten years behind the Rangie in NVH.
   
2. Land Rover Discovery
   Er, no. Old tech and not as comfortable as the Rangie
   
3. Mercedes GL
   No split rear tailgate which is great for getting the dog in and out. Too big. But probably ticks all the other boxes.
   
4. Land Rover Defender
   I am really tempted - especially if I stuck all the Twisted bits on it. But the thought of a 250 mile drive (often needed before or after a shoot) does not appeal
   
5. Mercedes G
   Some people swear by them but they leave me cold
   
6. Range Rover Evoke
   Stick with me here - I only ever go shooting on my own or with one child. Buy a three door, rip out the rear seats, build a dog space and gun cabinet in there. But not enough ground clearance. And I lose the limo / family wagon mode.
   
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee
   Too small. Not really a luxury express
   
8. Porsche Cayenne
   Far, far too ugly
   
9. VW Touareg
   Better looking than its Porsche sibling. But no ride height adjustment.
   
10. BMW X5
    Too small
    
11. Audi Q7
    Long but not spacious - worse than the L405.
    
12. Keep the L322 forever
    Maybe the only choice. But I have a new car itch.
    

12.

Other than that;
The XC90 due for late this year (I think?) could be interesting? Not keen on their 4-pot only mantra though...
Also, don't discount the Disco, IMO does a pretty good L322 impression... the facelift is gross though
S350CDI and a lift to your peg
A6 Allroad: smooth riding and refined. Ground clearance only OK though...
VW Amarok... if ur considering a Defender then worth a look.

Also, if ur considering ripping the seats out of an Evoque, then why not just fold the seats down in an L405?

Second Campaj1's suggestion of just folding down the seats. If $$ is no object, check the lwb ones. A rooftop carrier is also good.

You could also think of the two cars the Range Rover comes closest to - the Defender and the Mercedes S class. You could get a nice, new S and use it to tow a nice little DEFENDER 90 CSW. Drive the S to the end of the tarmac, then while it shakes with fear, continue on in the 90...

Option 8 they are not ugly at all
http://www.topgear.com/uk/porsche/cayenne/road-test/turbo

^ I agree.....the recent incarnation is a superb car.....still no FFRR but ( and I include the L322)

The rip-the-seats out option was because the Evoke has a 3 door option - think of it as a luxury Defender 90.

Folding the seats down doesn't work as I want the dog in the boot. Along with my shooting kit.

LWB is not going to work off-road and is ugly. Also I suspect the boot is exactly the same, with the extra room going to rear passengers.

The Cayenne is still hideous to my eyes. That faux-911 front is just ridiculous.

Stick with what you know best, L322 you know there faults, even the cruiser has there little foible's but cost more to repair when they go wrong! If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

As above.
I would buy a run out autobiography, you know that's going to be fine for what you need and will still be desirable in another 4 years

 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Hybrid (V FAST)
2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 V8
2018 JCW Mini Cooper
2018 Skoda VRS

The Cayenne. I would agree the front end is not pretty, and I drive one! I also agree with all your other options and the dilemma is a difficult one that I found myself in.

It wasn't until I sat in and drove the Cayenne that I started to consider it as a replacement to my L322. The quality of engineering is first class and the combined handling and speed still amazes me. Nothing though compares to the luxury ride of the FFRR which still commands real presence.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/porsche/cayenne/...sel-driven

I just remind myself that, yes the face may be a bit ugly, but once you're inside and performing, it doesn't matter (reminds me of an ex not that pretty nymphomaniac girlfriend!)

Having said all this, if I had a spare £100k, I'd be driving a L405. Current MY2020
Gone: 1 x L405 and 2 x L322's

Surprised you think the L405 isnt big enough, most dimensions have been increased, not decreased, the new RRS however has a much smaller boot than the RR.

Have you done a measurement comparison between the models of RR then? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

They didn't have a tape measure. However, my dog fits inside my L322 when sitting on top of a big shoot box. His head room was almost the same when sitting on the floor (yes I took my dog along!)!

Here he is in the L322:

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

Out of interest, where did you get your dog box from? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I had a local cabinet maker knock it up for me. I can give you his number if you are interested (though I will be selling it if I buy an L405!).

Freelander for shooting bit cheaper than an Ewock and can still transport the family then you could have a nice sports car for you out the change  Mine was a blue one!

Perhaps you could think about a smaller dog...

Or, the new Touareg has height-adjustable air suspension and offroad 4x4 options (or standard on some models) that together should give you a good package. Not available with all engines. It's a great effort from VW though. Graham

____
Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey