It was a very different car. If you wanted the absolute largest, you bought American. Even in 2026, Range Rovers are small compared to what GM has to offer, but in the 1980s, the difference would've been even bigger since the Suburban and its derivatives have grown less. Go back to the early 80s or 70s and the Range Rover wasn't even offered with 4 doors yet, it was even smaller.

Put it this way: A Volkswagen Golf estate is now about the same size as the first 4 door Range Rovers. A regular Golf is a tiny bit shorter than the original Range Rovers (2 door). Current VW Passat is significantly bigger.