Of all the opinions, how many have actually owned one?
I have had three recent RR's since 2011; 2 RR Sports and my current is a '17 full size RR HSE turbodiesel. As much as I liked the brand and was happy when they returned to the NAS market, I would never buy one until their reliability and quality improved. Then, after two needy and disappointing Grand Cherokees and a SAAB 97 (Trailblazer w/ SAAB badges...fit and finish durability that compared to a Chevette), I figured that if I was going to deal with their level of issues, I would get what I truly wanted.
Earlier LR/RR's certainly have a well deserved reputation for pain....
The Sports were good, both had a few minor issues at first, but soldiered on to nearly 100K each. The interior quality is excellent and they rode as quiet and solid as new. My current RR has been great, needing only a few software updates and a suspension air pump in ~44K miles. Friends who own late model vehicles have had similar experiences. All said, their reliability is fine now, but still I don't have the urge to own one past say 100K miles.
LR will never have Honda or Toyota quality levels, they can't for a lot of reasons, but they are very nice, very capable vehicles. You are right to do some research, so I'd also try to talk to other owners, don't get scared off by second (third?) hand rumors. Find a reputable local independent LR mechanic. If you want one, I wouldn't be afraid of a recent, low mileage one.
Ironically, the absolute
worse family car that we ever owned was an ML320.....