2008 Land Rover LR2
by Rebecca Antioco - 09/07

Befitting the moniker, Land Rovers have traditionally been thought of as rugged explorers, plowing their way over and through rough terrain in deserts, forests and anywhere other vehicles dare not tread. The new LR2, a replacement for the discontinued Freelander, is the company’s first obvious attempt to cater to those who spend most of their driving time navigating the urban jungle rather than blazing new trails.

Still, off-roading is in Land Rover DNA. The LR2 comes in one model with standard four-wheel drive and a Terrain Response System that allows the driver to choose from general, snow, mud or sand settings to optimize performance on those diverse surfaces. Equipped with a 230-horsepower inline six cylinder engine, paired with six-sped automatic transmission with three shift modes, the LR2 has decent but not exceptional acceleration on the road. The drive is compliant, but there is significant body lean when cornering

The interior is understated with quality leather and wood trim, but lacks the sophisticated look one might expect in a luxury SUV. I was bothered by a lack of a storage console and the knob-adjusted armrests in the front cabin. With the seats up, LR2 sports a modest 27 cubic feet of storage space, 59 with the seats folded flat. So, you’ll have to choose between companions and cargo on those off-roading or camping trips.

On the upside, the LR2 is well-equipped with amenities like power accessories, dual pane sunroof with integrated blinds, dual-zone climate control, bottle holders in the doors, tilt and telescoping steering wheel and a split folding rear seat. It is flush with safety features: a seven-airbag restraint system, traction control, dynamic stability control, hill descent control, emergency brake assist, cornering brake control and roll stability control. The LR2 has not been crash-tested.

A lighting package ($1050) and technology package with DVD-navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, premium audio system and satellite radio ($3500) brought the price of our tester to just over $40,000, including destination charges.

Competitors in this segment include the more expensive BMW X3 and the similarly priced Acura RDX. Neither is meant for off-road use, but compare favorably as daily commuters. Buyers looking for a vehicle that can perform well both on and off road, but don't have to carry a lot of gear or more than four passengers would do well to give the LR2 a look. If you’re planning to stay on the pavement and don’t need the caché of the Land Rover name, there are less expensive options worth considering.