The LR2 delivers Range Rover bragging rights in a mid-priced go-anywhere, do-everything Land Rover wrapper.
Land Rover has been manufacturing extraordinary on-road/off-road vehicles, now known as SUVs, for almost 65 years. The first Land Rover debuted in 1948, introducing “utility” vehicles with unrivalled strength and durability to the military and the public worldwide. It is estimated that two-thirds of all these unstoppable vehicles are still at work – many of them in some of the most extreme conditions and inhospitable places on earth. Today Land Rover/Range Rover offers incredible lineups of go-everywhere vehicles, ranging from the stylish Concept Car-like Evoque to the full-size ultra luxurious Range Rover Autobiography. In the middle is the LR2 that carries the cache of the high-end Range Rovers at a more affordable price.
With a basic MSRP of $35,700, the LR2 is competitively priced with typical mid-range SUVs which do not offer many of the LR2’s luxury features, status branding and, more importantly, technical features which allow it to safely negotiate serious off-road situations. Standard equipment includes many legendary on-road/off-road features: Terrain Response System, Permanent Intelligent AWD w/Traction Control (4ETC), Haldex Coupling w/Front-to-Rear Torque Split (continuously variable), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Cornering Brake Control. The LR2 is equipped with seven airbags.
At first glance and when you’re behind the LR2’s wheel, it looks and feels like a premium-priced Range Rover. Our tester, a Orkney Grey (looks way better than it sounds!) was equipped with the available Climate Comfort Pack ($750), HSE Luxury Package ($4,950) and the excellent DVD Sat-Nav system with seven-inch high-def touch screen ($1,900). With standard transportation fee, it carried a retail sticker of $44,150 placing it at the top of the mid-priced SUV marketplace.
Driving from Manhattan to Woodstock, VT and back, we put approximately 600 miles on our LR2 and surprisingly bested the LR2’s EPA fuel economy estimates of 15 City/22 Highway. Running regular gas, we recorded 24-plus mpg at 70-75 mph on the highway using cruise control and hardly ever saw under 17 mpg on local roads. Impressive numbers for a loaded luxurious SUV that, with the Command Shift six-speed automatic in Sport Shift mode, could sprint to 60 mph in the mid-eights. Certainly not class-leading acceleration, but more than adequate for almost all driving situations. Whatever the LR2 lacks in acceleration, it more than makes up for in absolute class leading safety under difficult and often dangerous on and off-road situations.
Unlike Range Rover body-on-frame models, the LR2 is built on a unitized platform shared with Volvo’s XC60 that was developed when Ford owned both brands. Also from that program is the LR2’s silky smooth aluminum DOHC 3.2-Liter inline Six, almost hidden by a composite cover. With two overhead cams and four-valve heads, it generates 230 horsepower and delivers 234 foot-pounds of torque at a very usable 3,200 rpm. The LR2’s top speed is a tick under 125 mph.
The 2012 LR2 is responsive and nimble, easy to drive in congested city conditions, and offers good passenger and cargo (with the 60/40 split rear seat down) space. It has proper road manners as would be expected for any vehicle carrying Land Rover badging! While great for cruising and certainly can hold its own off-road, the LR2 was not engineered - like the body-on-frame Range Rover - for extreme off-roading. However, the LR2 is extremely competent and can make it through almost 20 inches of standing water with its impressive 8.3 inches of ground clearance. And it does not exhibit excessive body roll associated with many truck-like SUVs.
Land Rover’s LR2 is priced at the top of the mid-range SUV marketplace, yet delivers much of the luxury, and certainly the bragging rights, normally associated with top-of-the market vehicles. Its lines are slightly softened classic Range Rover with the latest styling cues, still boxier than many of its competitors. The HSE option adds considerable luxury and stylish features at a price, almost five grand, and elevates the LR2 to the top of the class. Unfortunately the package does not include a much-needed rear view camera that would really enhance this vehicle’s appeal. The seven-inch High-Def Nav system screen is ready and waiting for a camera!
While more at home on-road than off, the LR2 excels in the areas of safety and security, both on and off-road, and delivers much of the look, feel and appeal of Range Rover’s larger, more luxurious, higher performance and much more expensive models. And it does all this at a lower price point. Check it out!
For more information about the Land Rover LR2, please visit http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/lr2/
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