'08 LR2 follows trend toward smaller SUVs

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March 30, 2007

By Dan Lyons Motor Matters

Land Rover's latest model isn't the automaker's first compact sport utility vehicle, but it's certainly its best. The 2008 LR2 was preceded in the small sport utility ranks by the Freelander. The difference between Freelander and LR2 is the difference between "not quite" and "just right."

Stylewise and otherwise, LR2 draws heavily upon the influences of its big brothers, the LR3 and Range Rover Sport. Viewed side-on, there are familiar Land Rover styling cues like a stepped roofline and the clamshell bonnet. Overall, it's a chiseled look that nicely captures the family design DNA, just shot down to a smaller form.

The LR2 is every bit the off-roader that one would expect of a Land Rover. The stats tell the story. There are 8.2 inches of ground clearance below, and, at 29 and 32 degrees respectively, angles of approach and departure are excellent. LR2 can ford water up to 19.6 inches deep.

Providing the traction is a new, permanent All Wheel Drive system. Land Rover's Terrain Response system fine-tunes the driving dynamics to fit a variety of conditions. Drivers choose from General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts and Sand modes; each selected with the twist of a console-mounted dial. Under normal conditions, about 90 percent of engine power is delivered through the front wheels. However, the system automatically and continuously varies the amount of torque fore and aft, as needed.

Terrain Response is ably assisted by some smart electronics. Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Traction Control work to minimize slip. Roll Stability Control uses gyroscopic sensing to help prevent rollovers. Hill Descent Control automatically restricts speed on slippery descents, and Gradient Release Control assures that brake release on such downhill passages are progressive and not abrupt. Taken together, the package makes the LR2 capable and stable in a very wide range of driving surfaces and conditions.

Given the company's track record, the LR2's off-road prowess comes as no surprise. What raises eyebrows, however, is the performance on pavement. The LR2 is fun and responsive to drive on roads in a way that very few dual-duty vehicles can match, and fewer still for the $34,700 price tag.

Rolling on a new four-wheel independent suspension, the LR2 proves to be as agile handling as many cars, and possessor of a touring quality, smooth ride. A key conspirator in the LR2's drivability is the powertrain, consisting of a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Making 230 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 234 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,200 rpm, the engine has a fluid power flow at all engine speeds, and a healthy little growl when spurred. Zero-to-60 mph is accomplished in 8.4 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph. The six-speed transmission proves a very adept driving partner for the motor, shifting smoothly and distributing power evenly.

The optional CommandShift feature allows the driver to manually change gears on the floor-mounted shifter. In sport mode, the transmission's shift point mapping is changed to hold gears longer and downshift faster -- useful for spirited driving. The only disappointment that I found with the powertrain was fuel economy. I averaged 14 miles per gallon during a wide-ranging test drive, well below the company's combined average fuel consumption estimate of 25.2 mpg.

Inside, the LR2 is both comfortable and well finished. Land Rover mixes colors and textures of interior plastics agreeably. The LR2 is nicely equipped in standard trim. Given the amount of interior features on hand (and especially if you order the optional, touch screen Navigation System), the center stack suffers from a noticeable case of button busyness. As with all high content vehicles, care must be exercised to avoid distraction while driving.

LR2 seats four to five adults, and allows them to take along a generous amount of their belongings for the ride. Cargo capacity ranges from 26.7 cubic feet to 58.9 cubic feet. Lift-over height in back is low and the split rear seats fold almost flush with the load floor. Anything that can't fit within can be towed behind, provided that it doesn't weigh more than 3,500 pounds.

SUVs are trending smaller, but at the same time, sophisticated buyers are carrying larger expectations into their selection process. Right-sized and refined, the new LR2 is a dual-use compact SUV of uncommon versatility. Once they take a drive in the new Land Rover, I think that many premium compact SUV buyers are going to find that the "2" is "the one" for them.