Land Rover has always occupied the high end of the sport utility segment, and the LR4 continues the tradition without disappointing. The Land Rover’s off-road prowess combined with English luxury sets it apart from other would-be contenders. The LR4’s off-road credentials include all-wheel drive with traction control, a Terrain Response System that optimizes engine, transmission and suspension settings, and a two-speed electronic transfer gearbox with variable locking center differential. While the capabilities of the LR4 are beyond the needs of the majority of owners, there is a die-hard contingent of off-roaders that do make use the vehicle’s trail and rock-crawling ability.
The LR4 is powered by a 375hp 5.0 liter V8 with a torque rating of 375lb-ft. and is backed up by a six-speed automatic transmission. This kind of power motivates the 5,600lb+ vehicle with authority (0-60 acceleration in the mid-7 second range) although the economy suffers because of it. The LR4’s EPA rating is 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway, although a long highway trip returned almost 19mpg average per the trip computer. (premium fuel recommended) All this power means that properly equipped the LR4 can tow up to 7,700lb.
The test vehicle had a base price of $48,900 and was equipped with the HSE Lux package ($9,225) and Sirius satellite radio option for a total MSRP of $59,725. The HSE Lux package is the highest trim available, and includes premium leather seating, console cooler box, ambient interior lighting, Xenon headlights, power steering column adjust, 8-way power front seats with memory, 19” alloy wheels, and a 17-speaker 825watt Harmon Kardon sound system.
Other competitors in this range are BMW’s X5, Mercedes’ M-class and Audi’s Q7, although those three vehicles are available with diesel power for a significant increase in economy at the expense of some off-road capability. The LR4’s highway performance was exemplary; the vehicle floated along with a smooth and quiet ride while the suspension soaked up all but the worst pavement abnormalities. The high profile can make strong crosswinds a challenge and requires a higher degree of attention to keep from drifting out of the lane. Seating for driver and passengers couldn’t be more accommodating, front and back. Surprisingly the LR4’s third row seating is roomy enough for a six foot tall adult for longer trips. When not in use the second and third row seats fold flat into the floor to provide up to 90 cubic feet of cargo space. With the expanse of glass (including sunroof and two shaded glass panels) the visibility is exceptional, and finding a comfortable seating position is simple. The GPS navigation system proved relatively simple to operate and the commands were quite intuitive. Land Rover’s dual-zone climate control system is effective at maintaining comfortable temperatures when split between the front seat occupants.
The LR4 has an extensive list of standard safety features including antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags (including the third-row seats on HSE Lux package).
Due to the available power of the 5.0 liter V8 and its all wheel drive, the LR4 is a stout performer both on and off-road. The vehicle’s high profile and center of gravity mean the handling has its limits on corners and the driver must be careful with extreme maneuvers. The rewards for driving with normal restraint are an enjoyably luxurious vehicle with true “go anywhere” capability.
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