Pros
- Passenger and cargo room
- True off-road ability
Acceleration
6/10
The V8 delivers good acceleration in this weighty SUV. Land Rover says 7.5 seconds 0-60 mph, which feels about right to us. The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and offers timely downshifts when more power is called for.
Fuel Economy
2/10
No opportunity to measure. Land Rover requires premium-grade gas.
Ride Quality
7/10
LR4 rides comfortably in nearly any situation with good bump control and a minimum of excess body movement.
Steering/Handling/Braking
5/10
The steering is nicely weighted, the tires are grippy, and LR4 inspires confidence on road or off. The brakes are easy to modulate and provide strong stopping control. Over hill and dale, the LR4 is a billy goat, and the Terrain-Response system takes the guesswork out of most off-road driving.
Quietness
8/10
LR4 is impressively quiet for a large, upright SUV, and the noise levels inside are competitive with many premium-brand sedans. The V8 engine emits a satisfying growl during acceleration, but fades into the background at cruise. On the highway, only hints of road and wind noise are heard.
Controls
7/10
Gauges are clearly marked and easy to read, as is the analog clock. Most major controls use well-identified buttons and knobs that are easy to locate and reach. Some secondary controls are accessed through the available navigation system's touch screen. The navigation system itself is relatively simple to operate with intuitive on-screen menus. Setting Terrain Response, hill-descent control, and other off-road gear can puzzle the uninitiated.
Details
8/10
Interior materials are of high quality, and the assembly job looks first rate. The ambiance is more upscale outdoorsy than uptown opulent, but LR4's understated decor looks classy and is well suited to Land Rover's rugged pedigree.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
8/10
LR4 offers a commanding driving position with comfortable and upright seats. Headroom and legroom are ample. Excellent visibility is aided by the available obstacle-detection and perimeter-camera systems. Step-in is SUV acceptable, but the raised suspension setting can make entry more challenging for some folks.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
7/10
The 2nd- and 3rd-row seats are comfortable, with more than adequate headroom and legroom. Three adults can fit in the second row, but we wouldn't recommend it on long drives. Access to the 3rd row can be complicated by the tall step up and a narrow pass-through.
Cargo Room
9/10
The tall cargo hold has ample volume with no 3rd-row seat, and reasonably good load space with it. Both rear rows fold flat to create a spacious load floor. The clamshell-style tailgate is the subject of debate: Some testers praise its versatility, while others say it complicates loading and unloading. There are numerous useful bins and cubbies in the cabin, and HSE LUX models include a cooled compartment in the center console.
Value Within Class
6/10
In a class trending toward luxury-crossover SUVs, the tall, off-road-oriented LR4 may seem a bit out of place. In reality, most of the time it is used exactly the way its car-like competition is, and in that capacity, delivers good passenger and cargo room, along with unexpected levels of refinement and comfort. Used off road, LR4 easily ventures many places that would leave some competitors waiting for a tow truck. Ultimately, the LR4 may be challenged in the marketplace by perceptions more than reality, along with its thirst for premium-grade gas.
Highlights
The 2010 Land Rover LR4 replaces the LR3 as this British automaker's 7-passenger SUV. Though its exterior styling is similar to that of the 2005-2009 Land Rover LR3, LR4 has a redesigned interior and a new engine. The sole engine is a new 375-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, which replaces the LR3's 300-horsepower 4.4-liter V8. A 6-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. LR4 has all-wheel drive with low-range gearing and Land Rover's Terrain-Response system. This system has a console switch that enables the driver to change suspension and powertrain calibrations to accommodate normal driving, slippery pavement, mud, sand, and low-speed off-roading. Hill-descent control is also standard. Standard seating is for 5, and an optional 3rd-row bench increases passenger capacity to 7. The available LUX package includes 7-passenger seating, upgraded leather interior trim, Xenon headlamps with high-beam assist, a cooler box in the center console, upgraded harmon/kardon stereo system, and a memory system that saves the driver's seat, steering wheel, and mirror settings. The LUX-Plus package adds a "Surround-Camera" system that shows the driver nearly the entire perimeter of the exterior on the navigation screen. This evaluation based on preview test drives.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium-Midsize SUVs are similar in size and construction to Midsize SUVs. Most, in fact, are gilded versions of Midsize SUVs; though a few are exclusive upscale designs.
Our Best Buys include the Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, and Lexus RX. Our Recommended pick is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Acura MDX, Acura ZDX, Cadillac SRX, Land Rover LR4, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lexus GX 460, Lexus RX, and Lincoln MKT. The BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Porsche Cayenne add a gas/electric hybrid model to their lineups for 2010.