Once Land Rover's smallest model, now the LR2 crossover is simply the least expensive thanks to the introduction of the Range Rover Evoque. The LR2 was recently treated to a modest facelift and also received some revised trim inside and out.
Most notably, the LR2 gained a new front bumper and grille designed to bring it more in line with Land Rover’s other current offerings. Its wheel lineup was revised with new designs as well.
Land Rover also tweaked its badge; no longer gold on a dark green background, it is now silver over dark green. The basic shape and style remains as it has for decades.
Inside, the LR2 benefited from revised seats and redesigned instruments. European models gained new cloth seat trim, while North American-specification LR2s retain their standard leather hides.
Technical highlights of the LR2 include a new 3.2-liter inline-six that provides zero to 60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds. Output is 230 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 234 pound-feet of torque at 3200 rpm.
The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover's CommandShift offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode for faster, more aggressive gear changes.
This powertrain combo is good for fuel economy of 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Like other Land Rovers, the LR2 offers an elevated driving position and plenty of window area for a good view of the world outside. It also features the company's "stadium seating" layout, where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants, for increased visibility.
Cargo space is 59 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 26.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up.
The body is a carlike monocoque structure, with enough stiffness to provide confident handling on-road and a solid feel off-road. The suspension is fully independent and uses modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC) -- a technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over even in extreme conditions.
Although the LR2 is often viewed as a road-friendly crossover, it offers a number of features geared specifically for true off-roading. These include Land Rover's unique Terrain Response system, standard all-wheel-drive, and the patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.
Trim Level Breakdown
The LR2 is offered in base, HSE and HSE LUX trim levels.
The base model LR2 comes standard with leather upholstery, power front seats, dual zone automatic climate control, a two-part panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition, bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive front lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers and rear park distance control.
The HSE brings a nine-speaker, 320-watt Alpine AM/FM/CD sound system with HD radio and Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Stepping up to the top-spec HSE LUX adds an upgraded 12-speaker, 380-watt Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 Surround Sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer along with softer, more supple Windsor leather upholstery.
Options include a DVD-based navigation system with a touch-screen display and a Climate Comfort package with heated front seats, heated windows and heated windshield-washer jets.
Occupant Safety
All LR2 models come equipped with dual front, side and full-length side curtain airbags along with a driver’s knee airbag, traction and stability control systems, electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist.
Key Competitors
The LR2 competes against a number of more powerful and fuel efficient small crossover rivals like the BMW X3, Acura RDX, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60.