Overview & Reviews

As consumers gravitate toward car-based crossover SUVs, manufacturers are rolling out even more models to meet demand. Luxury-brand automakers have been focusing on introducing small crossover utility vehicles, and one of the first to join this segment was the Land Rover LR2.

The LR2's small size makes it maneuverable in urban environments. At the same time, the LR2 still retains the superior off-road ability for which Land Rovers are known. This dual-purpose approach leaves the Land Rover LR2 in a somewhat compromised position, however. Its on-road performance disappoints, as the LR2 lacks both the straight-line performance and on-road handling feel of its competitors. For the small group of consumers who want a small luxury SUV with a fair amount of all-terrain capability, these sacrifices may have been acceptable when it was introduced, but with Land Rover's stylish and well-rounded Evoque coming on line, the LR2's strengths have faded.

Current Land Rover LR2
The Land Rover LR2 is available in a single trim level. Motivation comes from a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 230 horsepower and 234 pound-feet of torque. The sole transmission choice is a six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard.

With its reputation for off-road performance to uphold, Land Rover endowed the LR2 with technologies to make it both capable and confident when the journey is off the beaten path. Chief among these is Terrain Response, which is standard on the LR2. Terrain Response adapts the responses of the vehicle's engine, transmission, AWD system, suspension electronics, and stability and hill descent control systems to match the demands of the terrain. It optimizes drivability and comfort as well as maximizing traction. All the driver has to do is select from one of four driving conditions via a rotary knob, and the LR2's computers automatically optimize the vehicle's systems for the selected setting.

The LR2 has a significantly less luxurious cabin than its Land Rover and Range Rover siblings, not to mention its competition. On the upside, many of its standard features are often optional on competitors. These include: keyless ignition/entry; a panoramic dual-panel sunroof with one-touch control; front and rear foglights and power headlamp washers; rain-sensing wipers; rear parking sensors; power leather seats; 18-inch alloy wheels and dual-zone climate control. Notable optional features include a navigation system, memory seating, bi-xenon adaptive front lighting, heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio and a surround-sound audio system.

In reviews and road tests, we've found the Land Rover LR2 to be down on power. When combined with this vehicle's relatively hefty curb weight, it's no wonder that acceleration seems mediocre for a luxury SUV. Meanwhile, the LR2 is notable for a compliant suspension compatible with off-road mobility. At the same time, the pronounced body roll and nose dive that results doesn't deliver the kind of sportiness that people expect on pavement, although outright cornering grip and braking distances do not suffer, and the ride quality is comfortable.

If your intent is to take your small luxury crossover SUV off-road, then the LR2 should be near the top of your consideration list. Though the soft suspension settings compromise a sporty performance on the pavement, the LR2 still delivers superior traction and control on light- and medium-duty trails. And while the LR2 lacks low-range gearing, the Terrain Response system does indeed give the driver a high level of confidence when the going gets rough, bridging the performance gap between the light-duty AWD systems on most car-based SUVs and the dual-range 4WD systems on more traditional SUVs.

Used Land Rover LR2 Models
The Land Rover LR2 debuted for 2008. For that model year alone, it was available in a base SE trim level, which varied little from the HSE.

Though the LR2 is technically in its first generation, Land Rover's first compact utility, sold in this country from 2002-'05, was known as the Freelander and was similar in size and styling to the present model.

User Reviews:

• 

  LR-2, a great vehicle for all occasions! - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By Fred - November 29 - 3:36 am

  Car is a bargain for the money. Lots of thought went into it, lots of standard equipment. Engine is good, not overly robust, but good. Road characteristics are great and car is quiet. Seating position is very good. HVAC system is excellent. Car should go a long way to erase old stereotypes of Land Rovers. Liked the fact that Ford owned company, dont know how the new owner, TATA will favor. High-intensity headlight option package is terrific, worth the money.

• 

  Baby Rover - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By Chris Nordstrom - July 7 - 5:40 am

  It is sad to read the bad reviews by some owners. I have had many vehicles over the years (including other Land Rovers), but have to say this has been a great vehicle so far. I have owned the vehicle since April and to date have 12,000 miles on it with no problems. Ride, comfort and handling are all great. I average any where from 18-24 MPG depending my combined driving. Better fuel economy would be nice, but it seems to be on par with others in its class and engine size.

• 

  Love the car, but - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By Russ - April 26 - 6:53 am

  We bought the car in Oct 07 fully loaded. We have had the car in the shop 13 different time to repair things like sensors, temp sensor, tire pressure sensor, occupancy sensor on passenger seat (still not working right). We have had many problems with the bluetooth. They put a new module and microphone (still not working right). Navigation problem, not to mention weather stripping and other trim parts replaced. Front drivers seat was replaced after leather cracked. Front windshield had a stress fracture that they replaced. The car has been in the shop the last 5 days they are saying it needs a fuel pump and maybe more. not sure.

• 

  1st Land Rover - 2010 Land Rover LR2
  By bobdb - February 24 - 8:04 am

  Ive had it for 2 months and love this suv. It was a loaner car w/1200 miles so I got it very cheap, just under $26K. Great size, smooth quiet ride. Mileage isnt what Id like, about 15 local, close to 25 hwy. Not as good as my Jetta, but better than my Tahoe.

• 

  1st car bought outside the "big" 3 - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By ccaparelli - August 18 - 11:33 am

  Having owned 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees and a Ford Explorer, this was the first SUV Ive owned outside of the "Big" 3. Needless to say, I have been extremely pleased with my LR2 so far. Ive put just under 7,000 miles on it and have averaged 18 mpg city and 23/24 mpg highway, using standard fuel (87 oct) with no noticeable pinging/knocking. The interior may not be as pretty as a BMW, but it is very practically designed. Vision from the drivers seat is fantastic,very few blind spots. The nav system is very interactive and works great, and the sound system, although a little light on bass, is very good. Acceleration is a bit sluggish, but its an SUV with good fuel economy, not a corvette

• 

  Cons and Pros - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By mgur1 - June 22 - 3:50 am

  Just returned fully loaded LR2 after lease with 32K on it. After first six months was thinking to keep it. Sluggish acceleration was only one thing bothered me. On a highway you can use a sport mode to go uphill or to pass another vehicle, but in a city it doesnt help. Soon multiple recalls and electronical problems started building up like snowball and that turned me off. Steering pump broke, heated seats element burned, sunroof went off the rails, check engine light, air pressure gages mulfunctioned, fuel gage drops on zero and "Low Fuel" warning beeps with more than half tank of gas. Dealer fixed it, after two weeks got same thing. Bluetooth drops signal very often

• 

  Most Bang for the Buck in this Segment - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By PM - January 17 - 9:43 pm

  It looks great, rides great and seats 4 or 5 more comfortably, with more elbow room and an overall more spacious feel than the BMW X3 or Acura RDX. Body is very rigid and conveys "bank-vault" solidity. Acceleration is more than adequate in real world conditions (even if on paper it seems slow by comparison). Handling is more truck like than the others, but that has some charm. Braking is excellent, though as with cornering theres a fair amount of body dive/roll. MPG is worse than I expected both highway and city. I average about 18 overall. I have had multiple, though generally minor, problems that resulted in trips to the dealer. But overall a better deal -- and much more unique.

• 

  Love it, but worth the $$$ ? - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By bluerover - August 5 - 4:13 am

  My girlfriend and I leased this car in CA in Sep 07. WE LOVE IT! Simple yet elegant interior. Handles extremely well on and off road. Moved to New Orleans, handles the killer pot holes so well and takes water half way up the doors w/o flooding! So far, not a single problem. Looked at BMW and others, LR2 was hands down the best deal. Lease is up and gf is so upset about turning it in, we are looking into buying it. But I am concerned about maintenance expense as it ages. (We only have 21K miles and all maint was free during lease.) If money was no concern, I would keep this car without any hesitation, but for the pot-holed street of New Orleans I would rather have a cheap beater.

• 

  I think I bought a lemon - 2008 Land Rover LR2
  By DLW - February 27 - 9:43 am

  I loved my LR2 so much, until numerous electrical issues, having to get it towed twice, $900.00 break jobs. The car looks great inside and out, but I have had nothing but problems with it and it is exceptionally expensive to service. Even oil changes...can only be done by the dealer. I would not recommend this car, unless you have a lot of expendable income you would like to blow on service issues!

• 

  Very Nice for the price - 2009 Land Rover LR2
  By Willy - October 30 - 9:20 pm

  IT is a very nice car if you are looking for smaller SUV. there are lots of competition from Medz, Lex, BMW, Volvo, Acura ect. But the price is very fair for what you get. It is more like a truck than the other car- based. But still rides nice. Eventhough it is the lowest end Land Rover, it has the look and feel of the more e xpensive one, like the Sport.