Land Rover’s LR4 the Very Best
I’ve test driven several iteration of Land Rover’s LR4 and the 2010 version just might be the best – so far. It’s gone through several name changes, the Discovery was the last moniker, but no matter the name it just keeps getting better.
I think the real improvement this time round is the engine. My test vehicle was powered by a 5.0-liter direct fuel injection V8 that made 375 horsepower and a matching 375 foot-pounds of torque and it was mated to an adaptive six speed automatic transmission.
The new design is evolutionary not revolutionary. In other words, you’ll recognize this Land Rover as a Land Rover. But the design was smoother, edges were rounded and the sport-utility had a much more contemporary look and feel.
LEDs now encircle the headlamps for a much more distinctive look at night. LED’s are also used for brake lights as well as tail lights and turn signals. My test vehicle had 19-inch wheels but 20-inch rims are available as a factory option.
There was the luxury option package that included a seven seat set up, full size spare tire, adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, Bluetooth, a navigation system, a backup camera, park assistance, cooler box and premium audio system, keyless entry and pushbutton start and stop.
Land Rover utilized more wood, there’s a choice, in the interior and that gave my test vehicle that luxurious ambiance of luxury that I expect of a vehicle that cost close to $60,000. You would be surprised at how many SUVs there are in this price range that don’t have the same interior sophistication.
The controls have been simplified, the interior has been softened, the console is now tilted toward the driver and the new interior for LR4 combines smooth, flowing surfaces with a significant reduction in the complexity and number of controls. It provides a much softer more elegant all-round interior, but still in keeping with the vehicle’s signature architectural theme.
The new LR4 had improved visibility and access to the controls. There was ambient lighting, front seat power side bolsters and my test vehicle had a heated steering wheel.
But don’t get it twisted, despite its more sophisticated exterior and interior design, the 2010 LR4 may be Land Rover’s most off road capable vehicle sold in this market. It had a new terrain response system that covered most road condition including mud crawling as well as rock crawling. The system could also be set on general driving as well as grass, gravel and snow. There was also a hill descent system.
The vehicle even had a sand launch system that’s too complicated to get into here. And the brakes, which were not bad on the old model, have been improved. I had to do a bit of adjusting to the amount pressure I applied on the brake pedal lest I stopped way too short.
No matter the 2010 LR4’s off road capability, what impressed me was its on road manners. Power rippled from the engine through the drive train with no effort. When I’m testing a vehicle that is capable of lots of speed quickly, I drive it with a little more respect. That was the case with the Land Rover’s 2010LR4.
As I’ve said the brakes were very responsive but so was the steering. I didn’t have to swing the LR4 around corners; it handled smoothly. There was no body sway in the turns, no nose rise under hard acceleration or nose dip during abrupt braking. And the vehicle was exceptionally quiet. The 2010 Land Rover LR4 had a substance and quality that is reserved for the very best luxury brands.
If there was one quibble it would be the EPA rating of 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the Hwy. However, if you’re going to spend $58,415 on 4X4 SUV, which was the price of my test vehicle, then the price of gasoline or mileage should not be an overriding concern.
Frank S. Washington is managing partner/editor of AboutThatCar.com and AboutThatCarBlog.com .
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