Saturday, July 30, 2011
Compared with its predecessor, the LR4 luxury SUV is much more appealing for shoppers who'd like to conquer rugged off-road trails and go for a night on the town all in the same SUV.
Land Rover's improvements also make the LR4 a legitimate competitor to SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
It's better because it features a dapper cabin something that was sorely missing from the previous version, the LR3 and a new V-8 engine that makes 75 more horsepower than the LR3's V-8, but with the same EPA estimated gas mileage: a still-thirsty 12/17 mpg city/highway.
Land Rover's top-of-the-line Range Rover has excelled at being a multifaceted SUV for years, thanks to its on- and off-road performance, and the LR4 promises most of that versatility — for quite a bit less cash.
The Look
"LR4" is a new name for Land Rover, but if you're familiar with the brand's lineup, you'll instantly think of the outgoing LR3 when you see it. In profile, the two SUVs look nearly identical. The primary styling differences are in front and around back.
Changes to the front include new headlights and a new grille that bring the LR4's styling more in line with the rest of Land Rover's lineup. The rear gets new taillights. The styling is still distinctly Land Rover, with its upright, angular elements, which should satisfy the brand faithful. To see a side-by-side comparison with the 2009 LR3,click here.
Driving It
The LR4's ride quality brought the Range Rover to mind. Thestandard height-adjustable air suspension is tuned for comfort, and it wasn't even ruffled by the rough roads you inevitably encounter in Chicago, where I spent the majority of my time driving the LR4. Even though the LR4 is a tall SUV, with 7.3 inches of ground clearance in the suspension's regular mode, it doesn't exhibit excessive body rollin corners, which is a confidence-booster for drivers.
The LR4's curb weight is a hefty 5,703 pounds, but it feels swift for a big SUV. Credit the new 375-hp, 5.0-liter V-8, which is standard. The engine features direct-injection technology and pulls strongly when accelerating at midrange speeds. There's power to spare on the highway — though not as much as you might expect from a 375-hp V-8.
In a luxury SUV, how the engine delivers its power is just as important as how much power it has, and the LR4's V-8 is smooth and refined. It works with a six-speed automatic transmission that knocks off smooth shifts, though it can be a bit hesitant to kick downat highway speeds when more power is needed.
One thing shoppers will immediately like about the LR4 when they get behind the wheel is the great forward views afforded by its elevated seating position. You sit a lot higher than most vehicles on the road, and that gives you a good view of what's happening in front of you. The windshield and side windows are also big, putting the higher stance to good use as far as visibility is concerned.
The suspension tuning feels firmer when you take the LR4 up to highway speeds. Up there, bumps and cracks in the road that were easily damped at lower speeds become more noticeable.
Overall, the interior is very quiet. Not many outside noises make it into the cabin, and those that do are muted enough that they're not distracting. Well done, Land Rover. Learn More...
Source : http://www.cars.com
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