2010 Land Rover LR4
by Jim Prueter -03/2010

LR gets new name and welcomed upgrading

 

Land Rover’s LR3 SUV gains a new name, LR4, for the 2010 model year, and along with it a more powerful new V8 engine. The general exterior shape and size remains visibly unchanged on the fourth generation of this model; however, exterior design elements have been updated with an all-new grille, LED headlamps and a more aerodynamic front bumper.   Rear taillights now have a clear-lens design and LED illumination. 

The interior is also completely redesigned and thankfully Land Rover replaces the chunky plastic parts that adorned most of the outgoing model with smoother surfaces and softer material, paying closer attention to details and build quality.   There’s a new dash and a center console that inclines towards the driver.  New LED ambient lighting illuminates the cabin and white LED light halos the metal-plated interior door handles and door pockets in a much-needed upgrade.

There’s a new steering wheel, with revised controls for driver information, remote audio controls, cruise control and it even comes heated as an option.  First- and second-row seating have been redesigned with extended front seat cushions.  Five- and seven-passenger seat configurations are available.  There’s even a slick feature that includes a forward-looking camera to help see the obstacles ahead when you’re off-roading. 

The new 5.0-liter V8 engine was developed jointly by Jaguar and Land Rover under their new owner — the Indian conglomerate Tata.  The Jaguar version of the 5.0-liter V8 powers the new XF sports sedan, which we gave rave reviews, evening naming it a AAA Top Pick for 2010.  The LR4 version of the engine develops 375 horsepower, 25 percent more that the outgoing 4.4-liter V8 it replaces.  It is teamed with the super-smooth 6-speed automatic transmission.

The LR4 is available in one model with a base price of $48,100, including shipping and offers a choice of four HSE upgrade packages ranging in price: $3,650, $4,760, $9,565 and  $11,115 (for the HSE LUX Plus package).  The packages build on one another and prices include all the features of the previous packages. 

We tested a fully equipped LR4 with the LUX Plus that included 7-passenger seating, premium leather interior, Bi-XenonÔ headlamps with high beam assist, a console cooler box for keeping beverages cold, 480-watt 14-speaker harmon/kardon LOGIC7Ó Audio system, rear camera backing system, 19” alloy wheels, front park distance control, navigation system with 7” color touch screen, and SIRIUSÒ satellite radio.  Our tester also included the $2,500 optional rear seat entertainment system with dual headrest display screens and remote control operation.

The LR4 has incredible off-road capabilities thanks to its Terrain Response System, controlled by a console-mounted dial-operated knob. Drivers can select between a variety of road condition settings, including snow-grass-gravel, mud and ruts, sand, and rock crawl. We have driven previous LR generations off road and always found capabilities that far exceed conditions most urban or suburbanites will ever encounter.  And, given the price and cache, it’s doubtful most owners will ford much more than a deep puddle or hop more than a curb marker at the country club.

Still, it doesn’t diminish the immense capabilities of the LR4, but then not everyone who buys $175 running shoes jogs.  Still, I was surprised that, according to Land Rover, an amazing 40% of their owners take their Rovers off road.  Four-corner electronic air suspension with automatic load leveling, hill descent control, emergency brake assist, anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution and stability control are all standard equipment.

The new 375-hp V8 was noticeably more powerful than the previous generation 300-hp engine, an increase necessary to move the LR4’s nearly three tons of curb weight around.  That’s several hundred pounds heavier than a Chevrolet Suburban and punishes the wallet by returning just 12 miles per gallon on the required premium gas.

The added weight is attributed to the heft of the LR4’s unique suspension that uses car-like unibody construction mounted on a truck-style frame.  Most vehicles use one or the other but not both.  The benefit is a rattle-free car-like ride on paved surfaces, yet the off-road toughness and towing capacity of a truck. 

Standard safety gear includes six-airbag supplemental restraint systems, side-door impact beams for front and rear doors, child locks for rear doors and windows and lower anchor and tether (LATCH) for child seats.  The LR4 has not been crash tested by either the U.S. Government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The LR4 is a terrific sport-utility vehicle if go-anywhere capability and luxury vehicles are important to you, but not if living on a budget and good gas mileage are.  If you have no intention of going off road with your vehicle, we think you’re better off with an X5 BMW, Audi Q7, Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln MKT. 

Unfortunately, the Land Rover/Range Rover and LR brands have a history of poor reliability.  If you do plan to off road, a Lexus GX 470 will afford you luxurious accommodations, as well as a heralded reputation for quality, resale value and durability.  That is unless you need third-row seating, in which case, no one could possibly occupy the seats that Lexus is passing off as a third-row.