The 2009 Land Rover LR2
Instead of a home makeover show, I would like to see a car makeover show. Not of the “Pimp My Ride” variety, but one where a manufacturer takes a vehicle and transforms it into something better. They turn it into a vehicle that is both better looking and performing. Land Rover had done just that. In 2005, they sent their
Freelander to SUV modeling school and it came out the other side as the 2008 LR2. I have the key fob to a
2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE and I am ready to see how she struts.
The LR2 is metro-styled Ford Escape, but it can back up the looks.
The Freelander looked like a cheap Land Rover. The LR2 looks like an
entry-level Land Rover, and there is a big difference in those terms.
The style of the LR2 is visually appealing, from the L A N D R O V E R
across the front of the hood, down to the fender vent and 19-inch, 7
split-spoke wheels, and finally back to the simply subtle rear spoiler
and large bumper. This SUV does not come off as a budget version of its
bigger, and far more expensive siblings, but as a the starting point to
a younger Land Rover buyer who wants to become a part of the long
legacy of this British motoring icon.
Inside, I find rubber floor mats and the switch for the Land Rover Terrain Response System. This is a clear sign that both my shoes and the LR2’s wheels and tires are allowed to get dirty. Sadly, I assume that most owners won’t take advantage of this system which allows me to set the handling and suspension for General, Snow, Mud, or Sand. While the interior can get dirty, I also found its leather wrapped seating comfortable. The driving position was high without my head hitting the roof. When driving an SUV I want to see the road, not be low-slung and staring up at the wheel. The steering mounted audio controls are a nice touch so I can keep my eyes focused while browsing the 4 LA-area radio stations I listen to, all of which love to go to commercial at the exact same time.
The center touch screen is well hidden from the sunlight and has a cool analog clock as one of the screen choices. When KROQ (a local rock station) was not on a commercial break, I enjoyed the nine-speaker Alpine system which had a nice overall balance to the sound.
On the road, the Land Rover LR2 handles as you would expect. It is a sport utility vehicle all the way through and drives as such. I got some body roll in fast turns, but nothing that raises any internal alarms. I felt comfortable behind the wheel, but was well aware of what I was driving. This is a fact I greatly enjoyed to be honest. Everyone loves a crossover, because it looks like a SUV, but drives like a car. I prefer my SUVs to drive as such. I felt like I could simply hang a right turn while driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway and blow past the Huntington Beach Life Guards on the sand. I don’t get that sensation when driving a CUV, rather I feel like I should take the parking lot speed bump a little slower next time.
The 3.2L inline six-cylinder engine has just enough power to keep things moving at a good speed, but not enough to get you into trouble (I am staring at you
2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport supercharged). I can merge and pass on the highway with relative ease, yet I am not wining any drag races with the LR2 - and I don’t want to. I wouldn’t buy this Land Rover to blast from stoplight to stoplight. I would buy it to have a nice daily driver during the week and on the weekends. I would take full advantage of the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, Haldex coupling with Front-to-Rear continuously variable torque split, and independent front and rear suspension with long-travel coil springs and anti-roll bar, in addition to the aforementioned Terrain Response System.
The base price of the 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE is $35,375.00. The one I tested came equipped with the Cold Climate package ($700), Lighting package ($1,050), Satin Silver HST appearance package ($2,220), and the Technology package ($3,500). Throw in the California emissions and a transportation fee and I arrive at a price of $43,700.00… a small price to pay for entry into the Land Rover family.