Editor's Rating: 
The Good: Chiseled looks, voluminous cabin, phenomenal stereo sound, supple ride quality
The Bad: Poor ergonomics, button overload, less luggage space than competitors
The Bottom Line: A solid offering to this burgeoning category and a vast improvement over the previous generation
Reader ReviewsThe whole concept of a luxurious off-roader is certainly nothing new but it is an anomaly nonetheless. After all, muddying up a plush leather and wood interior, or dinging designer body panels is enough to make any owner wince. Despite this Land Rover, more so than any other 4x4-touting auto brand, brilliantly combines the aesthetic with the athletic. The new LR2 is no exception.
Land Rover gives the premium small utility category another go-around with the 2008 LR2. A second-generation model formally known as the Freelander in the U.S., the LR2 is new from the ground up and makes good on its predecessor's laundry list of shortcomings. Think of it as the chiseled, sensible, younger sibling to big brothers Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR3. It's smaller, cheaper, nimbler, and less thirsty than the others but it is still every inch a Land Rover.
Land Rover essentially invented the premium small utility segment when Freelander made its European debut in 1997. And despite sales success in Europe, the Freelander was not highly regarded when brought stateside in 2001. Consumers perceived Freelander as small, technologically crude, expensive, and of questionable reliability. U.S. sales were bad enough to force top brass to drop Freelander in 2005, two years ahead of schedule.
Like other luxury "crossover" vehicles in its competitive class, the LR2 is a car-based SUV. This is a first for the off-road aficionados at Land Rover, but extremely necessary for the car-like ride and handling consumers value above all else in this vehicle class.
The LR2 competes most directly with the BMW X3 and Acura RDX in price, dimensions, available amenities, and upscale market positioning. This premium small utility segment is young, but expect competitive offerings from Volvo (XC60), Audi (Q5) and Mercedes (MLK-Class) in the not-so-distant future.
The X3 and RDX are slightly longer than the LR2, but the little Land Rover is wider, taller, and has more ground clearance than its competitors. Despite Land Rover's claim of 38% more "boot space" (that's British for trunk) than the outgoing Freelander model, the LR2 has less cargo room than X3 and RDX. This is likely the result of a shorter overall vehicle length. Cargo room is not a big concern though. With the rear seats folded down, the LR2 easily swallowed two wakeboards and a couple of weekend bags for my trip to the lake.
The LR2 might be a small SUV but it is surprisingly cavernous inside. Engineers seem to have stressed passenger room/comfort more than cargo room, as LR2 bests X3 and RDX in front leg room and front/rear headroom. The high ground clearance, elevated seating position, and large glass areas contribute to this spacious, airy interior feel.
The RDX appears to be the best value in this segment when looking at standard equipment. It is also the cheapest with a base price of just $32,995. The BMW is the most expensive at $38,000 and the Land Rover slots in between with a starting price of $33,985.
The pricing and packaging that Land Rover established for the LR2 is relatively painless and somewhat value-oriented. There is only one trim level (SE) and three option bundles to choose from: cold climate package ($700), technology package ($3,500), and the lighting package ($1,050). This means high-end options including heated seats or a navigation system must be bought in bulk, not as stand-alone options. My "Tambora Flame" tester was loaded with all three optional packages and came in at a hefty $39,950. If I were footing the bill I'd uncheck the lighting package, which includes adaptive bi-xenon headlamps that turn with the steering wheel to illuminate blind corners ahead.
During the four-year, 50,000-mile, New Vehicle Limited Warranty period, LR2 owners get the first six complimentary maintenance services at 7,500-mile intervals. BMW offers free scheduled maintenance for the same time period. So yes, the BMW and Land Rover are pricier than the Acura but the true cost of ownership might end up leveling the playing field.
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