LR2 is a Thirsty, Rowdy Off-Roader

2009 Land Rover LR2

model as tested $41,575

Test Drove 7/15/09 – 7/21/09
reviewed by Sara Lacey

The 2009 Land Rover LR2 is a doll; she’s cute-looking, sporty and fun. This small SUV is like a girl whose starting high school; she’s not new to the whole school idea, but she’s trying to figure out where she fits in at the bigger school. Is she the cute girl, the athletic one or the rich gal? The LR2 is a little bit of all those things but not a lot of any of them.  And that’s OK, for the most part.

When I started driving the all-wheel-drive LR2, its steering felt loose and disconnected at slower speeds. Once I got out of town and got the speed up, the LR2’s handling impressed me. After a few days of driving and a trip into the hills, she handled better than I originally gave her credit for. Every time I expected to feel some top-heavy body roll on the tight turns, the LR2 surprised me and hugged the corners. 

With a six-cylinder engine, the LR2’s acceleration is great, and not once did I wish for more oomph. I did wish for better gas mileage numbers, though. The LR2 gets an EPA-estimated 15/22 mpg city/highway. That’s not great, and to make matter worse, she takes premium gas. Yes, she can off-road, and yes, she’s responsive, but if you’re in the market for a small SUV, you might be surprised by the fuel economy numbers. 

The LR2 starts at $35,375, but my test car was priced at $41,575. That’s a lot of money. The LR2 is more rugged than your typical small, luxury SUV, and it’s more expensive than your typical small, not-so-luxurious SUV. 

There are some aspects of the LR2 — like the leather interior and dark laurel trim — that initially seem to justify its price tag, but they’re offset by the rubber floormats. Yes, they’re great after you’ve gone on a backwoods trek, but they look um…cheap. The lack of fancy power features in the LR2 also might lead to disappointment for some. 

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