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New York Auto Show: 2010 Land Rover LR4 Ups the Luxury, Power
Apr 15 2009 by Sherrice Gilsbach
Land Rover announced at the New York auto show that it’s replacing the 2009 LR3 with the 2010 LR4. The LR4, which will be in dealerships in October, will still seat up to seven passengers, but it’s more powerful than its predecessor with an extra 75 horsepower from its V-8 engine.
With so much attention focused on performance, it’s easy to recognize that counting mpgs might not have been a priority for the LR4 designers. According to the folks at Land Rover, the LR4 hasn’t completed its EPA mileage testing, so we’ll have to wait to hear its mileage estimates. The 2009 LR3 — with a less powerful engine — got a whopping 12/17 mpg city/highway. As my fellow mom-reviewer Sara Lacey said in her review of the LR3, “Talk about conspicuous consumption.” I wonder how many trips I’d be making to the gas station in the LR4. Can’t we have high performance and a smidgen of fuel economy?
Like the LR3, the LR4 will have four-wheel drive as well as Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. This system allows you to select the appropriate setting for the terrain you’re driving on: general driving, grass/gravel/snow, sand, mud and ruts, and the notorious rock crawl. These settings are expected to be significantly improved compared to previous versions of this system. Don’t you just love options? I can imagine having lengthy conversations with my kids about which LR4 terrain setting would be most relevant to our daily commute.
The kids will love the LR4’s available rear entertainment system with screens mounted on the back of the front-row head restraints. The rear entertainment system is also compatible with your children’s video game system of choice.
The strong exterior stylings of LR3, including its asymmetrical liftgate, can be found in the LR4. The LR4’s interior is a step above its predecessor with added leather trim and more attention to overall comfort. The LR4 will even let you adjust your seat bolsters for added support. I like that!
User Comments
Did they include a power lift gate for this model? Did you get to check out the new cameras? I’m on the fence about turning in my MDX for one of these. I have a 1yo and a 3yo. What do you think?
Sandi,
The 2010 LR4 has a power liftgate and tailgate, which is the same as the 2009 LR3 model.
We weren’t able to test the LR4’s camera system at the New York auto show, but it does have five cameras mounted around the SUV.
Patrick Olsen, aka Suburban Dad, at Cars.com spent a little more time with the LR4. Here’s his video:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/04/2010-land-rover-lr4-video.html
Tanya,
Thank you for your comments and thank goodness you and your babies are ok!!! I think our worst car-related fear is the accident you have no control over.
Thanks Jennifer! I’m excited for it to be released!
Sherrice, as an LR3 owner, I can tell you that I absolutely LOVE my car, and I can’t wait to get into the LR4! The point that I think you missed is that with the newer (more powerful) engine, the fuel economy will actually improve. Not that I get bad mileage now, considering the weight of the car and the all-time 4-wheel drive. And I thank God everyday for the strength of this car. I was t-boned by a Ford expedition with my kids in the back seat, and while the Ford was totalled, we had some minor dents and scratches. More importantly, me and my kids were perfectly fine, and walked away. There simply isn’t any safer vehicle on the road. Go to a dealer and take the test-drive to see what I mean. How many other test-rides include an anti-roll-over demo? Simply amazing car!