KING OF THE HILL
Reworked Land Rover LR4 raises the bar for luxury SUVs
The Land Rover LR4 made its debut in our marketplace with the 2010 model as a replacement for the outgoing LR3, and for 2014 there have been significant styling and powertrain revisions to the popular luxury sport utility vehicle.
The LR4 represents the mid- range offering for the storied British brand, but with this latest iteration, it is obvious that the product planning team sought to raise the bar in this segment. My test rig gave me a new appreciation for the level of refinement, equipment and performance the company is packing into its current lineup. There are three trim levels available: the V- 6, the HSE and the HSE LUX.
The new LR4 is tall, long and wide, just like its forebears. Many wrongly assume that these styling elements are retained largely as a nod to Land Rover’s more utilitarian past, but in reality this design allows for increased interior room and a wider track. The latter helps bestow the LR4 with the stability of a mountain goat when the conditions get slick or steep.
The most significant change to the LR4 platform took place under the hood. In an effort to improve fuel economy, a supercharged 3.0- litre V- 6 engine has been fitted in place of the outgoing vehicle’s 5.0L V- 8. As a result, power is down just a smidgen, but overall performance is similar to that of the outgoing model.
This new power plant produces 340 horsepower and 332 pound- feet of torque, which is sufficient to hustle this luxurious beast from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in about eight seconds. The LR4 has a wide torque band, which means there’s plenty of grunt available at most engine speeds. Paired with a new eight- speed automatic transmission — complete with paddle controls — it made short work of extended climbs and highway on- ramps.
The LR4 proved to be an excellent grand touring vehicle as the steering, suspension and traction control systems work together to make you feel more connected to the road without compromising off- road performance.
The passenger compartment is well insulated from wind, road and engine noise, and its highly adaptable air suspension provided a smooth ride, predictable handling and exceptional steering response.
The overall driving experience delivered by the LR4 is nowhere near as dynamic as that offered by its Range Rover siblings, but this is not a sports machine. Instead, the LR4 is a luxuriously outfitted go- anywhere machine with room for the entire family.
The new transmission has been engineered to make the most efficient use of the vehicle’s power resources, and it does an exceptional job of getting the power to the ground without much drama. However, the tall centre of gravity and overall heft of the vehicle will keep you from tossing it into corners.
Where the LR4 excels is off- road. It features Land Rover’s Terrain Response System, which is a well sorted and user- friendly full- time four- wheel- drive system that allows the driver to select from four settings — special programs off, grass- gravel-snow, mud- ruts, and sand — to tailor the vehicle’s operational setup for different terrain conditions. At the push of a button, the system reconfigures the LR4’ s settings so you can take on any surface with confidence.
By using the LR4’ s adaptable air suspension system, the vehicle is rewarded with 240 millimetres of ground clearance. When operating in extreme off- road conditions, having optimal clearance is a plus, but the system also features an access mode that drops the vehicle by almost 50 mm to facilitate the loading of passengers or cargo.
During my time with the LR4, I took it for a brief off- road adventure to explore the vehicle’s climbing and descending abilities. Before ascending the deeply rutted trail before me, I activated the air suspension to raise the vehicle to its optimum height. This helps the LR4 achieve the very impressive approach angle of 36.2 degrees, and a departure angle of 29.6 degrees. This, along with short overhangs, should help ensure that you don’t drag the tail or bury the nose.
My test unit was fitted with the standard single speed transfer box, so there is no low setting available unless you opt for the heavy duty package, which adds a two- speed unit. As my front wheels began to scurry up the loose gravel and light debris that made up the majority of the road’s surface, I was able to monitor on an in- cabin screen what was happening to the suspension, as well as the direction of my front wheels. This clever technology comes in handy when climbing steep grades where the windscreen is painted with blue sky and clouds rather than helpful visual cues like rocks or trees. Without it, you would have no way to see the terrain below, which is dangerous to both man and machine.
Taking visibility a step further, consumers can order the LR4 equipped with the optional five- camera array. This system allows the driver to observe what is happening around the vehicle at the touch of a button. These cameras made navigating tight trails a breeze, as I could avoid rocks, logs and obstacles that otherwise I would be unable to see. These cameras also proved invaluable when parking or operating the vehicle in congested urban settings.
The 19- inch alloy wheels were fitted with Continental all- season performance tires rather than a more aggressive all- terrain selection, but they still managed to haul this hefty rig up the steep grade with only minor slippage.
While descending, I activated hill descent control, which when partnered with gradient acceleration control acts to help the driver maintain control and vehicle speed when operating in off- road conditions. Remember, the LR4 is one of the most capable off- road vehicles on the planet, and as such is equipped with a full complement of skid plates to protect vital components.
The rectangular shape of the Land Rover LR4 helps maximize interior volume, and the spacious cabin offers seating for seven. Second- row seating is sufficient for three adults, while two stowaway seats can be found beneath the floor of the cargo area.
The cargo area is accessed via a split-door design, which features a compact folding tailgate ( which seconds as an excellent seat when putting on your wellies) and an upswing lift gate to protect you from the rain. If long items need to be carried, you can readily fold both the second- and third- row seats.
The quality of the leather seating, trim pieces and interior build materials is all top- notch. The tall windows and raised seating positions promote excellent visibility throughout the vehicle, and all but the tallest individuals should be able to get comfortable in the two front seating positions.
Unexpected touches on my test unit include adjustable front seat armrests, a heated steering wheel and a chill box for beverages and snacks hidden in the centre console.
The Land Rover LR4 looks classy in its formal dress, but this SUV is perfectly suited for adventure. It excels as a luxurious city shuttle and highway-cruiser, but is equally proficient when the pavement comes to an end.