Land Rover LR4 Review

Producing a car that purports to be all things to all drivers is often fraught with peril. Inevitably, compromises must be made, as is the case when attempting to combine off-road ruggedness with luxury. Land Rover, however, has managed to develop a reasonable blend of the two with its Land Rover LR4.

In fact, the degree to which this midsize luxury SUV integrates both urban sophistication and serious off-road capability is nothing short of remarkable. On the style front, the Land Rover LR4 offers a ruggedly handsome exterior and an interior filled with upscale bells and whistles and high-quality materials. While this deluxe truck has its downsides -- dismal fuel economy, for instance -- this is one of only a handful of vehicles that seems every bit as much at home pulling into the valet stand at some swanky bistro as it does exploring all those blank spots on the map.

Current Land Rover LR4
The Land Rover LR4 is a midsize sport-utility vehicle that's offered in a single well-equipped trim level. Five seats are standard, but a roomy pair of third-row seats is optional. Power comes from a 5.0-liter V8 that cranks out 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive round out the powertrain details. Unfortunately, EPA fuel economy estimates are well below most of its competitors.

Given its price that undercuts that of many other large luxury SUVs, the LR4 refreshingly includes a wealth of standard features, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, front and rear sunroofs (the rear is fixed) and Bluetooth. Stand-alone options include a locking rear differential, a rear seat DVD entertainment system and a multiple-camera system that provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle. There are also several options packages, which add items like xenon headlights, a rearview camera, a heated steering wheel, heated seats (first and second rows), a navigation system and a premium audio system.

While the Land Rover LR4's interior doesn't quite swaddle passengers in silky grades of premium leather like the high-buck Range Rover, it's still one of the nicest cabins in its class. The seats, steering wheel, dash and console use high-quality materials that feel rich to the touch. Stadium-style rear seating provides ample room in all three rows, while large side windows and a fixed rear sunroof contribute to the cabin's expansive feel. Raising and lowering the third-row seat can be a bit of a struggle, but doing so helps free up a maximum of 90 cubic feet of cargo space, which is quite cavernous.

Despite the LR4's upscale cabin, it has a no-nonsense side when you come to where the pavement ends. At the heart of this capability is Land Rover's Terrain Response system that allows you to select the type of conditions you want to tackle (mud, rocks, snow, sand, on-road) and lets the LR4 automatically dial in the optimal suspension and powertrain settings.

Back on the pavement, the LR4 performs admirably for such a hefty vehicle, with the V8 and six-speed automatic delivering ample acceleration. Precise, nicely weighted steering makes the LR4 feel more agile than you'd expect, but it should come as no surprise that its weight and tall profile make it feel a bit lumbering compared to many other large crossovers. The suspension is very well-tuned in terms of ride quality, however.

Used Land Rover LR4 Models
The Land Rover LR4 was introduced for the 2010 model year and has undergone only minor changes since.

Read the most recent 2016 Land Rover LR4 review.

If you are looking for older years, visit our used Land Rover LR4 page.