- 2010
2009 Land Rover LR2
- Used Land Rover LR2
Land Rover LR2 - What the Auto Press Says
The LR2 offers very good off-road driving capabilities and strong safety features, but Land Rover has a poor record for reliability. For a sportier ride, consider the Infiniti EX. Or, try the Acura RDX for more power.
Redesigned from the ground up for the 2008 model year, the Land Rover LR2 is the smallest and least expensive Land Rover, but has many features comparable to the more upscale LR3 and Range Rover models. "I tend to find most Land Rovers to be overpriced dealers' dreams, but the LR2 was a surprise," says AutoWeek. "While I don't think I could ever justify spending this kind of money on a small SUV, the ride is more comfortable than I expected, and the suspension and steering give a feeling of stability that wasn't always there on earlier LRs."
The LR2 shares a platform with the Volvo S80, XC90 and XC60, but its engines come from Jaguar. Though Indian automaker Tata has purchased Land Rover, so far no changes have been made to the vehicle lineup -- and none are expected. However, with auto sales soft overall, especially for SUVs that require premium fuel, dealers may be offering deep discounts. Still, keep in mind that a few reviewers find the LR2 disappointing because it doesn't truly excel in any one category.
The LR2 comes in one trim -- the SE -- with standard all-wheel drive.
- "The LR2 mainly targets the Acura RDX and Infiniti EX35 in price and market position. It's somewhat slower and a bit less agile than those rivals but trumps them and most others in ride quality and off-road ability" -- Consumer Guide
- "The LR2 is an excellent vehicle and the price is very competitive when comparing it to other high-end compact SUVs such as the Acura MDX and BMW X3." -- Detroit News
- "Overall: Drives well, looks smart, roomy up front. Wait to be sure quality is better than that of previous Land Rovers." -- USA Today
- "All things considered, the LR2 is worth a test drive -- a premium brand for something less than a premium price." -- Sacramento Bee
- "A good camping or ski vehicle, buyers interested in the 2009 Land Rover LR2 might want to hold off for a model update, which should improve the cabin tech substantially." -- CNET
- "The 2009 Land Rover LR2 had me at hello. That's not to say it didn't have a few minor shortcomings (who among us doesn't?), but my fondness for this SUV easily outweighed them and we had a splendid week together. Even my husband, who is never easily smitten, lamented having to give this car back at the end of my test drive. This is a car we would buy." -- Mother Proof
LR2 Performance - 7.9 (Good)
Though the 2009 Land Rover LR2 has strong off-road capabilities, its on-pavement ride is just adequate. "The straight-six is strong, with enough oomph to keep things interesting," says AutoWeek. "Considering this little ute's off-road capabilities, the on-road ride was OK." The LR2 has a number of innovative electronic features, including the Terrain Response system, which allows the driver to adjust the handling behavior of almost every component of the vehicle. However, some critics are disappointed that the Land Rover lacks a low-range transfer case, which is necessary for true off-roading. Read More
LR2 Exterior - 8.1 (Very Good)
Reviewers find the Land Rover LR2's brawny looks appealing. "Perhaps where the LR2 shines most brightly is in its exterior styling," says Road and Track. Read More
LR2 Interior - 7.5 (Good)
Reviewers have mixed opinions on the LR2's interior. Though the front seats are very comfortable, reviewers say the back seat is a bit cramped. "The LR2's cabin takes a cue from more expensive Range Rovers by offering high-quality wood and leather trim, solid-feeling plastics, and a blocky design imparting an upscale but sporty feel," says Consumer Guide. Some reviewers take issue with the LR2's push-button starter, which requires placing the key fob in a slot before it will work. Read More
LR2 Safety - NA
The federal government has not yet tested the LR2, but it comes with a rich set of safety features and accident avoidance systems. Read More
LR2 Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2009 Land Rover LR2 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Land Rover offers a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty on the LR2. Continue with our full LR2 Reliability Review to learn more about Land Rover's past dependability issues. Read More
