The Land Rover LR2 is sort of like the McMansion of SUVs: It's bigger and has more room than most of the people who own the vehicle need, and it's not quite as prestigious as more upscale models. But for weekend warriors and urban explorers of a certain means, it still makes a statement. Such as, "I have enough money to buy one of these, but someday hope to have Range Rover Sport." Or "I bet I can bike/run/swim/kayak faster than you."
But going for the lower-cost Rover gets you almost as many of the the tech toys as paying more than $60k for the fully outfitted top-of-the-line Sport. In fact, some of the electronics in our 2009 Land Rover LR2 test vehicle (sticker price $40,875) are actually the same if not better than in the 2009 Range Rover Sport HSE we recently tested -- although not on par with the tech in other vehicles in the segment.
Audio: For example, I preferred the 440-watt, 8-speaker Alpine audio system that's part of the LR2's $3,500 Technology Package option to the 550-watt, 14-speaker Harman/Kardon system in the Sport. While far from perfect, the Alpine system has a smoother overall sound and is more lifelike, and the bass from the 6-inch subwoofer is also richer and more accurate. Both models only offer an aux-in jack as a way to plug in an iPod, but at least in the LR2 it's on the top of the center console instead of on the back, as in the Sport.
The only other music options are a 6-disc CD changer and AM, FM and Sirius satellite radio, which is skimpy considering that these days many cars that cost much less at least offer a USB port or even full iPod integration. On the upside, the LR2 also has the same cool Rear Passenger Controls found on the Sport, except they're on the back of the center console rather than on the top of each rear door. Each set includes a headphone jack and buttons for source selection, next CD, volume up/down and radio-tune/CD-track forward/back as well as track fast-forward/reverse. This gives rear-seat passengers with headphone access to and control over any source except the one being played over the speakers, in which case only the headphone-volume buttons are active.
Bluetooth: As in the Sport, it was a cinch to pair my Blackberry 8300 in the LR2 and the address book was downloaded without having to lift a finger. But also as in the Sport, the system doesn't differentiate between various numbers for a single contact. So if you don't know the order in which contacts with more than one number are listed in your address book, you have to guess and dial by trial-and-error. Plus, the contact names (like the audio-system information) are displayed on the small display low in the dash rather than the large touch screen at the top. But you can dial a contact name by using buttons on the steering wheel or dial a number using the LR2's voice activation rather than taking your hands off the wheel to use the keypad below the Bluetooth/audio dash display.
Navigation
: The LR2's nav system is an example of the tech sharing now taking place between Land Rover and corporate sibling Jaguar, and that's a good thing. The touch-screen operation is easy and intuitive, and the mapping screen is bright and easy to deciper. Inputting destination info is also uncomplicated, although the DVD-based system doesn't calculate routes or perform other processing tasks as fast as more recent hard-disk systems. But the nav system does provide useful features such as a dedicated emergency button for quickly finding a nearby police station, hospital or Land Rover dealer. It also offers off-road navigation and allows plotting a course using a built-in compass and longitude and latitude points, although it doesn't include topo info as in the Sport. One nice touch is that when fuel is low the nav system gives a prompt and overlays gas-station POIs on the map screen.
Tech Extras: As expected in a luxury SUV like the LR2, electronic accouterments are plenty, but not as plentiful as on the Sport. It has push-button starting (but you must first insert the key fob remote in the slot that's half hidden in the dash) and the standard dual-panel sunroof with integrated shades flood the cabin with light. Rover's Terrain Response knob and Hill Descent Control make going off-road as easy as ordering a latte. Our test vehicle also had Park Distance Control, which is essential for backing up in a vehicle this big without banging into objects, and an optional (and pricey) $1,050 Lighting Package adds bi-xenon adaptive headlights, approach and "puddle" lights and position memory for the driver's seat and outside mirrors.
While the 2009 Land Rover LR2 may not be as much of a status symbol as the Rover Sport, it certainly measures up in terms of tech in comparison to its more expensive sibling. But up against other entry-level luxury SUVs, like the Infiniti EX35 and BMW X3, it's technology offerings make it sort of like a McMansion: outwardly impressive but a bit cookie-cutter, and maybe not the best value in the long run.
ILTech Ratings (10 is best): 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE
Audio: 8
Bluetooth: 6
Navigation: 7
Tech Extras: 7
Overall Average Score: 7
freelanderfan says:
02:30 PM, 08/ 9/09
My question is when will the LR2 get the stop / start etechnology system that the Freelander 2 has in Europe?
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Freelander Enthusiast