2015 Land Rover LR4
Land Rover, a storied name from post-World War II Great Britain, that is known around the world for its rugged all-terrain vehicles, has morphed into a designer brand that is as at home in Hollywood as on the Serengeti Plain in Africa.
That doesn’t mean it has gotten soft. Its vehicles, across the board, can still negotiate the boondocks as well as or better than anything else on the planet. It is mainly the cachet of owning something that can do that, even though Mademoiselle would never think of taking it anywhere but to Dior or Dolce & Gabbana.
Though it still sells utilitarian machines like the Defender, Land Rover has a full lineup of sharpshooting vehicles ranging from the LR2 and Discovery Sport to the posh Range Rover.
No Land Rover is cheap, however. Some, though, have less snob appeal, but are more stalwart, which brings us to the subject here: the LR4. The $56,275 price tag of the tested 2015 Land Rover LR4 with the optional HSE package certainly is not for the faint of heart or wallet. But it compares favorably against similarly equipped competitors like the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GL, and Lexus GX or LX.
The 2015 LR4 has a number of new items, including adding the convenience of new standard side steps, which help make entering and exiting the vehicle easier. New exterior colors and interior trim options round out the 2015 changes for this award-winning, full-capability luxury SUV.
The choice of two different 4WD systems includes the standard single-speed Torsen transfer case 4WD system that offers capability that will suit many drivers. The available Heavy Duty Package, for customers who take the LR4 into difficult off-road situations, features a two-speed transfer case 4WD system and also includes an active locking rear differential and a full-size spare tire.
Luxury options also expand with the addition of the distinct Ebony/Cirrus Dual-tone Windsor Leather seats and wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel. In addition, a Straight Grained Walnut wood and leather steering wheel is also newly available.
Renowned for its impeccable blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability, the LR4 uses integrated body-frame construction, featuring a steel unibody mounted on a rigid boxed full frame. The innovative Terrain Response system allows the driver to tailor the vehicle’s capabilities to the prevailing road conditions.
The four-wheel independent, height-adjustable air suspension helps adapt the LR4 to varying situations or weather conditions. The driver can select from four settings, including Access, Standard, Off-Road and Extended. The Land Rover LR4 provides ample room for up to seven adults. The 3.0-liter V-6 produces 340 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. The eight-speed ZF automatic offers a broad spread of ratios for an optimally balanced combination of performance and efficiency. Base model estimated miles per gallon: 15/19. Estimated base starting price: $50,400.
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Compiled by Motor Matters
