Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Land Rover Range Rover

It’s always odd to write, read or say the phrase “Land Rover Range Rover.” It just sounds silly, doesn’t it? Well, the $77,000-plus luxury SUV isn’t such a silly vehicle when you take it off-road or on the street. This seriously British Rover has ruled the roost of big and bad SUVs for a number of years, but there’s plenty of new competition hoping to see that its days atop the heap are numbered, as editor Kelsey Mays explains in his new review.

2008 Land Rover Range Rover Expert Review

Land Rover Hints at LRX Production

Land Rover’s LRX concept that we fell in love with at this year’s Detroit auto show was displayed prominently in a press release and photo shoot meant to celebrate the automaker’s 60th anniversary. The company calls it a look at the “possible” future of the brand, and to us that sounds like it’s most likely been green-lit.

We’ve heard rumors that the new owners of Land Rover have given the go-ahead, but no official word has been given. Still, this is a positive sign that the tiny, all-wheel-drive Land Rover could see the light of day on the street.

Related
LRX Concept Gets a New Paint Job for Geneva Motor Show
2008 Detroit Auto Show Ultimate Concept Winner: Land Rover LRX
2008 Detroit Auto Show: Land Rover LRX Hybrid Concept

Jaguar, Land Rover Sold: No Major Changes Expected

Business as usual.

That's the general reaction to news that Tata Motors of India has completed the purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Co. for $2.3 billion — less than both the $2.5 billion that Ford paid for Jaguar and the $2.7 billion it paid for Land Rover.

Both company officials and dealers quickly downplayed any negative effects of the sale to Tata, saying the only change is in ownership.

Jaguar and Land Rover said dealers will continue to sell, service and warranty existing products, and product lineups are expected to grow rather than dwindle now that a company with deep pockets has taken over from a company that lost $2.7 billion last year.

LRX Concept Gets a New Paint Job for Geneva Motor Show

Land Rover's sporty SUV concept that wowed us earlier this year at the Detroit auto show has reappeared at the Geneva Motor Show wearing a new black and silver paint job. It looks just as good now as it did painted white in Detroit, where it won our Ultimate Concept Car award. For more photos of this new LRX, check out the gallery below.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Ultimate Concept Winner: Land Rover LRX

Concept cars don’t have to meet the same requirements to win us over as do production cars. Concepts don’t need to prove they’re viable in certain segments, they just need to talk to the gut, inspire and basically wow us. The Land Rover LRX was a stunner, especially for an SUV, no matter the size. Still, it was the LRX’s small dimensions and daring — for Land Rover — design that impressed us most. Inside, an iPhone dock really pushed things over the top.

Mike Hanley said this is a “must-see concept” at the show, and senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder said “I watched the LRX spin a few times and found nothing wrong with it.”

Runners Up: Cadillac CTS Coupe, Ford Verve

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Land Rover LRX Hybrid Concept

• Looks like: Land Rover wants to take on moon craters
• Defining characteristics: Two doors on an SUV
• Ridiculous features: iPhone Docking Facility
• Chance of being mass-produced: Not very high; sales are decent but new ownership may change product planning

The LRX concept is important to Land Rover for two reasons: It shows a new design direction for a very traditionally styled lineup, and it features a diesel hybrid powerplant. Since, the LRX is just a concept we’re not sure if either feature will make it to production, but a diesel hybrid has yet to hit the streets and an off-road capable SUV might be the place for one.

The LRX is nearly six inches shorter than the current LR2, which isn’t the largest of SUVs out there, so this little SUV might compete against a future Mini Cooper SUV — and yes, one is in the works, folks.

Technology is also a big part of the LRX with lots of features for apple fans. There are docks just for your iPhone and iPod and a cooler which we’ve actually seen in production Land Rovers. More photos below. 

Video: 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE

Last year, Land Rover introduced its new entry-level LR2 and we got to test it out pretty thoroughly. Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder delivered a review of the SUV and overall his impressions were quite positive. For 2008, Land Rover delivers an HSE trim level which just came through the fleet and earned our video treatment.

Suburban Dad: 2008 Land Rover LR2

Talk about your perfect test drive: I was handed the keys to Land Rover’s slightly-larger-than-midsize SUV just a day before the region was hit with a mild (3-5 inches) snowstorm. The LR2 took the test and handily passed it.

As much as my wife and kids hated the last car I wrote about (the Audi Q7), they enjoyed the LR2. My wife thought the size was right, and was impressed both with the navigation system, which offered us three choices for our route, and with the amenities in the front seat (the heated seats being the best find on a cold and wintry night).

“I like it quite a bit,” she said. “I like the look of it; I liked the way it rode. I could see us in it.”

For regular readers, you’ll note that that is high praise from my wife, especially without any negatives thrown in. She has a pretty discriminating eye and ear for cars, and there haven’t been a lot that I’ve brought home that have won her over.

Land Rover to Debut Eco-Friendly LRX Concept at Detroit

Responding to efficiency trends, Land Rover will deliver the LRX concept at January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The LRX will be the smallest, lightest SUV in Land Rover’s lineup. It will also be the most fuel-efficient, though Land Rover has not released specific mileage estimates yet.

If produced, the LRX would combine a number of factors to help it lower emissions, from a lighter weight to a more aerodynamic design. The most interesting feature is a new version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response System, which allows Land Rover vehicles to optimize traction on slick or unstable surfaces like snow, ice, gravel or wet grass. The newest version will include an “Eco” mode to reduce the car’s emissions.

It sounds as if Land Rover hopes to use the LRX to make over its image by presenting itself as a more eco-friendly brand that’s concerned with sustainability.

Ready for a Baby Rover? (Autoweek)

Friday Fleet Notes: 9.27.07

As I prepare to drive home in a Corvette Z06 — pity me, really — I get a chance to reflect on how varied our revolving fleet of vehicles truly is. This week, Kelsey Mays and I take a look at the all-new Land Rover LR2 and the Chrysler Town & Country. They’re two distinctly different vehicles, and both needed a reworking. Now, where is that Z06 key fob… 

2008 Land Rover LR2

Land Rover fans will love the brand’s latest baby. It has the flavor of its larger siblings — the window switches sit right up on the window sill, the center controls employ lots of scalloped dials, and there’s enough off-road equipment to get you to the Yucatan. Those looking for a regular SUV might take issue with some of the smaller details: Our LR2 SE had an uncovered tray in place of a real center console (the pricier HSE adds one) and it’s too easy to confuse the temperature dial for the stereo volume. As senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder noted in his review, folding the rear seats down requires first flipping the cushions forward. That’s old-school.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Land Rover LR2

Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder turns in his review of Land Rover’s Freelander replacement, the LR2, and comes away somewhat impressed. He wisely compares the LR2 to the BMW X3 and Acura RDX, its main competitors, and we always like to see how something measures up to the competition. Plus, we learn there are some incentives on the LR2.

2008 Land Rover LR2 Expert Review
More Land Rover News

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE

Land Rover is adding an extra trim level to the LR2 lineup. The entry-level Land Rover was introduced in April as a 2008 model and was a great improvement over the Freelander it replaced. The LR2 hasn’t set the world on fire in the sales department yet; the much more expensive Range Rover and Range Rover Sport outsold the newcomer in July.

To add variety — and hopefully augment sales — Land Rover has come up with the Land Rover HSE trim level. This is a step up from the base SE and features body-colored molding instead of the gray plastic of the SE, 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and titanium-colored door handles. The appearance package adds a sportier look, but the HSE won’t go any faster than the SE since it boasts the same 230-hp engine.

The LR2 HSE will arrive at dealerships in November. 

Related
The Urban DINK: 2008 Land Rover LR2 (KickingTires)

2008 Range Rover Gets New Armrest

We’ll admit, we couldn’t find anything really engaging to write about the 2008 Land Rover Range Rover. When all the company can come up with is a redesigned rear armrest — with more storage! — we’re not going to jump for joy. That’s not to say there was much wrong with the 2007 version, we just had to put something in the headline.

The 2008 Range Rover will also get four-zone climate control, which is a significant addition. There are also more interior wood grains to choose from, a new interior color called Storm and two new exterior colors, Alaska White and Lucerne Green. If you’re still interested, we have a nice batch of photos below to check out that will tide you over until the new models arrive later this year.

2008 Range Rover Photo Gallery

Suburban Dad: Road Rally

Suburban Dad went along with some of the Cars.com editorial staff to a road and track rally up in Elkhart Lake, Wis., last week. I was able to drive a handful of cars and SUVs, and here are my verdicts:

Audi Q7
I’m tempted to get one of these, park it in my driveway and just watch TV from the front seat. The Q7 had one of the plushest, most comfortable leather seats I’ve ever sat in. The Q7, which has an aggressive, expressive face, also has a spunky engine and a smooth ride. It has a spacious cabin, huge storage space behind the second row (which included some heavy-duty tie-downs, a nice feature), and a great-looking black-on-black interior. The Q7 had a power liftgate, but Audi might want to think about those moms who are too short to reach the auto-close button, located on the bottom of the liftgate. When the liftgate is up, you’d have to be 5 foot 6 or better to reach it; my wife, at 4 foot 11, would definitely have some issues.

The Urban DINK: 2008 Land Rover LR2

When I first concocted this ongoing feature for the blog, it was with the Land Rover LR2 in mind. OK, maybe that wasn’t the exact vehicle I was thinking of, but it fits all the criteria for Urban DINKs: luxury marquee, high-end look, relative affordability (it starts under $35,000 well-equipped) and a good size for city life.

Does it live up to the Urban DINK’s high standards and critical eye? Surprisingly, yes. To be honest, I only got the LR2 for 24 hours. Joe Wiesenfelder is getting the keys for a full week of testing for an upcoming review, but I couldn’t let it slip out of the garage without giving it as thorough a drive as possible.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Land Rover LR2 Price Announced

We already saw the LR2 when it debuted in Europe earlier this year, but the exciting thing here in L.A. was not only seeing it in person, but hearing there was a price tag attached. When we say price — singular — we mean price. The LR2 will come standard with almost every goodie – leather seats, a two-part panoramic sunroof and a six-disc Alpine stereo — for $34,700. The only add-ons are a technology package with navigation for $3,400, a cold-weather package with heated seats for $400, and a lighting package with bi-xenon headlights for $1,050.

The price is perfectly aimed at the Acura RDX, which starts at $32,995, and the BMW X3, which starts at $38,000.

Land Rover Range Rover: My Take

At a Land Rover event yesterday, I got the chance to sample a 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, a Cars.com Best Bet. While I liked the vehicle, sadly, Mother Nature dumped snow all over the place and eliminated the other half of the Land Rover drive – the off-road part. Still, there was enough pavement driving to warrant the trip. (At least, that's what I'll tell the boss.)

Land Rover Announces 2007 Lineup Changes and Pricing

The newcomer for the Land Rover brand in 2007 will be the LR2, out next spring. But we’ve already examined that. Today Land Rover announced what it's updated in the current lineup. There’s not much new, but we figured potential Rover buyers might like to know anyways.

The big daddy of the family — the Range Rover — gets a redesigned interior, while the outside remains relatively unchanged. The Range Rover also adds the Terrain Response system from the LR3 standard. Side airbags have been added to the second row, and a driver’s knee airbag has also been added. Cooling ventilated front seats are optional; Supercharged models have them standard. Heated seats are now standard for all.

More on the Land Rover LR2

Land Rover introduced the LR2 with a celebrity bang last month, but today we get many more images of the compact luxury SUV, including interior shots from its full press kit. Click on the link below for more photos. Here’s a brief look at what we find interesting about this new entry in the market:

• Combined fuel economy projected at 25.2 mpg. That is far better than the BMW X3 and considerable for a six-cylinder engine, but horsepower and torque are both in the 230 range, so don’t expect this to be a quick vehicle. It reaches 60 mph in 8.4 seconds; the X3 does it in 7.9.
• Land Rover says it's a true 4x4 even though it's based on a car frame. But we all know most buyers just want the added benefit that a full-time 4x4 — or all-wheel-drive system — can provide on the street.
• Reversible cargo floor with carpet on one side and water-resistant surface on the other.
• Keyless start.
• Lots of safety features, including a rollover mitigation system, stability control, antilock brakes, front side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and an inflatable knee bolster for the driver.
• On sale toward the end of 2006, likely December.

[Source: Land Rover]

New Land Rover LR2's Celeb Unveiling

Tennis star Maria Sharapova was on hand yesterday to unveil the all-new Land Rover LR2 to the press. London was the setting for the announcement, as Land Rover is still a British company, but the LR2, formerly called the Freelander, will have a major impact on the U.S. market.

Land Rover has seen a huge increase in sales over the past two years due to the success of the LR3 and Range Rover models. The Freelander actually debuted before either of those vehicles, but was not well received due to feeble power and a rough ride. The new LR2 is completely redesigned, rides on a car platform and shares parts from corporate partners like Ford, Mazda and Volvo. A new inline six-cylinder engine, increases power from 175 hp to 230 hp as well as getting a 10% rise in fuel economy. Those numbers weren’t released, but the previous engine saw 18/21 mpg city/highway.

I think the LR2 will be a huge hit, as the segment of car-based crossovers is growing and the Land Rover “look” is increasingly popular. Prices weren’t announced, but expect them to start in the low $30,000 range when the LR2 hits U.S. shores later this year. Click below for more photos.

2006 Range Rover Sport: My Take

One of the nice things about having more than one automotive writer on staff is the ability to get a number of opinions on the cars we test. We don’t always see a vehicle go through multiple hands, but often a different trim level or engine choice will become available and we have some room to compare notes.

Mike Hanley’s review of the Range Rover Sport was just posted on the Expert Reviews page today, but a month or so back I got a week in the Supercharged version of this luxury SUV. The bigger engine adds 90 horses, to 390-hp total, and about $12,000 to the sticker, up to just under $70,000. But boy is it a blast to drive. The handling revealed none of the “tippiness” SUVs often exhibit, and the more powerful engine kicked in with a nice grunt. I even took it on a round trip from Chicago to Detroit and it cruised splendidly.

Recall Roundup: Volvo XC90, Land Rover LR3 and More

It’s never fun to get a recall notice in the mail, but it is better to know about them as soon as humanly possible. Here are the latest recalls we have to report.

The big news this week is that owners of most 2003 - 2006 Volvo XC90 SUVs will have to take their car to the dealership for two repairs. One is significant, involving steering components that may make the vehicle hard to steer. This will impact about 109,000 XC90s. The other fix, involving wiper arms that may not function properly in severe weather, affects roughly 122,000 XC90s from the same model years.

Volvo is also recalling about 16,000 S40s and V50s equipped with the T5 turbo engine from the 2004 - 2006 model years for a fuel line repair.

In other recall news: