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