Used 2015 Land Rover LR2

As the Land Rover line evolves into sleeker, more stylish designs, the LR2 SUV for 2015 retains a look preferred by many off-road traditionalists. Although the LR2 is Land Rover’s least expensive model, it is still a very capable one; it’s also a bit more practical than the low-slung Evoque and Discovery Sport. Its interior is plush, but somewhat snug and the LR2’s fuel economy is less than eye-popping. Then again, Land Rover’s LR2 luxury SUV can truly be taken off-road, a feat many competitors allude to in their brochures but few can actually deliver. For those who spend more time on road than off, however, luxury rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLK, Audi Q5 and Cadillac SRX make much more comfortable and spacious alternatives.

You’ll be happy to know that if off-road adventuring is part of your regular weekend routine, the 2015 Land Rover LR2 SUV is more than up to the task. We were impressed by the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine’s ability to make power low in the torque band and then deliver that power smoothly, an important attribute when crawling over boulders or berms. Unfortunately, the LR2’s off-road prowess comes with a price on road, that being its less than luxury-car smooth ride and somewhat ponderous feel in the curves. An abundance of wind and road noise also places the LR2 behind its luxury competitors.

Although the 2015 LR2 looks rugged and tough on the outside, inside the story is much different. The dash design is elegant and less cluttered than previous versions, and the materials are mostly in line with the class, with a few cheap-looking plastics here and there. The LR2’s touch screen is designed to provide a more user-friendly experience, including improved scrolling and a QWERTY keyboard. On a more pragmatic front, the Land Rover LR2 can carry up to 59 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded, which is on par with or better than other vehicles in the category.

If you’re not one for new-fangled design, the 2015 Land Rover LR2 SUV should prove quite appealing. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of luxury-SUV buyers, the LR2 is starting to look a little old, especially with the Evoque and Discovery Sport on the same showroom floor. High-end HSE and HSE LUX models distinguish themselves with silver-painted grille bar inserts, fender vents and a rear finisher strip. Although the LR2 rides SUV-high, step-in height and cargo loading are easily manageable for adults.

TERRAIN RESPONSE
The Terrain Response system is one feature that makes Land Rovers so adept at off-roading. In the LR2 SUV for 2015, the system tailors the suspension and powertrain settings to one of four driver-selectable choices: grass, gravel, snow/mud/ruts and normal.

MERIDIAN SOUND SYSTEM
Great road trips demand great music, so Land Rover obliges by providing the LR2 with an 825-watt, 17-speaker Meridian surround-sound system. It will blow your ears off.

The 5-passenger 2015 Land Rover LR2 is offered in base, HSE and HSE LUX trims. In base form, the LR2 comes equipped with the Terrain Response traction-management system, a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery and an 11-speaker audio system paired with a 7-inch touch-screen display. Mid-tier HSE models add a rearview camera, rear park-distance control and xenon headlights, while primo HSE LUX versions are highlighted by the Meridian premium audio system and an 8-way power driver’s seat (6-way is standard). In terms of safety, every 2015 LR2 includes seven airbags, rollover-mitigation control and active head restraints to help protect against whiplash injuries.

While audiophiles can now order the Meridian sound system on the base and HSE models, Snowbelters and the perpetually cold will love the heated steering wheel and front seats that comprise the cold-climate package. Improvements to the navigation system last year mean it merits a look as well. And, while it may not be a deal-breaker, the Land Rover LR2’s lack of a power liftgate is a glaring omission, particularly since nearly all luxury SUVs have offered such a convenience for the better part of a decade.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine employed by the 2015 LR2 – the same Ford-designed EcoBoost powerplant used in the Evoque – delivers 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of peak torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission incorporates Land Rover’s Intelligent Power System Management (IPSM), which recovers kinetic energy during deceleration and braking to charge the battery in the most energy-efficient manner. These powertrain features translate to an uptick in fuel economy while delivering a 0-60-mph time of around 8.2 seconds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
250 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg