The 2013 Land Rover LR4 is a great big slobbering Labrador of an SUV. It absolutely loves to play outside and, for all intents and purposes, the LR4 is about as uncomplicated as any vehicle can be.
Personally, I even love the way this boxy SUV looks. The blocky lines make this posh off-roader stand out amongst a sea of competitors.
While it’s one of the older offerings in the Land Rover/Range Rover lineup, I’d argue that it remains one of the best looking examples – or maybe I’m taking too long to get used to the slimmer headlights of the newest models.
The price is awfully steep, though you could levy the same complaint at rivals like the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, and countless other luxury-biased SUVs and crossovers. An entry-level LR4 starts at roughly $50,000, and comes powered by a 375-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
LAND ROVER
Known elsewhere as the Discovery (a UK-spec version is pictured here), the LR4 is one of the older offerings in Land Rover’s increasingly revamped range of trucks.
This powertrain provides the LR4 with solid performance, though it’s a far cry from the Bentley-like levels of thrust you’ll find in something like the new Range Rover Sport. New for the 2014 model year, the LR4 comes standard with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
As you’d expect from the Lego-block exterior design, the LR4’s blend of ride and handling falls more on the truck side of the SUV equation. Compared to vehicles like the new Acura MDX or Infiniti QX60, the LR4 feels much larger and slightly ponderous during crowded city driving.
There is no arguing the view outside is fantastic, however. The upright lines and expansive windows give the LR4 an incredibly airy feel, especially in an era when so many vehicles have turret-sized greenhouses.
The LR4 also feels capable of traversing just about anything this side of Mount Everest. That’s because off-roading capability is at the core of this truck, and the Land Rover brand itself. The cabin is covered in fine leather and wood trim, but take a good look at the buttons and dials on the dash and center console. Many of them are related to adjusting the LR4 perfectly for all types of gravel, mud, and rock-covered trails.
LAND ROVER
The cabin is classy and tough-looking. Some of the dials and guages are fussy, however, and the overall layout is due an update.
Again, compared to newer models in the Land Rover range, the LR4’s cabin is looking its age (all those buttons and dials can be downright overwhelming!). Yet the feel of the door when it’s closed, and even the chunky door-handle itself, makes many other SUVs feel like toys in comparison.
If only Land Rover’s reliability ratings backed up this feeling of invincibility. The British brand has often lagged near the bottom of quality surveys, though Land Rover has made massive strides towards rectifying this problem in recent years.
Many people will opt for the LR4 simply because they love the style, along with the go-anywhere image. That’s fine, but we think many of these same customers would be even happier in the smaller, nimbler, and more fuel efficient Range Rover Evoque.
The LR4 still has its place in the SUV world – though the sphere of SUV buyers that need (or even want) this level of all-terrain prowess is getting smaller and smaller.
LAND ROVER
For the 2014 model year, the LR4 receives a revised front fascia and new 8-speed automatic. The latter should help boost the LR4’s fuel-guzzling mileage numbers (12/17-mpg city/highway)
Vital Stats: 2013 Land Rover LR4
Appeals to: Hardcore off-roading fans who want 5-star levels of luxury.
Base price: $49,995 (including $895 destination charge)
Drivetrain: 5.0-liter, 375-horsepower V-8, 6-speed automatic transmission (8-speed automatic for 2014 MY)
Major competitors: Porsche Cayenne, Infiniti QX60, Toyota Land Cruiser, Acura MDX