2015 Land Rover LR4

2015 Land Rover LR4 Reviews

The 2015 Land Rover LR4 is one of the few true SUVs left on the market; you’ll value that if you’re willing to trade off a little on-road nimbleness for uncompromised trail ability and top-notch interior comfort.

• Interior / Exterior »

The LR4 received an all-encompassing redesign for 2011; although it could be argued that this model’s fundamental design and silhouette haven’t changed that much since the 1990s. Both the LR4 and its predecessor, the LR3, are takeoffs on the upright design that Land Rover seemed to perfect in the 1990s with the Discovery. While mechanically the LR3 and LR4 were mammoth leaps ahead, they tended to be quite evolutionary in a design sense.



That said, the LR4 (or Discovery, as it’s called in other markets) is the most traditional-looking and conservative of Land Rover’s current lineup. Continuing to distinguish itself with its boxy, upright heritage in the face of more car-like crossovers and their sleeker, sexier styles, the LR4 is, to our eyes. Safari-chic well executed, and the tall box-on-box body is well proportioned, perhaps the most instantly recognizable as from Land Rover, even though the brand has been taking off in a more rakish design direction with the latest Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Evoque.
Visually and aesthetically, the 2015 LR4 remains a relative outsider to the rest of the SUV class — and that’s something you won’t escape from inside, with its very upright interior layout that you’re likely to either love, or find off-putting. With the suave leather-trimmed dash, rich wood trim, and soft-touch materials introduced in recent years, plus the relatively good control layout, the LR4 feels traditional in mission, yet plush and contemporary in the details.



A number of eye-catching interior combinations help emphasize what separates the LR4 from the rest; and for 2015 there’s a new Ebony/Cirrus Dual-tone Windsor Leather seating option, with a wood-and-leather-wrapped steering wheel. Separately, there’s a new Straight Grained Walnut wood and leather steering wheel available, and four new colors are offered for the exterior: Aruba, Kaikoura Stone, Montalcino Red, and Yulong (metallic white).
There’s also an optional Black Design Package, that includes special gloss-black treatments throughout, including to the grille, fender vents, and badging.

• Performance »

Last year heralded an all-new powertrain for the LR4. While we said that the previous V-8 didn’t really leave much room for improvement, fuel efficiency was its obvious sore point; and with a new 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering just as much (if not more) real-world punch while being stingier on gas, that’s been addressed.

Altogether there’s a lot of inherent goodness in the LR4 — provided you’re willing to live with some of its on-the-road compromises. It offers ample power, rugged off-road ability, and comfortable (not quite nimble) off-road performance — all countered with on-the-road handling that is by no means clumsy, yet not quite on the same level as now-popular crossovers.

For 2015, the sole engine for the LR4 remains a 3.0-liter V-6; direct injection, supercharging, dual-independent variable cam timing, and a high (10.5:1) compression ratio, it’s quite the modern engine, and makes 340 horsepower and a peak 332 pound-feet of torque. It’ll pull 0-60 mph times of around 7.5 seconds — almost as quick as the V-8 model that preceded it — while the ZF automatic transmission shifts smoothly and is prompt to downshift whenever needed.
That transmission is now shifted via a dial on the center console, while steering-wheel paddles can command individual shifts. It’s a clever, almost jewel-like setup, with the shift knob ‘disappearing,’ flush with the center console when you turn off the ignition.
The 2015 LR4 is definitely not a crossover, and at around 6,000 pounds and one of the taller, most upright SUVs on the market, it won’t be mistaken for one. But for a vehicle that approaches 6,000 pounds, it’s a little more deft and athletic than you might think in the first few minutes that you’re behind the wheel. First impressions lead you to think that the LR4 is a little tipsy, but as you find with more driving, it’s more an adjustment in mindset due to the high driving position and tall sides.
Once you’re past that, you’ll find cornering surprisingly good, owing to the LR4′s fully independent suspension and height-adjustable air springs. Body roll is noticeable, however, and the steering is vague and numb enough to discourage any spirited on-road driving. All in, the LR4 is capable and comfortable on the road, but it makes its size and weight, as well as its off-road intent, known.
As another by-product of all that height, and the tall tires and off-road kit, you’ll find quite a bit of nosedive when braking hard; pedal feel has been much improved in recent years, however, compared to Land Rovers of the past.
The LR4 really hits its stride once the pavement ends; and in addition to that capable suspension, the 2015 Land Rover LR4 packs Land Rover’s brilliant off-road electronics, including Terrain Response, which lets the driver set the traction control and other drivetrain parameters to suit the grip conditions–with handily labeled modes like “mud and ruts” or “sand and dunes.”
A central-locking differential engages when conditions warrant maximum grip, and Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control modes, which help tackle steep slopes that are either loose or slippery.

Two off-road setups are offered. The base system has a single-speed Torsen transfer case, while with the Heavy Duty Package you get a two-speed transfer case with active-locking rear differential and full-size spare.
Towing capability is strong, too — up to 7,716 pounds, properly equipped with a braked trailer.
Unabashedly boxy, as an off-road SUV should be, uncompromised off-road, and quintessentially British throughout, the Land Rover LR4 stands as a luxury SUV with especially limited appeal in 2015. Yet with a more fuel-efficient powertrain, reasonably coordinated on-the-road handling, and a comfortable ride and interior, it’s definitely not as far out of step of the luxury mainstream as the looks suggest.
Without a doubt the most traditional looking of the luxury ute brand’s current range, the 2015 Land Rover LR4 stands tall, with upright sides, sharp corners, and an uber-boxy look. It’s best described as safari-chic — and an iteration of the Land Rover look that’s carried forward with the Discovery in the 1990s and the LR3 the last decade. While the cabin is upright to match, you’ll find the LR4′s interior to have a good balance of form and function, with rich wood veneers and soft-touch materials and a clean control layout.

We wouldn’t call the 2015 Land Rover LR4 particularly nimble or capable on the road, although it’s graceful in its own way — but better than you might expect given the tall, boxy proportions. The steering remains quite numb, but the LR4 doesn’t at all feel as tipsy as the seating position initially suggests. Last year heralded an all-new powertrain for the LR4. While we said that the previous V-8 didn’t really leave much room for improvement, fuel efficiency was its obvious sore point; and with a new 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering just as much (if not more) real-world punch while being stingier on gas (now up to 15 mpg city, 19 highway), that’s been addressed. With direct injection, supercharging, dual-independent variable cam timing, and a high (10.5:1) compression ratio, it’s quite the modern engine, and makes 340 horsepower and a peak 332 pound-feet of torque. It’ll pull 0-60 mph times of around 7.5 seconds — almost as quick as the V-8 model that preceded it — while the ZF automatic transmission shifts smoothly and is prompt to downshift whenever needed.
The LR4 really hits its stride once the pavement ends; and in addition to that capable suspension, the 2015 Land Rover LR4 packs Land Rover’s brilliant off-road electronics, including Terrain Response, which lets the driver set the traction control and other drivetrain parameters to suit the grip conditions–with handily labeled modes like “mud and ruts” or “sand and dunes.” A central-locking differential engages when conditions warrant maximum grip, and Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control modes, which help tackle steep slopes that are either loose or slippery.
Two off-road setups are offered. The base system has a single-speed Torsen transfer case, while with the Heavy Duty Package you get a two-speed transfer case with active-locking rear differential and full-size spare. And towing capability is strong — up to 7,716 pounds, properly equipped with a braked trailer.

With either five- or seven-passenger seating, the LR4′s cabin is refined and quiet, with excellent comfort for the first and second rows, even for taller occupants. The ride is rather plush as well. and the cabin keeps both road noise and wind noise at bay — to a degree that you wouldn’t expect in a vehicle with this sort of truck-like profile. The height-adjustable air suspension offers four settings: Access (lower for loading/unloading), Standard, Off-Road, and Extended.
There are three trim levels of the 2015 Land Rover LR4: base, HSE, and HSE LUX. The LR4 lineup has a price that starts around the $50k mark, it’s not surprising that you get quite a few luxury and convenience features, even if you don’t check a lot of option boxes. Whether or not to go with the seven-passenger layout (a $1,250 option) is probably one of the first decisions you should make. Then consider that opting for the HSE or HSE LUX models enables useful extras like the surround-view camera system and Trailer Hitch Assist, as well as more lavish interior trims.
For 2015, infotainment systems have been upgraded, and LR4 models gain a new suite of InControl Apps, with Internet radio, location services, media streaming, and satellite navigation all available through special smartphone-based apps — with your iPhone or Android handset of choice connected via USB.
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