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Premium midsize SUV; Built in England
  • 4-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $22,300 – $53,100*


2010 Land Rover LR4 front


2010 Land Rover LR4 profile


2010 Land Rover LR4 front

Pros:
  • True off-road ability
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Quietness
  • Ride quality
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Body lean in fast turns
  • Price
  • Third-row access/comfort

In a class trending toward luxury-crossover SUVs, the tall, off-road-oriented LR4 may seem a bit out of place. In reality, most of the time this SUV is likely to be used exactly the way its car-like competition is; and in that capacity, the Land Rover provides good passenger and cargo room, along with unexpected levels of refinement and comfort. Used off-road, LR4 easily ventures into many places that would leave some competitors waiting for a tow truck. Ultimately, the LR4 is challenged in the marketplace by perceptions more than reality–along with its hefty thirst for premium-grade gas.

Overview

For 2010, the Land Rover LR4 replaced the LR3 as this British automaker’s seven-passenger SUV. Though its exterior styling was similar to that of the 2005-09 Land Rover LR3, the new LR4 had a redesigned interior and a new engine. The sole engine was a new 375-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, which replaced the LR3’s 300-horsepower 4.4-liter V8. A six-speed automatic was the only transmission. Standard safety features included antilock braking, traction control, an antiskid system with rollover sensing, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Every LR4 had all-wheel drive with low-range gearing and Land Rover’s Terrain-Response system. This system has a console switch that enables the driver to change suspension and powertrain calibrations to accommodate normal driving, slippery pavement, mud, sand, and low-speed off-roading. Also standard was hill-descent control. Standard seating was for five, but an optional third-row bench could increase passenger capacity to seven. The available Lux Package included seven-passenger seating, upgraded leather interior trim, Xenon headlamps with high-beam assist, a cooler box in the center console, an upgraded harman/kardon stereo system, and a memory system that could save the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirror settings. The Lux Plus Package added a “Surround-Camera” system that shows the driver nearly the entire perimeter of the exterior on the navigation screen. Premium-midsize SUV rivals included the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Lexus RX, Volkswagen Touareg, and Volvo XC90.

Yearly Updates

2011 LR4
Following its introduction for the 2010 model year, the LR4 added several features for 2011, including new Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control. A Vision Assist Package was newly available for HSE models.
2012 LR4
Only minor trim changes marked the 2012 Land Rover LR4.
2013 LR4
The LR4 saw few noteworthy changes for 2013. Extended leather upholstery was a new option, along with a “Black Design Package” that included unique exterior trim and wheels.
2014 LR4
For 2014, Land Rover’s LR4 got a new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a fuel-saving start/stop feature. Updated styling, new available stereo systems, and a standard backup camera were also among the changes.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive

Only one powertrain was available in the 2008-13 LR4: a 5.0-liter V8 engine that generated 375 horsepower, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. For 2014, a 340-horsepower supercharged V6 with an eight-speed automatic was the only powertrain.

Supercharged dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/183
Engine HP 340
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 332
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 15/19

 20
dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.0/305
Engine HP 375
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 375
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 12/17

 12.3

Road Test

The V8 delivers good acceleration in this weighty SUV. Land Rover claimed a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, which feels a bit optimistic to us. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but some testers have complained of delayed downshifts when more power was needed.

Fuel economy is simply dismal. Consumer Guide testing, averaged just 12.1 to 12.4 mpg in mostly city driving. LR4 requires premium-grade gas.

An LR4 rides comfortably in nearly any situation. Body control is generally good, but some float and wallow occur over bumps. Certain pavement imperfections can send a shudder through the cabin, but that’s not unexpected from a traditional truck-type SUV.

Steering is nicely weighted, and tires are grippy. On the road, an LR4 suffers from noticeable body lean in fast turns. Off-road, this SUV inspires confidence, as expected from a Land Rover with its long off-roading heritage. The Terrain-Response system takes out most of the guesswork. Brakes are easy to modulate and provide strong stopping control.

Land Rover’s LR4 is impressively quiet for a large, upright SUV, and noise levels inside are competitive with many premium-brand sedans. The V8 engine emits a satisfying growl during acceleration, but it fades into the background at cruise. On the highway, only hints of road and wind noise are heard.

Gauges are mostly easy to read, though some drivers might have trouble deciphering the speedometer. Most major controls use well-identified buttons and knobs that are easy to locate and reach. Some secondary controls are accessed through the available navigation system’s touchscreen. The navigation system itself is relatively simple to operate, with intuitive on-screen menus. Setting Terrain Response, hill-descent control, and other off-road gear can puzzle the uninitiated. Interior materials are of high quality, and assembly is first-rate. The ambiance is more upscale outdoorsy than uptown opulent, but LR4’s understated decor looks classy and is well suited to Land Rover’s rugged pedigree.

An LR4 offers a commanding driving position, with comfortable and upright seats. Headroom is ample. Legroom is good. Some road-testers have complained of too little seat travel and a steering wheel that sticks out too far, even when pushed in as far as it will go. Excellent visibility is aided by the available obstacle-detection and perimeter-camera systems (if installed). Step-in height is SUV-acceptable, but the raised suspension setting makes entry more challenging for some folks.

Second-row seating is comfortable, with more than adequate headroom and legroom. Three adults can fit, but they might not care for that position during a long drive. Access to the third row is complicated by the tall step-up and a narrow pass-through. Space back there is suitable only for preteens.

The tall cargo hold has ample volume with no third-row seat, and reasonably good load space with that seat installed. Both rear rows fold flat to create a spacious load floor. The clamshell-style tailgate has been the subject of debate: Some testers praised its versatility, while others insisted that it complicates loading and unloading. Numerous useful bins and cubbies are found in the cabin, and models with the Lux Package include a cooled compartment in the center console.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2010 Land Rover LR4 Base w/Luxury Plus package

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 1
10%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 8
80%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 7
70%
Cargo Room - 9
90%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 62

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
113.6 190.1 85.7 74.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
90.3 22.8 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.4 42.4 42.4 37.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel gauge may be inaccurate, fluctuate or quit working due to electrical problems inside the fuel tank. (2010-11)
Steering problems
Description: Steering gear problems can be caused by a faulty halfshaft seal. (2013-14)
Water pump
Description: Water pump may leak due to seal failure. (2010-11)
Windows
Description: The rear door window(s) may malfunction by going back down after closing, requiring the window modules to be reinitialized. (2010-11)
Check-engine light
Description: Engine performance problems and a check engine light may develop due to restrictions in variable valve timing solenoids on the 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine. (2010-11)
Interior trim
Description: Headliner may sag requiring it to be glued back in place. (2010-11)

Recall History

2012-13 LR4
Description: Panoramic roof may not be properly secured to the roof assembly.
2013-14 LR4
Description: The tire-pressure monitoring system may give a false low-tire-pressure warning. Should a tire actually have low pressure, the driver would not be notified.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 21, 2016.
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