2009 Land Rover LR2

NEW FOR 2009:

- Standard 19-inch Sparkle Silver or optional Shadow Chrome wheels replace 18-inch standard wheels

- Clear side-mounted turn signal lenses, dark tail lamp background, 12-volt power socket in cargo compartment, and front-seat map lights

- Optional Premium Sound Package adds Sirius satellite radio

- New HST exterior body styling package

- Exterior colour: Almond leather and Nutmeg carpet combination; Dark Laurel and Satin Silver interior trim colours replace Eucalyptus and Pixel finishes

- Exterior colours: Martinique Blue and Lago Grey added

An all-new model for 2008, the Land Rover LR2 receives minor trim changes for 2009. The previous 18-inch wheel size is now an available option, with 19-inch wheels now standard. Side-mounted turn signal lenses are now clear, and the tail lamp background is now a darker shade. The new HST Package adds a mesh grille, painted bumpers, side sill enhancements, and dual HST exhaust tips.

The LR2 uses a 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Haldex permanent all-wheel drive system is front-wheel biased, and uses a "pre-charge" to the electronically-actuated coupling for instant torque transfer when required, detecting traction loss at just 15 degrees of slip. A driver-selectable Terrain Response system can be set into one of four modes: general driving, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, and sand.

The LR2 comes in a single trim line, the HSE, and includes 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way driver and six-way passenger power-adjustable heated perforated leather seats, rear spoiler, driver's knee airbag, cargo cover, keyless entry with pushbutton start, heated mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, headlight washers, front and rear fog lamps, dual-panel panoramic sunroof, privacy glass, tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, heated windshield washer nozzles, auto-down windows, trip computer, rear park assist, and six-CD stereo with auxiliary input and wheel-mounted controls.

Available options include adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, premium stereo and navigation system.

Although it lacks the heavy-duty, rock-crawling capability of its larger Land Rover siblings, the LR2 will still get passengers over most nasty surfaces, while maintaining nimble and smooth on-road performance. The cabin is extremely quiet, although the controls are overly complicated, but overall, this is a viable contender in the luxury compact SUV segment.