2013 Land Rover LR2 Review: Performance and Comfort in Ras Al Khaimah

Driving Experience of the 2013 Land Rover LR2 in Ras Al Khaimah

Introduction

We took the 2013 Land Rover LR2 for a spin in the beautiful city of Ras Al Khaimah. Upon first glance, the vehicle exudes beauty with its sleek design typical of compact SUVs, featuring the signature Land Rover headlights. Our initial impression upon entering the car was astonishing! It stands out as one of the best models of the LR2, equipped with all the expected features. The interior combines red and black materials, a choice that aligns with market preferences. Nevertheless, the quality is top-notch, which is expected from a British manufacturer.

Performance

The car is powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower at 5500 RPM and 339 Nm of torque at 3200 RPM. The power is readily available when needed, though there is a slight delay due to turbo lag. Once the turbo kicks in, the vehicle showcases its capabilities. The 2.0 T engine is an upgrade from the previous naturally aspirated 3.2 liter engine known for the LR2, also referred to as the Freelander. The handling of the car is impressive! This became evident when I had to swerve to avoid goats roaming around Ras Al Khaimah; the vehicle's control was exceptional and prompt, which is what we expect from an SUV.

Driving Performance

In terms of performance, the 18 inch wheels and suspension system provide a smooth ride. The rugged roads of Ras Al Khaimah truly tested the suspension system of this English vehicle, and the LR2 handled them well. We then headed to the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah to put the terrain program to the test. I switched to the "gravel and grass" mode while driving on a gravel-filled road. You could feel the system adjusting to maintain the vehicle's movement, and I must say, I was impressed by the noticeable difference in driving with the system activated compared to when it was off. Without the system, the vehicle struggled to move. One of the best features of this system is that it displays the current direction of the wheels on the screen, helping you know how to navigate.

Interior

Despite the attractive color scheme of the interior, legroom is limited for taller individuals (around 1.85 meters), even with the seat pushed back. In terms of equipment, it comes with all the amenities you would expect in a British car. It features keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof. The Bluetooth technology is very user-friendly, allowing you to connect your phone within 10 seconds.

Air Conditioning and Navigation System

The dual air conditioning system is very effective, which is ideal for hot climates. However, you cannot keep it on a normal setting as it gets excessively cold, leading you to turn it off, only to turn it back on when it becomes too warm again. The navigation system can be complicated to use; you cannot search for a specific location within a city but must search through the entire country list, which can be time-consuming and impractical. The internal computer system had a glitch, showing that the fuel gauge was in the red zone with only 26 kilometers left before empty. I went to the nearest station and asked to fill the tank completely. The fuel gauge went up, but the computer system continued to give me both auditory and visual alerts. It might have been a minor glitch that could be improved.

Fuel Economy

The fuel economy is not the best in this vehicle; on the highway to/from Ras Al Khaimah at a speed of 120 km/h, it consumed approximately 13.7 liters per 100 km. In the city, the average consumption, as calculated by the computer, was 21.4 liters per 100 km. On top of that, the fuel tank is smaller than those in other vehicles in this class, holding only 70 liters.

Summary

At a price of 169,000 AED, the LR2 is somewhat pricey compared to other compact SUVs. However, it offers more luxury than its competitors. The LR2 is not an extremely rugged off-road vehicle but adapts well to gravel and muddy roads during winter days. In summary, the LR2 is suitable for someone looking for a good family car that can accommodate children and cargo while also handling rough terrains when necessary.