2013 Honda Accord V6 Touring: Driven
The Honda Accord is now in its ninth generation, and as we reported in our First Drive of the 2013... Read More
- #2LEADERBOARD RANK
- 2657ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
- 108COMMENTS POSTED
Around The Web
for such a large car the LR4 really moves gracefully and with little strain
responses from the helm are quicker and without the lumbering pauses that befell the LR3
We actually prefer the feel and weight of the LR4's steering to that of the hyper-sensitive Range Rover Sport or ultra-insulated Range Rover.
its turning radius is fantastically small
handles predictably and can be pushed harder than anyone has the right to expect from something this heavy
PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
for such a large car the LR4 really moves gracefully and with little strain
Winding Road
responses from the helm are quicker and without the lumbering pauses that befell the LR3
Car and Driver
We actually prefer the feel and weight of the LR4's steering to that of the hyper-sensitive Range Rover Sport or ultra-insulated Range Rover.
Automobile Magazine
its turning radius is fantastically small
Cars.com
handles predictably and can be pushed harder than anyone has the right to expect from something this heavy
Popular Mechanics
With 375 horsepower on tap, the heavy LR4 feels almost fleet and nimble, with plenty of power to move it to 60 mph in under 7.5 seconds. A six-speed automatic transmission teams with four-wheel drive in a body that weighs nearly 6,000 pounds.
The LR4 isn't as responsive on the road as carlike crossovers; the driving position is very tall, and it feels at first as if the LR4 is going to be tipsy in corners, but it maintains impressive composure in on-road cornering and on rough road surfaces better than most truck-based SUVs. That's thanks to an independent double-wishbone suspension with height-adjustable rear air springs and the LR4's range of electronic aids-and a series of revisions to its suspension and steering. There's still plenty of lean, though, and the LR4 is by no means a vehicle that you'd enjoy taking out on a canyon road.
Off-road is where it really hits its stride. A four-corner, independent, height-adjustable air suspension and Land Rover's exclusive Terrain Response system (with separate modes commanding the behavior of an armory of electronics for several different driving conditions, such as "mud and ruts" or "sand and dunes") help bring impressive off-road ability to the 2011 Land Rover LR4 without sacrificing on-road handling. A central-locking differential engages when conditions warrant maximum grip. And for 2011, Terrain Response has been improved, while new Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control modes help tackle steep slopes that are either loose or slippery.
To keep the LR4 at an even pace, Land Rover improved the brakes last year as well, with stopping distance as well as pedal feel improved versus its predecessor. That said, there's still a lot of nosedive and excess body motion when you stomp on the brakes firmly.
Conclusion
Off-road prowess is clearly the emphasis in the 2011 Land Rover LR4, but it isn’t as clumsy as you might think on-road.
