The stylish 2008 LR2 looks every bit a boxy, off-road-ready Land Rover, yet it's oriented more toward on-road performance than the larger LR3 and Range Rover, with a "permanent intelligent" all-wheel-drive system that improves on-road fuel economy versus full-time mechanical systems, and gradient release control, a system that maintains vehicle control on steep, slippery slopes.

All LR2s come with a 230-horsepower, 3.2L in-line six-cylinder engine that's nearly identical to that used in the Volvo XC90. It's matched with a six-speed automatic transmission with CommandShift, which allows the driver to control shifts. In the LR2, the six can propel the LR2 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds.

The LR2's interior has been designed to make the most of the space it has; like other vehicles in the Land Rover lineup, the LR2 has "stadium seating," where back-seat passengers sit slightly higher than those in front, for a better view and improved legroom. There's also a standard two-piece sunroof to give the cabin more of a sense of airiness. It has one of the most spacious cargo areas in its class, with 26.7 cubic feet found behind the rear seats and nearly 59 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The LR2 rides on a fully independent suspension that's tuned both for on-road performance and off-road ability. Electronic stability control, with roll stability control to help mitigate the chance of a rollover, is standard. Mud and snow tires are also standard.

Both the SE and HSE trims that the LR2 is offered in come very well equipped, but the HSE adds such items as attractive 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, heated side mirrors, an on-and-off-road navigation system, parking sensors, walnut wood trim, Bluetooth hands-free, and a 550-watt harman/kardon Logic7 audio system with six-disc changer and 14 speakers. Options on the HSE include an active locking rear differential, heated rear seats and washer jets, and a cooler box.

Model Strengths

Comfortable ride; strong off-road ability; spacious seating and cargo room; available luxury features.

Model Changes

The LR2 is a completely new model for 2008, replacing the Freelander in Land Rover's lineup as the smallest model from the British maker of off-road SUVs.

Model Value

The 2008 LR2 is quite a departure from the Land Rovers of the past; it rides and drives much like a car, yet it has more off-road ability than a typical crossover SUV. Because of the innovative layout, seating is more spacious than expected for a compact SUV, and Land Rover says that the LR2's cargo space is among the best in class.

The Land Rover Freelander, recently re-named the Land Rover LR2 in North America, is a compact, four-wheel drive, crossover SUV from British Land Rover, a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company.

The Freelander, wholly designed by the Rover Group after early talks of a co-operation with BMW resulted in disinterest from the German side. Despite this, BMW secretly proceeded with their BMW X3, inspired by the Freelander prototype. It came off the production line in late 1997. It rapidly became the best selling compact 4x4 in Europe, out selling the BMW X3, as well as many other small off-roaders.

There are a variety of models, based around 5-door Station Wagon and 3-door Softback, Hardback and Commercial versions.

Engine choices include:

1.8-litre Rover K-Series petrol,badged as 1.8i

2.0-litre Rover L-series diesel,badged as Di

2.0-litre BMW TD4 diesel,badged as TD4

2.5-litre Rover KV6 petrol,badged as V6

Manual gearboxes dominated the early models but automatic Tiptronic-style gearboxes became increasingly popular, and were standard on the V6.

The marketing puts much emphasis on the offroad heritage of the Land Rover marque. While the first-generation Freelander is quite capable off-road, earning its credentials in the Camel Trophy and Land Rover G4 Challenge it represents a compromise. It does not have a low range gear selection nor a locking differential, as found on larger Land Rover models.

It was, however, the first Land Rover to feature hill descent control. This system, plus the capable off road Traction Control system uses the ABS to control individual brakes and keep driving under control in offroad situations.

The 1.8i Series models, although having a generally good build quality, has suffered greatly from premature blowing of the head gasket, in many cases prior to 30,000 miles. Land Rover has insisted that this is not a design fault and did not attempt a recall. There is documentary evidence here at the protest site www.freelanderheadgasket.co.uk