2008 Land Rover LR2

Baby Land Rover

Land Rover thinks big in a small package.

Performance

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The LR2 uses a keyless entry system that requires drivers to insert a plastic “key” — basically a square fob with buttons for locking the doors — into a slot on the dashboard before the start/stop button will fire up the engine. While this is an extra step that systems found in other luxury vehicles forgo, absentminded drivers will appreciate it as a logical way to avoid losing the key, or taking it with you when someone else, like a valet attendant, needs to drive the car — or leaving it in the vehicle by accident.

Once drivers adapt to the start-up procedure, they’ll find that the LR2’s 230-hp 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine transforms the little SUV into a different breed than the wimpy Freelander, whose lackluster engine only managed 174 hp. Still, the 4,255-pound LR2 isn’t exactly speedy, taking 8.4 seconds to reach 60 mph at full acceleration — that’s about average for the class.

The steering response is nimble enough but retains that Land Rover robustness designed to withstand jarring abuse on rough terrain. Full-time all-wheel drive makes the LR2 feel sure-footed regardless of the road or terrain and, as on other Land Rover models, its advanced Terrain Response System takes the guess work out of navigating particularly treacherous roads. The driver can select different settings depending on the type of terrain, whether it be slick, level, steep, rutted or snowy, and the vehicle’s onboard computer automatically adjusts suspension, throttle, transmission and brake settings to keep the LR2 moving on course.

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The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and can be operated manually by tapping the center transmission lever up or down. But there are no paddles on the steering wheel for manual shifting.

Every Land Rover is thoroughly abused by test engineers and built to withstand the most punishing conditions. That’s why, even though the LR2 may share its transmission components with certain Volvo models (Ford owns Land Rover and Volvo), its hardware has additional seals to safeguard against dust and muck, and also includes a more sophisticated lubrication system designed for the higher stress and temperatures caused by driving slowly over rough terrain.

While Moroccan deserts and trails provide the ultimate test in off-road skill that everyday commuters will never experience, the challenging route on our test-drive proves a point: The LR2 is tough. And it’s trail-ready sturdiness translates to on-road safety, with standard roll stability control and electronic brake assist.

Under the heat of the bright Moroccan sun, a cadre of Land Rover LR2s climbs to the peak of a mountainous sand dune. Like ducks in a row, diving in sequence for fish, each one descends in a graceful swoop to the belly of the dune, splaying sand in its wake. It’s a dramatic moment, and Land Rover wouldn’t have it any other way.