Hoping to piggyback on the success of sporty crossover cousin the Range Rover Evoque, the redesigned-for-2013 Land Rover LR2 shows its lineage in the driving experience, but inside the cabin strays from its luxury gene pool. Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek says the compact SUV’s 240-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, provides generally enthusiastic acceleration. Still, chintzy plastic interior trim, a distracting heated-windshield mechanism and lack of a power liftgate might have you looking to spend your $45,000 elsewhere in the family.
Former Assistant Managing Editor-News Matt Schmitz is a veteran Chicago journalist indulging his curiosity for all things auto while helping to inform car shoppers.