The Sacramento Bee's view

Say Land Rover to most folks, and you’re likely to get this reaction: rugged luxury sport-utility vehicle out of my price range.

Well, OK, that’s what you get with a vehicle lineup that includes the LR3 (priced at $41,435-$53,235), the Range Rover Sport ($57,235-$70,535) and the Range Rover ($76,535-$92,035).

But hold the phone. Land Rover has introduced an all-new 2008 model called the LR2 SE that starts at a relatively affordable $34,700. And while it’s not packed with scores of glorious goodies, it’s not stripped for that price.

In fact, the tested LR2 more than upheld Land Rover’s reputation as a producer of elegant SUVs that will roll over rocks, ford streams and tame off-road trails. And, yes, it handles pavement, too.

The compact, five-passenger LR2 replaces the Freelander in the lineup of the British-based SUV manufacturer under the Ford Motor Co. ownership umbrella. If you’ve longed for the upscale Land Rover experience without taking out a second mortgage, the LR2 shapes up as your best opportunity.

The first thing you should know is that it handles like a passenger car — easily more so than anything else Land Rover makes. This is by-design, with the LR2 rolling on a Ford car platform.

On paved surfaces, the tested LR2 with permanent all-wheel drive was a tad stiff, but otherwise nimble and responsive.

The monocoque construction of the LR2’s body travels smoothly on straight roads and mountain twisters, but stability and rigidity were especially evident on an off-road course about an hour’s drive north of Sacramento.

I’ve always been amazed how a Land Rover SUV eats up an off-road trail while I sit comfortably in its genteel interior cabin. It’s sort of like driving a tank outfitted inside like a five-star hotel.

The LR2 upholds this tradition nicely.

In off-pavement motoring, it felt utterly stable and sure-footed. While I went through the off-road paces, I was firmly situated and comfortable in my leather driver’s seat, with the moderate “whoosh” of the dual-zone climate control the only sound of note as the LR2 tackled the terrain. Impressive.

Kudos to Land Rover engineers on the LR2’s four-wheel electronic traction control, continuously varying front/rear torque split system and the automaker’s Terrain Response system that enables a driver to choose settings for grass, gravel, snow, mud, ruts and other off-road conditions.

Did I mention that the LR2 can roll through a stream nearly 20 inches deep with no problem? It can.

Exterior styling is pleasant. The LR2 rides high and has traditional Land Rover styling cues. Interior cargo space is good at nearly 59 cubic feet.

Please note that the LR2’s engine — a 3.2-liter in-line 6 rated at 230 horsepower — is quite capable on- and off-road, but it’s no neck-snapper. Zero-to-60 miles per hour times run in the 8.5 seconds range. That should work for most; this 4,255-pound SUV is not the kind of vehicle in which you blast away at the turn of the green light.

Like I said, the LR2 in basic trim is not stripped. Standard features include a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, a six-disc CD changer, steering wheel-mounted controls, push-button engine start, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof and a second, fixed-position sunroof.

An exceptional safety package includes air bags all around, rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear-park distance monitor and front/rear fog lamps.

If you want some of the primo features, however, pay you must.

The tester included a $3,500 Technology Package with a DVD-based navigation system and Bluetooth phone module, a $1,050 Lighting Package with bi-xenon headlamps and memory driver’s seat/exterior mirrors and a $700 Cold Climate Package with heated windshield, front seats and windshield washer fluid.

These perks put the bottom line on the tester at $39,950 — still a pretty easy number to take in this high-end SUV segment.

However, I averaged only slightly more than 20 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving, and Land Rover recommends premium unleaded for its LR2.

There are some things to get used to if you’re sampling a Land Rover for the first time. Interior controls don’t always follow the one-step logic of other makes. It might take you a couple extra steps to set the radio stations and some other functions, but these efforts are minor once you master the rhythm of the buttons and knobs.

Those who had bad experiences with the Land Rover Freelander — it suffered in some reliability studies — will be glad to know that Land Rover has insisted that the LR2 is a complete do-over. The LR2 shares about zero with the old Freelander, Land Rover said.

All things considered, the LR2 is worth a test drive — a premium brand for something less than a premium price.

2008 Land Rover LR2 at aglance

Make/model: 2008 Land Rover LR2 SE Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door, all-wheel-drive, luxury sport-utility vehicle Base price: $34,700 (as tested, $39,950) Engine: 3.2-liter in-line 6 with 230 horsepower at 6,300 revolutions per minute and 234 foot-pounds of torque at 3,200 rpm EPA fuel economy: 16 miles per gallon city; 23 mpg highway (estimated; premium unleaded recommended) Transmission: Six-speed automatic with overdrive and special features Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion Brakes: Power-assisted, four-wheel, ventilated discs with anti-lock, electronic brake force distribution and other braking-enhancement features Suspension: Independent, MacPherson strut-type on front; independent, multi-link on rear (anti-roll bars front and rear) Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons Passenger volume: 102 cubic feet (estimated) Maximum cargo volume: 58.9 cubic feet Curb weight: 4,255 pounds Height: 68.5 inches Length: 177.1 inches Wheelbase: 104.7 inches Width: 75.2 inches Track: 63.4 inches on front; 63.9 inches on rear Ground clearance: 8.3 inches Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds Tires: P235/60R18 radials Final assembly point: Halewood, England