1st place : Land Rover LR2
The LR2 was a near unanimous winner. Only one of our testers placed it in 4th place, while the others gave it first- or second-place marks. Yet, at first glance, no one thought it could beat the rest of the pack with such ease.
Granted, our judges were apprehensive before the off-road competition since the Land Rover was equipped with standard, performance-oriented Continental tires that are not really suited for extreme action. This drawback was felt on more than one occasion, particularly during steep climbs: it was hard to keep the wheels from spinning and to maintain a good momentum. The LR2 still managed to complete every challenge, except for one steep and very narrow climb; its ground clearance would have prevented the vehicle from clearing the obstacle without suffering serious damage.
On the road, the LR2 enjoyed a vivid success. Its powerplant is dynamic although maxed out, and the sound is more akin to that of a sports car than a regular SUV. The smooth suspensions make every trip enjoyable. On the other hand, their travel is a bit too short for overcoming obstacles in the trail. The seats, meanwhile, are easily adjustable and flawlessly supportive.
Of course, a couple of design elements more or less appealed to some team members, both inside and out. A wide-open gap (probably for the optional navigation system) disrupts the middle of the dashboard, creating an ill-advised layout.
In the trails, however, the LR2 is amazing. The Terrain Response system offers five different settings depending on terrain conditions, which ensures optimal performance at all times.
Pleasant on the road and competent off the beaten path, the best-of-both-worlds Land Rover proved to be the most versatile of the bunch. That's why it earned the gold medal.
"Call it underrated or the underdog. The LR2 might not be as capable in the trails as I expected, but it makes up for it by offering a smooth ride everywhere it goes. For those who like to go off-road but hate getting tossed around." - Michel Deslauriers
The LR2 was a near unanimous winner. Only one of our testers placed it in 4th place, while the others gave it first- or second-place marks. Yet, at first glance, no one thought it could beat the rest of the pack with such ease.
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Granted, our judges were apprehensive before the off-road competition since the Land Rover was equipped with standard, performance-oriented Continental tires that are not really suited for extreme action. This drawback was felt on more than one occasion, particularly during steep climbs: it was hard to keep the wheels from spinning and to maintain a good momentum. The LR2 still managed to complete every challenge, except for one steep and very narrow climb; its ground clearance would have prevented the vehicle from clearing the obstacle without suffering serious damage.
On the road, the LR2 enjoyed a vivid success. Its powerplant is dynamic although maxed out, and the sound is more akin to that of a sports car than a regular SUV. The smooth suspensions make every trip enjoyable. On the other hand, their travel is a bit too short for overcoming obstacles in the trail. The seats, meanwhile, are easily adjustable and flawlessly supportive.
Of course, a couple of design elements more or less appealed to some team members, both inside and out. A wide-open gap (probably for the optional navigation system) disrupts the middle of the dashboard, creating an ill-advised layout.
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In the trails, however, the LR2 is amazing. The Terrain Response system offers five different settings depending on terrain conditions, which ensures optimal performance at all times.
Pleasant on the road and competent off the beaten path, the best-of-both-worlds Land Rover proved to be the most versatile of the bunch. That's why it earned the gold medal.
"Call it underrated or the underdog. The LR2 might not be as capable in the trails as I expected, but it makes up for it by offering a smooth ride everywhere it goes. For those who like to go off-road but hate getting tossed around." - Michel Deslauriers
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