Lexington, KY - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a million times more: I’m a sucker for something built with a purpose. I don’t care if it’s a well-designed pair of jeans or a Porsche 911; if it’s built to do something and it does that thing to the very best of its ability (and better than anyone else), and makes no allowances for that purpose or pretends to be anything else then all hail that product.
Enter the 2013 Land Rover LR4.
All hail the LR4.
It’s big, it’s boxy and it’s bloody beautiful (in my opinion). Why? Not because of its exterior looks, but because of what it can do when you’re behind the wheel. Whether you’re scaling your local suburban streets to get the groceries or off-roading on an exploratory weekend camping extravaganza; the 2013 Land Rover LR4 has you covered -- and that’s just fantastic.
What is a Land Rover LR4?
To anyone outside North America, he knows this particular model as the Land Rover Discovery 4. Now in its fourth generation (hence the LR4 badging), the Discovery has been around since the late ‘80s. An off-shoot of the much loved and hailed Land Rover Defender, the Discovery was introduced to compete with the more affordable SUVs of the times.
Since then, the Land Rover Discovery has gone through a few minor cosmetic changes (keeping that boxy, utilitarian look for the most part) and a host of engine choices.
In short, the Land Rover LR4 is a highly capable off-roader equipped with a host of luxurious amenities.
Technicalities
The 2013 Land Rover LR4 is available in three trim levels (base, HSE and HSE LUX), the Land Rover LR4’s base price is $59,490. The top of the line HSE LUX model (which gets your more technological bits and pieces) jumps to the $70,790 mark.
Across the line, all 2013 Land Rover LR4 models are equipped with an LR-V8 5.0L engine good for 375 horsepower. Power is handled via a 6-speed CommandShift transmission. With its 2-speed transfer gearbox , and Land Rover’s 4-Corner Electronic Air Suspension and Terrain Response, the LR4 is truly built to handle whatever you throw its way, and in any season.
Driving the Land Rover LR4
While I didn’t get to do a 400-mile road trip across deserts, rocks, mountains and highways, I did spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel on the Horse Park grounds in Lexington, KY. What did I learn in that too-short period of time? That the LR4 is still as purpose-built as it ever was.
With a specially designed off-road course at my disposal, I dutifully drove the 2013 Land Rover LR4 where few other off-road vehicles would dare venture. From a controlled hill decent with zero brake input from yours truly to uneven, rocky surfaces that pushed the 4-corner suspension to its limit, all the way to a water wade that would have most checking for leaks in the footwells; the Landie never let me down. So impressed was I with the LR4 that I insisted on taking more than one run at the course.
It was just as comfortable traversing the back roads of the Horse Park. Driving position is phenomenal, and despite the Land Rover LR4’s rather large size, it handles very well. Power is there when you need it, but also kept at bay during more reserved, careful climbs over uneven surfaces.
Inside and Out of the Land Rover LR4
For 2013, the LR4 didn’t just get a new face, it also got some nifty interior upgrades as well. From a more upscale feel to the cabin through soft-touch materials and mood lighting to a unique combination of seating in the back (the LR4 offers a 35:30:35 row set-up), the 2013 Land Rover LR4 is definitely a luxurious way to transport yourself and six of your closest friends.
From the outside, the LR4 remains ever boxy, and I adore that. It’s not pretending to be something else. The moment you lay eyes on this SUV you know what it’s all about. You don’t have to question, is it a crossover? A wagon? A hatch? Watch, maybe it’s one of those fancy SAVs… Kudos to you Land Rover for sticking to the LR4’s shape.
Comparing the Land Rover LR4
When it comes to rugged off-road ability, few can compete with the likes of the 2013 Land Rover LR4. They’ve been doing it for 65 years, and they’ll be doing it for another 65 at this rate. However, in terms of passenger room and a vague form of off-road capability, you’re looking at the likes of the VW Touareg or even the Lexus GX 460.
Enter the 2013 Land Rover LR4.
All hail the LR4.
It’s big, it’s boxy and it’s bloody beautiful (in my opinion). Why? Not because of its exterior looks, but because of what it can do when you’re behind the wheel. Whether you’re scaling your local suburban streets to get the groceries or off-roading on an exploratory weekend camping extravaganza; the 2013 Land Rover LR4 has you covered -- and that’s just fantastic.
What is a Land Rover LR4?
To anyone outside North America, he knows this particular model as the Land Rover Discovery 4. Now in its fourth generation (hence the LR4 badging), the Discovery has been around since the late ‘80s. An off-shoot of the much loved and hailed Land Rover Defender, the Discovery was introduced to compete with the more affordable SUVs of the times.
Since then, the Land Rover Discovery has gone through a few minor cosmetic changes (keeping that boxy, utilitarian look for the most part) and a host of engine choices.
In short, the Land Rover LR4 is a highly capable off-roader equipped with a host of luxurious amenities.
Technicalities
The 2013 Land Rover LR4 is available in three trim levels (base, HSE and HSE LUX), the Land Rover LR4’s base price is $59,490. The top of the line HSE LUX model (which gets your more technological bits and pieces) jumps to the $70,790 mark.
Across the line, all 2013 Land Rover LR4 models are equipped with an LR-V8 5.0L engine good for 375 horsepower. Power is handled via a 6-speed CommandShift transmission. With its 2-speed transfer gearbox , and Land Rover’s 4-Corner Electronic Air Suspension and Terrain Response, the LR4 is truly built to handle whatever you throw its way, and in any season.
Driving the Land Rover LR4
While I didn’t get to do a 400-mile road trip across deserts, rocks, mountains and highways, I did spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel on the Horse Park grounds in Lexington, KY. What did I learn in that too-short period of time? That the LR4 is still as purpose-built as it ever was.
With a specially designed off-road course at my disposal, I dutifully drove the 2013 Land Rover LR4 where few other off-road vehicles would dare venture. From a controlled hill decent with zero brake input from yours truly to uneven, rocky surfaces that pushed the 4-corner suspension to its limit, all the way to a water wade that would have most checking for leaks in the footwells; the Landie never let me down. So impressed was I with the LR4 that I insisted on taking more than one run at the course.
It was just as comfortable traversing the back roads of the Horse Park. Driving position is phenomenal, and despite the Land Rover LR4’s rather large size, it handles very well. Power is there when you need it, but also kept at bay during more reserved, careful climbs over uneven surfaces.
Inside and Out of the Land Rover LR4
For 2013, the LR4 didn’t just get a new face, it also got some nifty interior upgrades as well. From a more upscale feel to the cabin through soft-touch materials and mood lighting to a unique combination of seating in the back (the LR4 offers a 35:30:35 row set-up), the 2013 Land Rover LR4 is definitely a luxurious way to transport yourself and six of your closest friends.
From the outside, the LR4 remains ever boxy, and I adore that. It’s not pretending to be something else. The moment you lay eyes on this SUV you know what it’s all about. You don’t have to question, is it a crossover? A wagon? A hatch? Watch, maybe it’s one of those fancy SAVs… Kudos to you Land Rover for sticking to the LR4’s shape.
Comparing the Land Rover LR4
When it comes to rugged off-road ability, few can compete with the likes of the 2013 Land Rover LR4. They’ve been doing it for 65 years, and they’ll be doing it for another 65 at this rate. However, in terms of passenger room and a vague form of off-road capability, you’re looking at the likes of the VW Touareg or even the Lexus GX 460.
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