2008 Land Rover LR2

Pros: MID size secure & stable, low price, comfortable, quiet, more offroad capable than most

Cons: Smaller cargo, flimsy steering wheel, no cubby/cup holder standard, slightly mushy steering.

Review: I drive an '04 Discovery - while it was in for repair the dealer loaned me the LR2. I don't know what the poster above is talking about, I found this ride to be extremely comfortable. It has LR capability (supposedly) and the handling of a nimble ...

Pros: Styling, upscale interior, ride quality

Cons: Vague steering, squishy handling, no 8-way adjustment for driver seat

The Bottom Line: If you're seeking a Range Rover in a tidier, more affordable package, the LR2 now fits the bill. But an RDX or X3 competitor it is not.

Review: Going downmarket is always risky for a premium European brand. Go cheap enough to hit an affordable price point, and people could view the result as inauthentic and even downgrade the image of the entire brand. The first front-drive-based baby Land ...

Pros: Cute looking car, nimble around town compared to larger SUVs

Cons: Too harsh for long distance travel, potent new car smell takes weeks to wear off.

Review: This car was my attempt to downsize out of a family size SUV. It looks attractive and has that British interior style that I like. Unfortunately, the stiff suspension and firm seats are OK for short trips around town, but they get to be pretty unpleasant ...