Tell an LR4 guy how to love that Defender rear door?

[toddjb122]

you guys must have great dogs. My 3 idiots jump over it and out every freaking time I open the top hatch.

That's a riot. I have two labs. I have had one of them jump over it on occasion. Now I open up the glass with my arm out ready to deflect escapes... I'm more afraid they are going to blow a shoulder out and cost me thousands than I care that they leap!

 

[swift]

OP: I was the most excited to see the Defender in person at the Chicago Auto Show, and it was frankly the most disappointed I've been in a while. It seemed a lot smaller than my LR3/4 which I think is the perfect vehicle. I'm on my 2nd one. I was really hoping it would be a better successor than the new Discovery. I just can't see myself buying one based on the size. I do love the front half, and the interior seemed modern but still rugged. That said, I'm going to baby the LR I have, because it's perfect.

 

[ktm525]

More disappointed than when you first laid eyes on a Discovery 5?

 

[PaulLR3]

OP: I was the most excited to see the Defender in person at the Chicago Auto Show, and it was frankly the most disappointed I've been in a while. It seemed a lot smaller than my LR3/4 which I think is the perfect vehicle. I'm on my 2nd one. I was really hoping it would be a better successor than the new Discovery. I just can't see myself buying one based on the size. I do love the front half, and the interior seemed modern but still rugged. That said, I'm going to baby the LR I have, because it's perfect.

It is annoying that the D5 and D110 are overall longer than an LR4 yet feel smaller inside. The D5 vehicle height is also too low...no stadium seating view for the rear passengers and even the driver is partially looking under the hood rather than looking over the hood. Guess we have to wait for a 130 that is probably a foot longer than an LR4 yet has the same interior space as an LR4.

Our Honda Passport has even more front and rear legroom than the LR4. If Honda can come up with decent leg room, why can't Land Rover?

 

[ktm525]

That is easy; the Passport is not burdened by having to fit in a third row and more importantly the primarily FWD transverse engine layout creates a larger passenger space.

 

[PaulLR3]

That is easy; the Passport is not burdened by having to fit in a third row and more importantly the primarily FWD transverse engine layout creates a larger passenger space.

Good point - the transverse engine and short hood do allow for more passenger space. It's also tall, maybe only an inch or two shorter than an LR4. Ours is AWD and the system is amazing in snow and sand so far. Plus you can call up a screen that shows torque distribution levels at each wheel, even on dry pavement.

 

[ktm525]

Interesting. I have considered adding a Passport as my Ridgeline has been stellar. How do you find the visibility of the Passport?

 

[PaulLR3]

Interesting. I have considered adding a Passport as my Ridgeline has been stellar. How do you find the visibility of the Passport?

Visibility is very good, just a little limited out the rear. Planned to add a CR-V to the family motor pool for our teen drivers since I wanted them to have auto braking, lane keep assist, side and rear approach warning and other modern safety assist features that may keep them from an accident. Hated the CR-V CVT, and dealer offered a Passport Elite at a deep discount.
Engine and transmission are great, very good audio, Garmin 3D nav is fantastic. AWD system appears unstoppable...pretty sure it's the same as the Acura SH-AWD system. Only flaw are the low profile OE 20" wheels. First thing I did was sell them and buy a set of Ridgeline 18" wheels & Michelin Defender tires.

 

[ktm525]

Did that help with ride quality? Currently my teen drivers are driving the LR4, they quite like it.

 

[PaulLR3]

Did that help with ride quality? Currently my teen drivers are driving the LR4, they quite like it.

Yes, better ride quality, better traction than the cheap OE Contis and I see a couple curb scuff marks on the tires that would have trashed the OE wheels that stuck out farther than the sidewalls.