LR4 - Is there an equivalent in ride/driving experience?

Okay guys, I know this sounds crazy, but I have a 2012 LR4 and have had since it rolled off the truck in 2011. I've tried to find something that I like driving just a much, but I just haven't. Since that time, I've had the MB GL, BMW X5M, Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, Cadillac CTS-V, Toyota 4Runner and I've also test driven a number of other vehicles. The problem is, I've just not found a vehicle that feels like the LR4. I don't even know how I'd describe it other than saying it's solid and smooth.

Surely there are some other vehicles that compare, but I don't know what they are. I'd love to know what you've driven that offers a comparable experience. Cost is not really an issue if it's the right vehicle, so if you've found one, please let me know.

Thanks!

Hey, bash5351, nice post. I'm a new owner of a 2011 LR4. The two words you used are the exact ones I use. I say to myself, "What in the heck makes this LR4 so special that you would put up with all the risk and expense of owning it?" The answer I come back with is the ride - solid and smooth. I like the way it looks, it's muscular and iconic. I like the layout, leather seats, 3rd row, large cargo area (with the seats folded down), great visibility, off-road capacity, kickin' sound system (when it works), fun stuff like heated seats and steering wheel, heck it can even lift up and down. But at the end of the day, all that stuff is fine, but it is that smooth ride in a vehicle that feels solid that makes it special to me.

BigBriDogGuy,​

To be honest, I am hoping someone will come on here and tell me that the new Range Rover, Defender V8 or some variant of the MB G Wagon is similar, but I just don't know. I'm fairly stuck on v8 vehicles, so that really limits what I'm interested in.

The only RR that I've driven was around 2020 and it had 22" wheels. To be honest, I have't been in any vehicle with 22" wheels that seemed smooth to me. If I could do it over again, I'd buy two more brand new V8 LR4s.

Maybe the Defender 130. I saw a video where it was driving, and at a pretty good clip, over washboard ruts and the wheels were bouncing and rattling around, but the body somehow magically never seemed to move, stayed absolutely level and on plane. Never been in one myself, but everyone seems to agree the Defender is the contender as replacement for LR4.

I have a defender V8, it's the closest thing you'll get to an LR4. I still like my LR4 more though

I've been seeing a lot of these new Ford Broncos around. I have to admit, they catch my eye. Not sure how they drive or anything else about them. Anyone test drive/own one?

I believe it is the IBF. Nice rigid body structure literally plopped on top of a legitimate truck chassis.

"Built like a tank" is a cliche term, but it is applicable in this case.

I doubt you will ever see another vehicle mass produced with this structure.

bash535i said:

BigBriDogGuy,​

To be honest, I am hoping someone will come on here and tell me that the new Range Rover, Defender V8 or some variant of the MB G Wagon is similar, but I just don't know. I'm fairly stuck on v8 vehicles, so that really limits what I'm interested in.

The only RR that I've driven was around 2020 and it had 22" wheels. To be honest, I have't been in any vehicle with 22" wheels that seemed smooth to me. If I could do it over again, I'd buy two more brand new V8 LR4s.

Click to expand...

You can get the V8 defender with 20s. And the v8 FFRR should support 20s, even if its not a factory option.

Lexus LX570 (I prefer the old LX470 but these are getting old)

bash535i said:

I've tried to find something that I like driving just a much, but I just haven't. Since that time, I've had the MB GL, BMW X5M, Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, Cadillac CTS-V, Toyota 4Runner and I've also test driven a number of other vehicles. The problem is, I've just not found a vehicle that feels like the LR4. I don't even know how I'd describe it other than saying it's solid and smooth.

Click to expand...

This sums up why we haven't replaced my wife's LR4. It's somewhat of a third vehicle now but still used for all kinds of kid hauling a road trips, esp. road trips, they are the best. The new Defender is great, my parents bought one, but it's just not the same view out the front window. Honestly, our friends X7 is pretty good and close to the smooth/heavy feel, but it's nearly10x what the Lr4 is worth right now and it's not worth that much to us.