Land Rover: What's New for 2012

What's New for 2012: All Makes

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: An all-new compact SUV, the awkwardly named Land Rover Range Rover Evoque was designed to complement the similarly sized LR2 rather than replace it. Land Rover sees the Evoque as an extension of the top-class Range Rover model, so it not only gets the Range Rover name, it also gets a long list of high-end features and options that push its base price about $7,000 higher than the LR2. Available in two- and four-door configurations, the Evoque comes standard with all-wheel drive in the U.S. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the only engine and a six-speed transmission is the sole gearbox. With 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, it's a solid setup for an SUV of this type although the Evoque isn't likely to deliver the sheer performance that its sheet metal suggests.

2012 Land Rover LR2: With the Evoque sucking all the air out of the room when it comes to Land Rover's compact SUVs, the LR2 heads into 2012 with no significant changes.

2011 Land Rover LR4: There are only minimal changes to the 2012 Land Rover LR4 and most of them are confined to the interior. The standard audio system has been upgraded to a 14-speaker, 380-watt setup. If that is somehow inadequate for your tastes, there's an optional system with 17 speakers and 825 watts of power. If that's not enough, consult your local otolaryngologist. There's also a new touchscreen interface, improved iPod integration, Bluetooth streaming audio and hard drive storage for audio files. A voice-activation system has also been added, along with some minor updates to the instrument panel. The sole change to the exterior of the LR4 is a new style of optional wheels.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover: The big news for the Range Rover is the addition of the top-of-the-line Autobiography Ultimate Edition. It's hailed by Land Rover as the most luxurious Range Rover ever thanks to a hand-crafted interior complete with iPad docks for rear passengers and a teak-lined cargo bay. The rest of the configuration is largely up to the buyer, as each of the 500 Ultimate Edition Rovers produced will be by special order. That's what you get for $170,000 these days. Those forced to suffer the indignity of owning one of the lesser Range Rovers will have to live with some new exterior trim, revised exterior colors and a new audio system that now includes a standard iPod connector and HD radio. A new tow package is also available that adds a hitch, related electric connections, a variable differential lock, full-size spare tire and Land Rover's Adaptive Dynamics system (HSE and HSE Lux only).

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: The 2012 Range Rover Sport essentially gets the same interior upgrades as the LR4. So there's some new switchgear, a revised instrument panel, improved audio systems, better connectivity through Bluetooth and a "Whitefire" connector for rear-seat passengers. An improved navigation system with voice-activated controls is also part of the upgrades along with some new exterior colors, updated wheel designs and a power rear tailgate.