In its third model year and coming off a complete redesign for 2010, Land Rover has made virtually no changes to the 2012 LR4, with the exception of minor upgrades to its navigation and sound system, adding a 380-watt amplifier, 7-inch color touchscreen and Bluetooth HandsFree Link access.

A single Base trim level is available for the 2012 Land Rover LR4. It comes equipped with a 375-hp 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine with direct fuel injection that achieves 375 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel drive LR4 is paired with a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission (with overdrive and CommandShift manual shift control) and is estimated to get 12 mpg city/17 highway using premium gasoline. The 4-door, 5-passenger LR4 has a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds.

Standard features on the 2012 Land Rover L4 are dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, remote power door locks, power windows, power steering, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, leather-wrapped alloy steering wheel with audio controls, leather and alloy shift knob, leather seating surfaces, 8-way power height-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar adjustment, 8-way power height-adjustable front passenger’s seat, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink, Alpine roof with integrated sunblinds and power tilt-and-slide front sunroof, power adjustable heated exterior mirrors, automatic halogen headlights with headlight power wash, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated rear window with wiper, roof racks, a 380-watt Harman Kardon sound system with AM/FM radio, in-dash single-CD player, touchscreen display, MP3 disc compatibility, and digital audio amplifier and 11 speakers including a subwoofer, auxiliary input, Bluetooth HandsFree connectivity, 2 USB ports, iPod connectivity and 19-inch 7-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with Continental 4x4 Contact tires.

Standalone options available for the 2012 Land Rover LR4 include a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats with 2 heat levels, rear-seat climate control, heated driver's and front passenger 8-way power adjustable seats with power lumbar support, remote keyless entry, heated windshield, rear-seat entertainment system with DVD, voice-activated navigation, Sirius XM satellite radio with a 3-month trial subscription, and 20-inch 10 split-spoke or 20-inch 5-spoke gloss black aluminum alloy wheels, both with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires.

Packages for the base model include the Climate Comfort Package, which combines the heated seats, rear climate control and heated windshield into one package, the Heavy Duty Package, which features an active locking rear differential and full-size spare tire with matching aluminum alloy wheel, and the 7-Seat Comfort Package, which adds third-row seating and additional side-curtain airbags, among other options. The HSE Pack adds the 7-Seat Comfort Package and rear-seat climate control. The HSE Luxury Pack has the same options as the HSE Pack, but adds the Climate Comfort Package as well.

Numerous safety and security features come standard on the 2012 Land Rover LR4, including 6 airbags (front passenger airbags, side-curtain airbags and side-thorax airbags), head restraint whiplash protection system, tire pressure monitoring system, front and rear fog lights, daytime running lights, a remote antitheft alarm system, engine immobilizer, 4-channel ventilated disc brakes with all-terrain antilock braking system and electronic brake assist, 4-wheel electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, hill descent control, hill start assist, gradient acceleration control, front and rear park distance control, and trailer stability assist.

Current Land Rover LR4 owners have mixed opinions about the handling the SUV offers. Many laud how well it handles off-road situations, with a powerful V8 engine and capable grip to handle most terrains, but are less impressed with its ability to handle day-to-day street driving. The ride, while comfortable, feels stiff, some say, and others state that cornering in the LR4 can sometimes create body roll that mimics that of an 18-wheeler.

In a class with the likes of the Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, its luxurious appointments and heady powertrain make the 2012 Land Rover LR4 more than capable of hanging with such stuff competition in the midsize luxury SUV class—as long as the sticker price and poor fuel mileage don’t scare you away.