Need to maneuver some small mountains or shallow streams on your commute? You're in luck; Land Rover’s set to showcase its 2016 LR4 in the late summer of 2015. While not quite as rugged as its Range Rover cousins, this 5- to 7-passenger midsize luxury sport ute will fit in with the well-heeled family getting to a particularly remote summer cabin, while still toting all the expected bells and whistles. Few significant changes are expected this year, although the British automaker hints at some nips and tucks to the profile, including blacked out side pillars, which are likely to be complemented by a couple of tweaks to some interior materials and creature comforts.

Again for the upcoming year, the LR4 is slated for 3 trims: the Base, up-featured HSE, and top-shelf HSE LUX. All of them pack standard 4-wheel drive (4WD) in a couple of configurations. The basic full-time 4WD system includes a single-speed transfer case, similar to a traditional intelligent all-wheel drive setup, while an available Heavy Duty package offers a terrain-taming 4WD configuration featuring a 2-speed transfer case, auto-locking hubs, and a rear locking differential. Additionally, Land Rover’s touted Terrain Response driver control function boasts selections for everyday highway cruising as well as driving over grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, and sand. Furthermore, the Heavy Duty package includes a “rock crawl” setting for those serious off-road adventures. Be advised, however, that the 2016 LR4 remains a bit more comfy off-road than on.

The 2016 LR4 lineup should return packing the peppy 3.0-liter supercharged V6 powerplant, mated to a capable 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Expect 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque from this heady super-force-fed 6-cylinder, to the tune of 14 mpg city/19 highway/16 combined. Should you want to bring the bass boat along, the LR4 can pull up to 7,700 pounds of trailer without breaking a sweat.

Also expected to return for 2016 is the veritable cornucopia of high-end appearance doo-dads and convenience bling Land Rover is justifiably famous for. Basic exterior perks should include 19-inch alloy wheels, a power front sunroof and fixed rear sunroof, side steps, and an adaptive air suspension.

Inside, look for the 2016 LR4 to feature standard leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and full power accessories. All this is bolstered by dual-zone automatic climate control, a remote garage door opener, a rear-view camera, and rear parking sensors. Of course, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering also remain standard throughout the lineup, as does an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Meanwhile, Land Rover’s nifty InControl infotainment system again features a 7-inch touchscreen and plays well with the Bluetooth interface, while the potent Meridian premium audio system is scheduled to return offering 380 watts, 11 speakers, and auxiliary audio input.

Higher LR4 trims are expected to add heated second-row seats, a third row of seating (the 7-Seat Comfort package), GPS navigation, memory for driver settings, front parking sensors, a cooled storage compartment, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel, and a 17-speaker Surround-Sound audio upgrade.

Currently, options include 20-inch alloy wheels, smartphone apps added to the InControl feature, and a Black Design package offering blacked-out exterior trim pieces and black alloy wheels. No word on any upgrades to available equipment for 2016.

Standard safety features throughout the upcoming year’s LR4 lineup should still include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags, with those trims offering the third row of seating getting 3-row head curtain airbags. LED daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, a post-collision safety system, InControl emergency telematics, and a remote antitheft alarm also grace all LR4 trims, while the HSE and HSE LUX both add standard high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights to the list.

Finally, a few owners of the current LR4 note some mechanical reliability issues, but none question the high-end feel and the all-weather capabilities of this downsized ute.