The usual question around the end of August is “What did you do over the summer?” How would you like to change it up to, “Where did you GO over the summer and how many places didn’t have roads?” If you are the camping or off-road weekend warrior that still likes to travel in style mid-week, then you may want to consider the 2012 Land Rover LR4.
Land Rover has the reputation of offering amazing off-road capability with the ability to manage any road, path, or undiscovered country. You’ll receive all this while bathing in the comfort of high-end luxury attributes including a leather-appointed cabin and advanced technology. The 2012 LR4 lives up to its heritage.
LR4 is still fresh coming off a complete re-design in 2010. With a solid foundation, Land Rover has spent the last couple of years concentrating on upgrading its high-tech functions. For 2012 the LR4 receives significant audio/infotainment upgrades, a new compact smart key fob, 825-Watt Harman/Kardon® with 17 speakers, new 7-inch touch-screen, revised touch-screen navigation system with voice activation, traffic message channel capability, voice control for multiple devices, revised rear seat entertainment system with WhiteFire™ wireless control, new 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheel designs and new paint colors. Land Rover offers the LR4 with the HSE and HSE LUX upgrade packages, both of which include the 7-seat comfort package that’s also available for the standard LR4.
The 2012 LR4 comes in one model, HSE, which seats five. You can upgrade to seven passengers with the addition of a third seat that folds flat into the floor and is surprisingly comfortable. I took my test model on a camping exploration with three adult males and three four-year old boys. It did take two vehicles to handle all the gear, but once unloaded the LR4 effortlessly carried us from our base camp onward to discover other adventurous opportunities.
The styling of the LR4 is the most conservative and classic of the Land Rover family; however, the reality is that it is nimble and handles with confidence. Its profile exudes off-road self-assurance with its tall, rough, and boxy body and short overhangs. I say boxy, yet the LR4’s sheetmetal is softened by round edges throughout, starting from the hood down to the grille and rolling into the fenders. Even the roof line gently curves over the top. The privacy glass at the rear of the 2012 LR4 drapes up to a large dark Alpine roof bringing in light and exterior scenery for the rear passengers. The front passengers experience a panoramic view from a power sunroof.
The fenders are smooth and flares provide lots of room for the 19-inch and optional 20-inch alloy wheels. The rear hatch door is separated into a large upper glass door and a smaller lower metal door. The rear bumper also acts as a large step to assist with entering the rear cargo area.
The interior on the 2012 Land Rover LR4 is more what you would expect to find in a luxury vehicle versus a Sport Utility Vehicle. The blending is a success delivering luxury, comfort, and utility. The quality of the interior material is first class creating an environment that is luxurious and quiet with a beautiful fit and finish. A choice of natural-finish woods, along with leather stitched and wrapped fascia, door casings, and center console add to the LR4 model’s handcrafted feel.
The front row power seats are supportive and comfortable. The second row features a split 35/30/35 where we managed to secure three car seats in, along with ample leg room. As noted earlier, an optional third row seat is available bringing the total occupancy capacity to seven.
Many of the accessory functions are now part of the touch screen center instrument panel including radio, climate control, and navigation. New for 2012, the phone book function capacity has been increased to hold several thousand entries (who knows that many people?) up from 700. The new base stereo now includes a virtual CD changer, which allows the user to upload songs from up to 10 albums onto the internal hard drive. You can even play songs from your iPod, iPad, USB-connected device or connect via your Bluetooth and play music through the audio system.
The 2012 model year brings an updated navigation system with improved graphics. A new “Say What You See” voice activation helps the user learn applicable voice commands by displaying a step-by-step format on the touch-screen. The revised system supports speech control for the following devices: Phone, Navigation, USB/iPod®, CD/Virtual CD Changer, Radio, Satellite Radio, Rear Seat Entertainment and Notepad.
The Surround Camera System uses a five digital-camera system that relays to the touch-screen a near 360-degree view from the vehicle. The cameras, which support easier parking, towing and off-road maneuvering, function immediately as the vehicle is started, and have options for selecting and zooming in to assist with close quarter parking and towing. Specific characteristics such as type of trailer, number of axles, and width guides can be fed into the system to further fine-tune guidance.
The 2012 LR4 is powered by a 375-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 engine pushes the heavy LR4 with fervor, making it feel almost agile. Press the accelerator and you will hit 60 mph in less than 7.5 seconds, which is comparatively quick for a SUV. A six-speed automatic transmission teams with four-wheel drive to give the LR4 poise. Fuel economy remains poor at 12 mpg city and 17 highway.
The LR4 is equipped with the Land Rover Terrain Response® system that optimizes the vehicle set-up for virtually all on-road or off-road driving situations, with five driver-selectable settings to suit different conditions: General Driving; Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand; Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. The system added Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control as standard features in 2011.
Room for improvement:
- Fuel Mileage
Cool Features:
- Surround Camera System
- Built in refrigerator in the armrest
- Virtual CD Changer
The standard safety equipment for the 2012 Land Rover LR4 includes six airbags, Hill Start Assist, collision-activated inertia switch (unlocks doors, turns off fuel pump and activates hazard flashers), ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution, Dynamic Stability Control, and Emergency Brake Assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The optional 7-passenger package includes a curtain airbag protection for the third-row seats.
In Summary – The 2012 Land Rover LR4 is a beautifully crafted road warrior that blends the best of the best for the off-roader who wants a terrain worthy, luxury appointed and attractive Sports Utility Vehicle. It offers a high-tech V-8 engine with a wealth of power and torque. The overall weight of the vehicle and shape do not benefit the LR4 when it comes to miles per gallon. However, the LR4’s ride is exceptionally smooth, handles very well, and can go almost anywhere. The interior delivers materials of high-quality, high-tech features, and plenty of people and cargo space. If you are in the market for a fully-capable off-road and foul weather vehicle, then you can’t beat the 2012 Land Rover LR4.
Specifications
2012 Land Rover LR4
Base price: $48,900 as driven: $61,025 (including destination and optional packages)
Engine: 5.0-Liter 8 cylinder
Horsepower: 375 @ 6500
Torque: 375 foot pounds @ 3500
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Drive: Four-Wheel Drive
Seating: 7-passenger
Turning circle: 37.6 feet
Cargo space: 90.3 cubic feet
Curb weight: 5,833 pounds
Fuel capacity: 23.3 gallons
EPA mileage: City 12 / Highway 17
Wheel Base: 113.6 inches
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper
Also consider: Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X5, Lexus RX 350, and Mercedes-Benz GLK
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