2012 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover is available in two different trim levels. The base option is the HSE trim that features a V8 engine, while the higher-placed Supercharged trim uses a tweaked variant of the similar engine and upgraded brakes for better performance. Bearing an MSRP of $79,425, the SUV might feel a tad bit expensive than its competitors but has a large number of standard features to justify its price tag.

We Recommend

Amongst the two trims, the decision will solely depend on the buyer’s appetite for performance as luxury remains paramount on both trims. We recommend opting for the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover HSE, given its lower price tag and an available V8 engine. Its optional packages add to the existing feature load and make the SUV an alluring proposition.

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover comes equipped with a single 5.0L V8 engine that is tuned differently on each individual. With the base HSE variant, this engine outputs 375hp and 375lb.-ft of torque, while with the Supercharged it belts out 510hp and 461lb.-ft and delivers a thunderous performance. It comes equipped with a 6-speed Commandshift automatic transmission with an overdrive facility. This duo of the engine and transmission transfers the power to all four wheels of the vehicle.

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover can sprint from 0-60mph in 6 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 14.3 seconds. While it is not a performance car, the SUV’s acceleration capabilities are praiseworthy, and handles itself with great ease, both on and off the road. Dimensions do not cause a bearing on maneuverability and with precise steering response, the ride feels engaging.

Compared to its direct rivals, each SUV makes use of a V8 engine to power itself. However, drivetrain and transmission units are distinct and the Infiniti QX56’s RWD setup comes as a surprise in the segment. On the other hand, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade houses the most powerful engine option producing 403hp and 417lb.-ft of torque, slightly edging out the Infiniti. The Mercedes-BenzGL-Class justifies its price tag by delivering quick-firing performance sprinting to the 60 MPH and quarter-mile mark in 6.2 and 14.6 seconds and ranks second in the segment closely following the Land Rover.

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover ranks last in the segment when fuel efficiency is concerned. It is rated at 12 MPG in the city, 18 MPG on the highway, and manages the lowest combined mileage of 14MPG. Its fuel tank, however, is the most voluminous and has a total capacity of 27.6-gallons. Consequently, it manages 331 and 497 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively, allowing it to stay on top of most of its competitors.

When compared to the competitors, the 2012 Infiniti QX56 leads the segment with its combined efficiency of 16 MPG, while the 2012 Cadillac Escalade averages 15 MPG. Though the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class manages lower efficiency and despite housing a gigantic fuel tank, it averages the lowest range of 317 city miles and 449 highway miles.

In the way that the cabin has been curated, the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover fits perfectly into the luxury SUV segment. It features the best of materials, including leather upholstery, soft-touch plastics on the dashboard, and wooden accents on the central console. However, it’s a busy dash with a large number of buttons for multiple controls. The infotainment screen sits centrally and the knobs reek of robustness.

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover feels disadvantaged due to its lower seating capacity of five passengers only. While seats have adequate under-thigh, knee, and lumbar support to provide, the legroom on offer with both the rows is lesser than its competitors. Even in terms of interior space, the trunk volume of 35.1 cubic feet with all seats in an upright position feels underwhelming, and with the second row of seats folded it increases to 74.1 cubic feet.

When compared to the competitors, all three competitors of the 2012 Range Rover can seat seven passengers and have a usable third row of seats, except for the Infiniti QX56 that lacks legroom in its third row of seating. However, in terms of cargo capacity, it manages 95.1 cubic feet of space, which is considerably lesser than the 2012 Cadillac Escalade that has a maximum carrying capacity of 137.4 cubic feet.

Some of the salient interior features include:

• Three-zone climate control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Front and rear reading lights
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Cruise Control
• Front and Rear Cupholders

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover?

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover comes equipped with a sizable touchscreen unit that gets connected to a large number of features and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, as standard. Its basic specifications include Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and USB Connection. The display screen gets connected to the rearview camera and navigation system. Some other infotainment features include:

• Diversity Antenna
• Surround Audio System
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
• Radio Data System
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Stereo Output

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover looks ostentatious and palatial with unabashed muscularity in its design. Though not sleek in its design, the bulky and boxy nature of the SUV adds to its raw charm and visual appeal. It looks on par with its competitors, however, the rather subtle design with unchanged head and taillamps for more than a couple of years, cause the vehicle to look a bit old school. It looks off-road ready with a ground clearance of 9.1 inches and has a wheelbase of 113.4 inches. It is the widest vehicle measuring 80.1 inches, but with a total length of 195.7, it is the shortest SUV in the segment.

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover is the heaviest in the segment weighing 5,697 lbs, while the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL Class is the lightest with a curb weight of 5,545 lbs. It sports one of the longest wheelbases in the segment and ranks just behind the Infiniti QX56 that is 0.3 inches longer. The latter is also the longest and widest measuring 208.3 and 79.9 inches, respectively. It shares an almost similar height of under 76 inches with the 2012 Cadillac Escalade and also has a similar clearance from the ground.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover include:

• Polished Alloy wheels
• All-season/Performance tires
• LED Headlamps
• Fog Lights
• Sunroof
• Automatic High Beams

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover has not been tested by the federal agencies however, its standard features ensure safety and reliability do not go for a toss. It comes equipped with specifications 4-wheel ABS, ventilated disc brakes for both the front and rear and child seat anchors. Some other salient features include:

• Emergency Braking Preparation
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Engine Immobilizer
• Post-Collision Safety System
• High-Pressure Washers for headlamps
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover is penultimate luxury and reflects bespoke engineering. It features two potent engine options that deliver hammering performance but lacks the frugality its competitors possess. While the interior appointments are supremely plush and are furnished with hi-tech specifications, its exterior design does feel old-fangled. We definitely recommend the SUV for its extensive list of standard features, but with speculations of an impending revamp with 2013 MY, we’d wait for any further updates regarding the same.