2011 Land Rover Range Rover - Motor Authority

The 2011 Land Rover Range Rover may not be as roomy or powerful as some of its rivals, but the big Brit remains the progenitor of the luxury SUV and the model every other automaker in this segment tries to emulate.

The Land Rover brand has had a turbulent recent past, switching ownership from BMW to Ford and now Tata, but the influences of its previous parents have had positive benefits for it.

The Range Rover model was just given a major overhaul last year, which saw the addition of a range of new engines and standard features, but for the 2011 model year the luxury SUV has been updated yet again to keep it fresh against the competition.

The 2011 Land Rover Range Rover has received improvements to its Terrain Response system in the form of Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control. The Terrain Response feature is a set of computerized instructions that help the SUV during off-road situations.

Also aiding the Range Rover is a new Adaptive Dynamics system, offering firm control of body motions through turns while providing the calm, composed ride.

Active safety features include available Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Brake Assist, available Blind Spot Monitoring, available Automatic High Beam Assist and an available Surround Camera System.

There are three different trim levels available and two different engines. The base model, the HSE, starts at $78,835 and comes with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 that's found in many Jaguar models. The engine delivers a peak output of 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque.

This same engine also powers the next model up the line, the HSE LUX, a model the basically comes with a few more standard features.

Rounding out the range is the SC model, or Supercharged. As you may have already guessed, it comes with a supercharged version of the other models' 5.0-liter V-8 and is rated at a peak output of 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque.

As would be expected in a luxury SUV priced this high, there are a boatload of features and technology. This is one high-tech ride, a virtual supercomputer on wheels. Found in the interior are optional illuminated door sills for the front doors, as well as an available Harman/Kardon premium sound system complete with 19 speakers.

Key rivals include the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz ML- and GL-Class duo.

For an in-depth look at the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover, including its styling, performance, quality and safety, head over to TheCarConnection for the full review.