2010 Range Rover

Short answer? Yes. Those who love what the Range Rover stands for -- being able to experience genuine off-roading surrounded by a luxurious cabin -- will be absolutely thrilled with the latest generation of Land Rover's flagship model. And the 2010 contains technology you can't find anywhere else.

As is the case with the rest of the 2010 class of new Land Rovers, the Range Rover receives as its base model the 5.0-liter V-8 designed by Jaguar Land Rover (the first engine designed with both brands in mind). This engine uses torque-actuated variable camshaft timing on all four cams, cam profile switching, and a variable-length inlet manifold. The supercharged version has 510 bhp, the standard 375, which is only 25 horses shy of the outgoing Supercharged Range Rover. Estimates put 0-to-60 times at 7.2 for the normally aspirated Rover and a speedy 5.9 for the Supercharged. Both use a revised ZF six-speed automatic, revised for improved response to driver input and reprogrammed for better fuel efficiency. The supercharger is a sixth-generation Eaton twin-vortex Roots-type unit, which uses twin intercoolers. This entire setup is packaged within the engine's vee.

The manufacturer also made revisions to the vehicle's suspension, integrating Adaptive Dynamics. This system, which also works off-road, optimizes shock settings based on current terrain. It uses DampTronic shock valves, which are continuously adjustable, and wheel monitors that take measurements 500 times per second to provide the ideal ride ranging from comfortable and soft to a firmer, sportier ride. The sport/utility also has new, larger brakes -- front 15-inchers for the Supercharged, 14.2 for the standard Rover -- plus improved stability control and DSC. It now also comes with Roll Stability Control.

While there have been numerous updates focused on highway and canyon drives, there also have been improvements in the off-road ability. Terrain Response upgrades include sand launch control, helping reduce wheelspin while providing the appropriate amount of power; and better traction control and braking response in Rock Crawl mode. Gradient Release Control, a new feature within Hill Descent Control, inhibits acceleration when going down extremely steep inclines. Other new features include Trailer Stability Assist, which monitors steering and vehicle swing, and can cause reduction in torque and more braking to bring the vehicle and trailer back under control; adaptive cruise control; blind-spot monitoring; surround camera system, with multiple cameras, making it easier to park, maneuver with a trailer, or drive off-road; and Towing Assist, which shows the trajectory of trailer and tow vehicle. You can input data about your trailer to make this system most accurate. Advanced Emergency Brake Assist, which works with the Range Rover's Forward Alert radar, steps in if a collision is imminent, prepping the vehicle and adding more braking.