The faces of the luxury SUV category have changed quite a bit in the last few years and the Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year and the two finalists are examples of how the classic mold can take a new twist.
From the fresh face of a new design for a classic company, the classic brawn of a luxury automaker or the refined luxury of a more recent luxury automaker: the three who made the top of the list for the Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year are the upscale rides for both on and off road.
Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year Winner: 2012 Land Rover Range Rover EvoqueFor the Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year, we have chosen the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The Range Rover Evoque is the first big change to the Land Rover line-up since the Range Rover Sport in 2005 and if this is a sign of what is to come from Land Rover's promised 40 new "product actions" (which includes everything from new powertrains to new models) over the next five years, then we have a lot to look forward to. With tougher fuel economy standards on the way and the need to grow sales as the automotive industry continues its upward momentum, Land Rover engineers were given a difficult task of building a smaller model with the same level of luxury and off-road prowess expected from this brand. Meeting this seemingly daunting challenge, Land Rover recently started production of its all-new 2012 Range Rover Evoque and we think it is a winner.
Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year Finalist: 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-ClassThe 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is just one of the the 4-door Sport Utility options fromm the luxury automaker and this one is a finalist for the Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year. The M-Class is available in two trim levels starting with the $48,990 ML350, equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway and the $50,490 ML350 BlueTEC, equipped with a standard 3.0L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway.
Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year Finalist: 2012 Infiniti QXOn the larger end of the finalists for Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year is the 2012 Infiniti QX56, a 7-seat Sport Utility Starting at $58,700. the 4x2 is equipped with a standard 5.6L, 8-cylinder, engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. The $61,800 4x4 version also achieves 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway.
Autobytel Wants to Hear from YouThe editorial staff of Autobytel has chosen the previous three luxury SUVs as the best of what we have seen for 2012, and while there are many others in this class that probably deserve some kudos as well, we'd love to hear which one of the previous three you would choose for yourself.
See the Autobytel 2012 Car of the Year and the Autobytel 2012 Truck of the Year.
See More of Autobytel's Picks for the Year:
