Autobytel 2014 Luxury SUV of the Year: Land Rover Range Rover

by Benjamin Hunting

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January 2, 2014

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3 min. Reading Time

The Autobytel 2014 Luxury SUV of the Year category has a big surprise for anyone expecting a list of the usual suspects. Although it would be far-fetched to assume that the luxury SUV world contains anyone who would consider themselves a 'purist,' there are certainly a few expectations that will be turned on their ear by the sport-utility vehicles that earned a spot as our finalists for 2014. We've got it all: traditional British posh digs, an upstart domestic bruiser, and a revitalized Japanese entry that each charmed their way into our hearts over the course of the past year.

Read on to learn more about the three finalists for Autobytel 2014 Luxury SUV of the Year.

The 2014 Land Rover Range Rover is still riding tall on last year's redesign, and for the current model year it brings with it a new supercharged V-6 engine that replaces its naturally-aspirated V-8. A supercharged 5.0-liter, eight-cylinder mill is of course still available with the Range Rover, as is the Terrain Response system designed to team up with the SUV's outstanding four-wheel drive setup to make short work of any off-road obstacles. The interior of the Land Rover Range Rover is as spacious and opulent as the Queen's drawing room, and it stands as a fine testament to the traditions that have guided the Land Rover brand on its mission to conquer the luxury landscape.

Autobytel 2014 Luxury SUV of the Year Finalist: Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee won our SUV of the Year award for 2014, and it came in second in our Luxury SUV category thanks to the efforts of Jeep designers and stylists in creating a truly upscale cabin for the Overland trim level. This is the Grand Cherokee that will soon swing the premium pendulum in Jeep's favor as more and more buyers acquaint themselves with what the SUV has to offer. Quiet, composed, and more capable than most premium sport-utility vehicles when the going gets rough, the Grand Cherokee also benefits from the high performance SRT model, which adds a substantial dose of horsepower (470 ponies, to be exact) to complement its luxurious environs. If you prefer to keep things more sedate, then be sure to sample the Jeep's 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, which is new for 2014 and which brings 420 lb-ft of torque and 30-mpg on the highway to the table.

Autobytel 2014 Luxury SUV of the Year Finalist: Acura MDX

The 2014 Acura MDX is more efficient, more comfortable, and a bit more handsome than it was the year before thanks to a redesign that aims to push the mid-size SUV back to the front of the Japanese premium pack. The MDX is notable for offering a direct-injection V-6 engine, the option of all-wheel drive, and three rows of seating that make it a desirable family steed. This Acura isn’t about driving excitement or clearing a trail through the underbrush - it's focused more on getting you and your loved ones safely from point A to point B with style, grace, and a heaping helping of high tech features.

Autobytel 2014 Awards

The editorial team of Autobytel has chosen the previous vehicles as the best of what we have seen in the category for 2014, and while there are many others in this class that probably deserve some kudos as well, we'd love to hear which you would choose for yourself. Let us know on the Autobytel Twitter or the Autobytel Facebook pages.

More of the Autobytel 2014 Car, Truck and category of the Year winners can be found by browsing the collection below.

Autobytel 2014 Car of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Truck of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Compact Car of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Convertible of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Sedan of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Luxury Car of the Year

Autobytel 2014 SUV of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Luxury SUV of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Crossover of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Sports Car of the Year

Autobytel 2014 Alternative Fuel Car of the Year