2010 Land Rover LR4 @ 2009 New York Auto Show

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The revised 2010 Land Rover LR4 continues in the LR3's footsteps as the most versatile Land Rover. The functional and spacious interior gets a clean new design, and under the hood, the hefty LR4 gets a 25 percent horsepower boost thanks to a new V8. The extra grunt, combined with some new electronic tech, eases towing chores, and the LR4 should maintain the marque's lofty off-road reputation.

Fresh from its launch in the 2010 Jaguars, a direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 motivates the U.S.-bound LR4 with 375 hp and 375 pound-feet of torque). For all-terrain duty in the Land Rover, the Jag V8 has been modified with a deep oil sump, unique intake manifolds and waterproof drive accessories (starter, alternator, air-conditioner, etc.). The V8 will be paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Sadly, the new 3.0 TDI V6 introduced in the Euro-market LR4 will not be headed Stateside. This new diesel knocks out 443 lb-ft of torque while exceeding 30 mpg on the British test cycle thanks to a crafty dual-mode setup for the twin turbos, which can work either sequentially or in parallel. We'd probably hate having all that torque, combined with decent fuel mileage.

Compared to the LR3, the LR4 is meant to emphasize superior on-road dynamics, and a stiffer front antiroll bar is teamed with new suspension geometry to quicken steering response and reduce body roll. A new, variable-ratio power steering setup aims to increase stability at high speeds while increasing sensitivity and precision during low-speed maneuvers. New brakes pulled from the updated Range Rover Sport promise better feel and improved braking power. Off-roaders have not been neglected, though, as updates to the Terrain Response system include a new Sand Launch program and Gradient Release Control, which inhibits initial acceleration when the brakes are released on steep terrain.

Exterior styling changes are minimal and concentrated up front, with distinct LED lighting and a new face, which discards its blocklike vertical appearance for something more familiar and carlike. The all-new interior features a massive reduction in switchgear (button count has dropped from 50 to 29), and now sports the tasteful and truly upscale feel of its Range Rover cousins. A new hard-drive-based navigation system responds more quickly to your inputs, and it's coupled with HD radio and full iPod control.

The 2010 LR4's new Surround Camera System provides a near-360-degree view on the nav's 7-inch touchscreen display, providing a host of handy functions beyond mall parking adventures and off-road wheel placement. The Towing Assist mode can be a godsend while maneuvering a trailer, providing wide-angle sight lines on either side of the vehicle and slick on-screen overlays to aide tricky reversing maneuvers. Meanwhile, the stability control has an anti-sway feature for towing, quelling unintended oscillations from a trailer at speed.