SUV of the Year Awards 2012 - Best New SUVs named

SUV of the Year is Range Rover Evoque by Land Rover.

The SUV of the Year Awards by Motor Trend magazine has named Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque as the best new SUV.

The magazine's annual SUV of the Year is given to the Sports/Utility Vehicle that "best represents exceptional value, superiority in its class, and most significant developments on the SUV scene."

According to Motor Trend, Range Rover Evoque "captures our calipers by soundly satisfying each and every one of our six criteria."

"It's irresistibly stylish and loaded with standard features including Land Rover's best infotainment system yet. It gets significantly better fuel economy than any other Land Rover product without sacrificing performance; retains an off-road prowess that would embarrass most crossovers; and offers it all in a compact, fun-to-drive, and easy-to-park package. For Land Rover to survive in a future punctuated by tighter CAFE standards, higher fuel prices, increased concern for the environment, and waning consumer interest in traditional SUVs, the Evoque is exactly the product it needs." Motor Trend added.

The other contenders for this year's awards were the following: BMW X3, Dodge Durango, Dodge Journey, Ford Explorer, Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Mini Cooper Countryman, Saab 9-4x, and Volkswagen Touareg.

Evoque, a compact SUV from Land Rover which went into production in July 2011, is available in three-door and five-door body styles, and with front-wheel only or four-wheel drive. A stylish, leather-upholstered interior is standard, as is a full-length panoramic sunroof.

Three engine options are available for the Evoque: a 2.2-litre turbodiesel producing either either 148 bhp (110 kW; 150 PS) or 187 bhp (139 kW; 190 PS) and a 2-litre 237 bhp (177 kW; 240 PS) turbocharged petrol engine. Its body, meanwhile, uses aluminium for the bonnet and the roof, and composite plastics for the one-piece tailgate has helped to produce a vehicle weighing 220 lb (100 kg) less than the Freelander. A full-length glass sunroof is available as an option.