2014 Range Rover Sport expert review
Completely new model built from the ground up.
2014 Range Rover Sport expert review
By Dan Tye
£71,995
Verdict 5 out of 5
“Range Rover Sport owners said they wanted more sport and Land Rover has certainly given them this. The 2014 model is a huge improvement over the predecessor. While the 5.0L V8 Supercharged drinks petrol and gives 15mpg, its performance and engine noise will blow you away. As will both 3.0L V6 models, which while not as raucous as the V8 Supercharged, is incredible to drive. Best of all, the Sport has lost none of its off-road ability. In fact, it’s even more capable.”
1. Exterior
The old Range Rover Sport was actually built using the same in the Discovery, so in essence it wasn’t really a sporty ‘Range Rover’ at all. This new version is different though. It’s been completely designed from the ground up and has its own chassis design. The bodywork has had enough of a restyle to make it look like a Range Rover, but you can also see elements of the Evoque’s design too.
Our rating: 5
2. Interior
It’s beautiful inside. You can change through the eight gears by either using the stick or the paddle shifts on the steering wheel. Selecting D on the stick gives a normal driving mode where the car automatically changes gear for you. Push the stick over to the left into S though and you can now change gear for yourself whenever you wish by pushing the stick back and forth (no clutch pedal to press) or by pulling the paddles. Moving the stick into S also sharpens up the throttle response and keeps you in each gear for slightly longer if you choose to let it change gear automaticlaly. It sounds complicated (it isn’t once you test drive one) and it gives the driver a huge choice of ways to drive the Sport and this adds to the enjoyment.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to colours and materials for the interior and Land Rover dealers can talk you through the customisation process to get your Sport built to exactly how you would like it. If you’re struggling to decide, there are some themes that Land Rover’s design team have put together in the brochure to give you some inspiration.
Our rating: 5
4. Ride and handling
On the launch I spoke at length with Land Rover’s Vehicle Engineering Manager, a chap called Chris Carter. He and his team have spent four years working on the suspension and handling of this new Range Rover Sport. Four years. I can barely do justice to their engineering efforts in a few sentences, but in short, the ride and the handling of this car is like nothing else I’ve experienced. While the bigger-brother Range Rover feels like you’re sailing in a superyacht, a magic carpet ride if you like, the Sport feels firmer and more athletic, kind of like a Range Rover that’s been running every day before breakfast. What’s more, you can buy the Sport with an extra driving mode called Dynamic to really alter the handling. You twist the centre rotary dial all the way to the left to an icon of a car with two curved lines underneath it. The next thing you see, the dials have turned red, a message appears in the dash saying you’re in Dynamic mode and the car’s suspension gives you even more sharpness. This is not just a gimmick, you really can feel the difference. The car is superb even without the Dynamic mode, but those who go for this extra will be pleased they did.
It’s not a light car but it’s nearly half a ton lighter than the old Range Rover Sport because the chassis is completely made out of aluminium. This has had lots of attention in the media, but for me, the real headline is the suspension system, which should and ought to win awards for its engineering brilliance.
Our rating: 5
5. Performance
There are four engines to choose from and four equipment levels. The 5.0L V8 supercharged petrol will get you to 62mph in just 5 seconds and has 510bhp. It shifts. And it makes a gorgeous, addictive noise every time you press your foot on the pedal. There are two diesel engines, one is turbocharged (TDV6, hence the letter T) and one is supercharged (SDV6, hence the letter S). Both are 3.0L. The TDV6 has slightly less power than the SDV6, other than that they’re very close in performance. Which one to go for? We’d say the SDV6 because you can buy it either as an HSE, an HSE Dynamic or an Autobiography Dynamic. The TDV6 only comes as an SE, but it’s £8,500 cheaper than the equivalent SDV6. All depends whether you want a turbo or a supercharger.
On all models, the front brake discs are ventilated and 380mm in diameter (an average family car has discs with a 220mm diameter) so there’s no concerns over the stopping power available either. We went from standstill to 100mph on the runway at Kemble Airfield and slammed on the anchors to a stop in just 25 seconds. Off-road – it’s extremely capable. More capable than any other off-road vehicle you’re get behind the wheel of.
In early 2014, another two engines will be on offer. We already have two diesel V6s but a diesel V8 will join the range. It’ll be a 4.4L 339PS SDV8 called the ‘super diesel’ and this bad boy will give 700Nm of torque between 1750 and 3000rpm, surging from 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds. The engine’s outstanding fuel efficiency is reflected in CO2 emissions of 229g/km.
They’ll also be an ultra-efficient diesel Hybrid model, which provides outstanding performance (0-60mph in sub 7-seconds) with exceptional CO2 emissions of 169g/km to offer customers the first high-performance diesel hybrid within the SUV segment.
Our rating: 5
6. Running costs
Both the TDV6 and SDV6 versions emit under 200g/km of CO2 which means you won’t have to pay road tax on it in 2013/2014 as a business vehicle – which is great news. The brochure says the TDV6 can achieve 38.7mpg (engine stop-start is standard) and on the press launch, we achieved an average of 25.8mpg with mixed driving. The fuel tank in the TDV6 and SDV6 is 85-litres so a full fill up will cost about £120 (the V8 Supercharged has a 105-litre fuel tank.)
If you buy the V8 Supercharged, then the petrol-guzzle rate can scare. Official figures put the combined cycle consumption at 22.1mpg, but go heavy on the acceleration and it’ll easily drop down to an instantaneous 12mpg. The mpg on the V8 Supercharged during the launch fluctuated between 17.2 (best) to 15.3 mpg. We’d say you get about 15.5mpg as an average so use that for your fuel estimates. As you'd expect, the 5.0L V8 Supercharged emits 298 g/km of CO2 so doesn’t qualify for free road tax in 2013/2014.
You don’t need the V8 Supercharged to be pushed back in your seat though, as the performance of both the TDV6 and SDV6 is staggering good so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t buy the biggest and baddest engine.
The TDV6 costs £51,550 and the SDV6 HSE costs £59,995. But what you really want to go for is the SDV6 HSE Dynamic which has the Dynamic mode. You’ll pay £64,995 for this. Sure it’s an extra five grand to get that Dynamic mode but it’s worth every penny. Meanwhile, the V8 Supercharged is £81,550, but that’s remarkably good value for the supercar-like performance you’ll experience.
Our rating: 4
7. Cargo area
Tradesmen, farmers and plant operators won’t be disappointed with the boot space. The rear has 9% more room than the outgoing model and that's even in the versions that have the third row seating. The boot is square, with straight edges, which makes it very easy to load up. There is no split tailgate like there is on the Range Rover though, so you won’t be able to sit on the back of the Sport. There are hooks and a net to secure your load plus you can add in loadspace liners, luggage guards and a rail system and a lockable security box.
Inside the passenger area there’s a larger glove box, more generous door bins, twin 44oz cup holders in the centre console, a very large central armrest with a huge stowage box underneath it, plus improved cup holders in rear armrests.
The Sport also becomes the best towing vehicle in the class – it has a staggering 3,500kg trailer towing capability. You can also add an electrically deployable towbar. Add the Surround Camera system with Tow Assist for easier hitching and reversing.
Chances are that if you buy one of these to use as your ‘van’ during the week then you’ll be an adventurous sort and want to do fun things in the outdoors at the weekend so there’s a full range of lifestyle accessories such as roof rails, cross bars, an extensive roof carrying range including options for skis and snowboards. Best of all is a new tow-mounted bike carrier for up to 4 bikes.
Our rating: 5
8. Safety
The Terrain Response2 and hill descent will keep you at safe speeds on every type of terrain you want to rover over. There’s also blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and if you’re towing, there’s trailer stability control to help prevent the trailer from fish tailing.
Our rating: 5
9. Equipment
Equipment levels start at SE, then there’s HSE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography Dynamic. The 5.0 V8 Supercharged is only available as an Autobiography Dynamic.
Another unique Land Rover innovation is Wade Sensing (introduced for the first time). There are sensors in bottom of the side mirrors that calculate the height from the water and then displays an image on the centre screen so you can see how deep the water you’re driving into is.
Our rating: 5
10. Why buy?
“Because you don’t want a van but you want a gutsy 4x4 that looks amazing for your business and can take you between jobs with enough room in the back for all your kit. Can’t fit it all in the boot? Simple, buy a trailer and tow it behind you – up to 3,500kg– that’s a towing ability that the pick-up driving brigade will be green with envy about. That and the gorgeous sound of either a V6 or V8 engine under the bonnet.”
Our rating: 5
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