MOTORING DECEMBER: Range Rover Sport Dynamic

George Loveridge Driving Around for Travel News Update

For years, the Chelsea Tractor has been the king of the SUVs. Having just undergone another major design change, is the Range Rover Sport as good as people make out? Let’s find out.

Where I live, in West Yorkshire, Range Rovers are not an uncommon sight. In fairness, it is a 50/50 split between upper-middle-class families and farmers, but they are still common as muck. Therefore, they must be pretty good then? Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has had a lot of trouble trying to shift vehicles, but these just keep on selling.

This Sport Dynamic SE model is relatively low down in the food web of Range Rovers. Powered by a notoriously unreliable Ingenium diesel engine, this 2.3-tonne waft machine has 295bhp and 550Nm of torque. Despite the weight, it moves alarmingly well for something of this size. Aided by a very capable air suspension, from the minute you step inside, you are in for a magic carpet ride. However, as is tradition with air suspension, the ride is a little crashy at slower speeds on uneven surfaces. Also known as, Britain’s roads.

But, place the car into ‘Comfort’ mode and you really feel a difference.

Although, in reality you hardly notice anything at all, especially on the motorway. It is as classy and as elegant as you would hope for. Moreover, when placed into ‘Sport’ mode, you really notice a huge chunk of torque that hardly stops when rowing through the 8-speed automatic gearbox. Combined with twin turbos and slick shifting, the vehicle provides a steady progression of speed and borders on exciting. It just does not make sense in something with these proportions. Even in the corners, it does fairly well to rotate as flat as it knows how. On the road at least, it is an above-average performer.

It is hardly a driver’s car, you get huge, comfortable and infinitely adjustable memory, and heated and ventilated seats front and rear. Your steering wheel is immaculately trimmed in the nicest leather that you could hope to find. Despite being six feet tall, it is hard to see the front of the bonnet from behind the wheel. Thank God for 360-degree cameras on narrow country lanes.

As is becoming the norm, there is very little in the way of buttons and switches. We are allowed to operate the indicators, lights and wipers via the traditional stalks, along with some LED buttons on the steering wheel. Otherwise, the 4x4 controls, climate control, navigation and who knows what else are all commanded via the central touchscreen.

This specific example had 21-inch alloy wheels, which in some bizarre world look small within the arches of the vehicle. As a result, however, road noise on the motorway is improved. The only real wind noise comes from the door mirrors, which is strange to me as behind the wheel I felt like they could do with being a little bit larger.

Regarding refinement, Range Rover has pumped fake engine sounds through the speakers of this car just so you can hear something. Otherwise, it is like driving an electric car when it comes to noise.

The George Loveridge Verdict

Realistically, these cars are way more capable than most owners could ever use. There are too many off-road modes to mention, whilst being more comfortable than most motorists have ever experienced. That is why JLR can charge a premium for them. Overall, it is a quality product that has beautifully weighted driving characteristics and aluminium paddle shifters. It hides its size, but at the same time drinks diesel in such a ghastly fashion. Around towns and cities, you will struggle to see more than 20mpg. On the highway is a different story in fairness.

The only real drawbacks are the JLR trials and tribulations. The aforementioned Ingenium engines are clever but do like to have their issues way earlier than most engines should. Plus, I found that the infotainment system was lacking in terms of user interface likability and overall speed. It did provide for a special driving experience, but when they are hardly exclusive in numbers. You can have exclusivity for far less.

Should you want to purchase this exact car, you can speak to the wonderful team at Synter Land Rover in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. I have no doubt that Sophie and Geoff will help you out.

Price as tested: £86,925
Lead in price: £75,255
Average fuel consumption: 30 mpg
Range (diesel): 600 miles  
Engine size: 2997cc
0-60: 5.4 seconds

Performance 8
Handling 7
Transmission 10
Noise 8
Economy 5
Ride and Comfort 8
Accommodation 8
Styling 8
Brakes 8
Finish 10
TOTAL= 80%

www.sytner.co.uk

www.jaguarlandrover.com

Index/Home page
 

READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

No one has commented yet, why don't you start the ball rolling?