Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Park

What we like:

Smooth delivery of power

Road presence

Signature Land Rover off-roading capability

Lovely interior.

What we dislike:

Hybrid assistance aside

it still drinks.

The brand which essentially created the SUV, Land Rover has often touted the “Best Four by Four by Far” line, and there is a good reason why. Their vehicles could take on tougher terrain than their counterparts, thanks to stiff platforms and some superb wheel articulation.

The Range Rover Sport was introduced about six years ago, and since then, with more manufacturers plying the market with replacements, or even new vehicles, like the Audi Q8, the Executive SUV segment is in-fact quite a crowded one, with varying entry points, catering to different buyer profiles.

It is no secret that the Range Rover Sport is priced above most of the competition. But there is seriously more car inside... well, the car.

A few visual tweaks have been made to keep the Range Rover Sport current. Reworked headlamps, a sleeker grille, and a redesigned tail light cluster, freshens the already familiar silhouette. Our HST test car also gets a fancy set of 21" 9 spoke gloss black rims.

Like the pre-facelift, the interior is bathed in leather. The suede-lined steering wheel, feels good in your hands, however, it can do without that fancy metal ring in the middle. Button assemblies on the left and right spoke of the wheel are within easy access of your thumbs, with an easy learning curve to getting to know which button does what.

The biggest change to the Range Rover Sport is its centre stack, which features their new dual screen Touch Duo Pro infotainment system, which offers a better navigating experience.

Sixteen-way adjustable front seats, stitched in Windsor leather and with their adjustable inner armrests are about as comfortable as a good armchair. You do get butt blowers too, which help to keep your fanny nice and cool throughout your journey.

Rear passengers have plenty of room to stretch in, thanks to its generous 2,923mm wheelbase. Rear left and right passenger seats are sculpted and easily accommodates up to three. An additional level of safety is also offered, through the Range Rover Sport’s Clear Exit Monitor, which warns of oncoming traffic if you pull on the door handle to exit the car.

As with its generous interior space, boot capacity is also equally good, boasting 780 litres, and with the rear seats folded flat, expands to 1,686 litres. Loading and unloading is also made easier with the help of its adjustable suspension, which you can adjust from the boot (in comparison, the 5+2-seater BMW X5 offers 247 litres, 645 litres and 1,860 litres, with all seats deployed, rear row flat, and middle row folded away respectively).

Under the hood, an all-new in-line 3.0 litre 6-cylinder turbocharged engine is supplemented with an electric supercharger, powered by its new 48V system (yes you are right, it is a mild hybrid) helping to provide boost during early stage acceleration. The new engine delivers 394bhp and 550Nm from between 2,000 to 5,000rpm. Delivery of its drive permanently to its four wheels is through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Acceleration is brisk, with the 2,210kg SUV majestically arriving at 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds. All this is done over some plush ride quality, thanks to the Range Rover’s adjustable air suspension, allowing the large SUV to smoothen out most of the bumps on the road.

While it may not feel as sharp around the bends as the BMW X5, it does have good road manners. Cornering ability, especially given the Range Rover Sport’s heft is quite impressive, especially with the suspension set in Dynamic drive mode. Body roll, given its height and heft is impressively kept well in-check.

Mild hybridisation aside, you are still lugging around plenty of weight. Even with the manufacturer-tested consumption at 10.9km/l in combined cycle being on the high side, under my heavier right foot, I did get something closer to 5km/l.

Heaps of padding within its interior and felting around the doors, ensures that the Range Rover Sport delivers its drive, with minimal audible intrusion, making the interior quite the sanctuary away from the urban jungle you can truly savour. The 6-cylinder spinning up-front seems slightly distant (when you’re not hooning it), and holding a conversation without raising your voice the slightest bit is possible. You would also rather not do ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ by Guns n’ Roses on the car’s premium Meridian audio system, but rather David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.

As with most other vehicles within the Land Rover stable, the Range Rover Sport is also built to (properly) perform off-roading duties. With more wheel articulation than the average SUV, an adjustable ride height, pared with Terrain Response, and Hill Descent Control (HDC); the Range Rover Sport is able to plug through mud, climb loose surfaces and scramble down slopes with unmatched confidence. You are also able to wade to depths of up to 850mm, while helped along by ultrasonic sensors, ensuring that you’re not driving yourself into trouble.

The Range Rover Sport caters to a special few, who prefer their ownership journey to be peppered with the occasional serious off-roading experience. Most days, however, you will appreciate what it can offer in terms of comfort and versatility.

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