Bloglogo
Road Test Review: 2014 Range Rover Sport Supercharged
Car Reviews

Road Test Review: 2014 Range Rover Sport Supercharged

·
August 6,2014
·
10 min read

Tags:

This weekend, I was in for a treat, courtesy Jaguar Land Rover Middle East, as they handed me the keys to review the new and most popular Range Rover ever – the Range Rover Sport Supercharged. From the moment it was launched last year, this vehicle has become what Corolla is to buyers, a unanimous choice – for luxury SUVs. I drove it briefly during the first drive event held for Range Rover Sport and I was left asking for more. This is further proved on UAE roads from the abundance of new Range Rover Sport models. Customers really flocked in to buy the new breed. Moreover, from its launch till date, all automotive reviews I have come across have told the same story; it is the best luxury SUV ever made by JLR. So, my excitement was obvious as I wanted to experience what the best ever SUV felt like.

The new RR Sport is based on its elder sibling – the RR Vogue and not on the LR Discovery like the previous model. Also, the new RR chassis is all aluminum which results in almost half a ton in weight reduction. Add to that all the new gizmos and intelligent features and you have one luxury cruiseliner on your disposal. But, is it really worth all this hype? Let’s find out:

Style

From the first glance, the Range Rover Sport fits perfectly in between the RR Vogue and the RR Evoque as the front is taken from the Vogue while the rear is taken from the Evoque. To me, it looks like an elongated Evoque. This means sleek looks and aerodynamic styling. It is no longer a box-on-wheels like the previous generation. Honestly, I believe this is the most handsome looking Range Rover ever. Land Rover has kept the Range Rover design in mind and just tweaked it to make it even better. This vehicle is lower than the Vogue and much more streamlined. Add to that, the wide / low profile tires and you have a sports car on stilts. The other exterior features include LED head / tail lights, fogs and black front grille with a red SPORT badge on the rear (an indication that this is a V8). Yes, we were handed the V8 Sport Supercharged – one trim level below the top-of-the-range Autobiography. Overall, no complaints in this department, however, the Porsche Cayenne does have the edge in sporty looks!

Interior Materials and Finishing

It is a Range Rover so you wouldn’t expect anything less than the best soft touch materials cocooning you in the cozy shell and this car very well lives up to that expectation. From the time I sat in the car, I did not want to get out as the whole environment was so comfortable. The other luxury SUV I have driven recently is the Mercedes-Benz GL500, so, that will be my object of comparison (Note: its direct competitor is the M Class!).  And, I must say, even though the soft touch materials are at par with the GL500, the whole seating environment feels a bit better – probably it’s the badge but I don’t care! It’s clean and has that symmetry which I did not find in the GL. Overall, I loved the interior but the only drawback is the noticeable amount of road / wind noise on highways.

Interior Space and Visibility

It is a full-size SUV so you would expect space. Granted, it doesn’t come with 7 seats as standard but by looking at the space given, I am glad it doesn’t have an extra row of seating. It is because the rear leg room is not what you would say “spacious”. It is adequate but I felt they could have given more rear leg room since it is an executive SUV. I was able to fit in comfortably but not stretch my legs as I would have liked to, without pushing my knees against the front seat. Although, it is wider than the previous gen so it does allow 3 people to sit in comfortably but I would have liked it to be bit longer as well. I believe the idea was to have more boot space which they did achieve as the trunk makes up for the lack in legroom. But not all customers want boot space as a priority in an approx AED 500K car.

Coming to the visibility, it has the seating position of a crossover – just high enough to have a wider view with the judgments of a sedan. Also, since it’s a RR Sport, the seating position is lower and feels more like a sports car.

Interior Technology and Options

The test car given to me was loaded with all the comfort features one would expect from the British Manufacturer. I will just list the features which I liked:

- Adaptive Headlights

- 360 degree Camera

- Dual-screen

- Self-parking

- Cross traffic alert

- Panoramic sunroof

- Electronic Information Cluster

Issues? Yes, the infotainment system felt slow and unresponsive most of the time. Also, it is so confusing to use for a newbie. I literally had to stop the car on the side of the road to figure out how to change the source from radio to iPod. Also, the car is better off without the ambient LEDs as they don’t make much of a difference. I had to look everywhere to see where the light color is being changed. Moreover, where are the seat cooling / heating / massage options? If I am paying close to AED 500k, I need those options as standard. Overall, the GL500 clearly wins this round as Mercedes sells a fully-loaded car for a cheaper price (AED 370K) – though it doesn’t have dual screen which is just cool.

Power and Transmission

Well, after stepping on the gas pedal, I realized they are definitely not charging the staggering amount for the interior toys. Instead, it is for this mighty engine! Just some facts: the test car was powered by a supercharged 5.0 V8 producing 510 BHP and 625 Nm of torque – the engine fitted into a Jaguar XKR-S – mated to an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Translation: 0-100 km/h in 5.0s flat in this UAE heat – with sports mode engaged.

If I had thoughts about getting out from the car after a long drive to stretch my legs, I would just keep the gear in neutral and press the accelerator to listen to that exhaust note and all those evil thoughts would go away and I will go back to driving. This car wants to be driven – on twisty roads and not on Jumeirah at 60 km/h while having tea in one hand like so many drivers do.

With an array of driving modes, Land Rover has made sure that the Sport is no more a crossover. It has sports, sand, gravel, snow, rock and auto mode to satisfy all types of terrains. I had only tried the ‘sports’ and ‘auto’ and I was pleasantly surprised to feel the difference. There is a noticeable difference in the throttle response and steering when changing modes. While in ‘auto’, the car takes its time to accelerate; that completely changes in ‘sports’ as you are instantly pushed back into the seat the time you step on the gas. Add to that the roaring exhausts and the end result: I can never get tired of that feeling as it is the closest I have been to driving a proper sports car!

On a side note: all this hooliganism resulted in not-so-generous 19.7 l/km consumption. Although, if you’re planning to just cruise then it can give about 15.5 l/km – equal to a Mazda CX-9 – which is good considering it’s a V8.

Handling, Suspension and Braking

Remember in the beginning where I mentioned about weight reduction? Well, that is definitely felt while driving. The car is so nimble and agile – like a true sports car. No wonder, this car was tested on the infamous Nurburgring – to become the fastest SUV ever. Not for a single moment I felt like driving a 3-ton behemoth. I had previously been part of the media drive where I got a chance to drive it off-road and on the track and I must say; I was thoroughly impressed. The people from JLR were not kidding when they were boasting about its cornering abilities. Sadly though, I did not get a chance to test it again but for those of you who have tried, you know what I am talking about. Kudos to Jaguar Land Rover!

Any issues? Well, since this is the Sports Version of Range Rover, expect the ride to be on the firmer side. Going over speed bumps and potholes wasn't agonizing but the feeling was noticeable. Given the adaptive suspension, I was expecting better ride quality but again, it's just me nit-picking. 

Coming to the brakes, they do feel squishy but not what you would expect from a typical heavy SUV – and that’s a compliment. They are soft but not-so-instant as I would have expected in ‘auto’ mode. If you want instant braking then switch to ‘sports’ but bear in mind, this will lead to heavy fuel consumption. In the test, the vehicle was able to come to a stand still from 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds.

Verdict

Well, what can I say about this car that has not been said before! It is blazingly fast for an SUV – though still not as fast as a Cayenne but fast enough, highly luxurious – though optional features can be made standard considering the asking price, pretty to look at – though I believe Cayenne looks better – and last but not least, it is a proper off-roader that works – something which the Cayenne is not. So, what do you get for the asking price? A complete all-rounder which will turn heads and make you go on any terrain Mother Nature throws at you, while you sit in a cabin which feels like travelling first-class in a Boeing 747. In short, this car (particularly the V8 version) is highly practical for 5 adults on long trips but the luckiest person in the journey is the driver as he/she has just to step on the gas to bring a smile – all the while obeying the speed limits ofcourse!

Prices, Specs, Features and Pictures: 2014 Range Rover Sport

Compare Specs: Range Rover Sport vs Porsche Cayenne 

Images:

Got a comment? Post it below:


Do you want to sell your car for FREE?
We have everything that makes it easier for you to sell your car on our platform quickly
Sell your car 100% absolutely free on YallaMotor.
200+ Cars Sold Everyday.
115,000+ Satisfied Sellers.
500,000+ Monthly Buyers.
POPULAR TAGS

FROM THIS WEEK
Comprehensive Guide to Renew Your Driving License in Dubai
28 March 2024
|
Road Regulations
Infiniti QX80 2025: A Peek into the Future of Luxury SUVs
25 March 2024
|
New Launches
How to Sell Your Old Car Online in Dubai?
23 March 2024
|
Yallamotor Tips

Search more than 32,316 used cars in the UAE
Select Make
Select Model
Select Year

LOOKING FOR USED CARS INSTEAD?

OTHER USED CARS IN UAE