Which one?
FOR real-world purchase and running costs, we’d choose the SDV6 thanks to its blend of performance and economy (although fuel bills will still be high), while seven-seat cars improve usability. All Mk2 Range Rover Sports have leather trim, DAB radio, automatic headlights and wipers, a powered tailgate, climate control, heated front seats, navigation and air suspension.
The HSE adds 20-inch wheels, 14-way electric front-seat adjustment with memory, heated rear seats, powered steering-column adjustment, paddle-shift controls, a heated windscreen and a rear-view camera. The HSE Dynamic has 21-inch alloys and a twinspeed transfer box, while the Autobiography Dynamic features High-Beam Assist, configurable interior mood lighting, a premium hi-fi, adaptive cruise control and extra driver-assistance systems.
Alternatives
THERE are some tempting rivals, not least the Sport’s bigger brother, the Range Rover, along with the Range Rover Velar, which come only in five-seat form. If seven seats are key, the Land Rover Discovery might
TECH Twin-screen system looks good, but is trickier to use than Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment set-up
suit, while the Volvo XC90 is stylish and comfortable, but the Swedish model only comes with four-cylinder engines.
Three German alternatives that give the Land Rover a hard time are the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE; all are costly to buy and run, but feature luxurious cabins packed with technology. That’s also true of the Porsche Cayenne, which comes with five seats only, just like the BMW X6, and Mercedes GLE Coupé and Porsche Cayenne Coupé. Two less obvious choices are the Maserati Levante and Volkswagen Touareg.
Verdict
LAND Rover’s reputation for dependability has taken a bashing, thanks to the complexity of models such as the Range Rover Sport.
Based on the same platform as the contemporary Range Rover, the Sport is a bit smaller and more agile, but it’s still a big car with the associated high running costs. You’ll pay plenty for fuel, road tax and maintenance, while insurance is also costly,