2014 Range Rover Sport

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The new base engine is a supercharged V6 producing 340hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, while a supercharged 5.0L V8 makes out 510hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. 2. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic. 3. Pricing begins at $63,495, while the top of the line Autobiography trim is priced at $93,295 including delivery. 4. Fuel economy ranges from a best of 17 MPG city and 23 MPG highway to 14/19 MPG highway.

PREVIEW

If there was ever an automotive edition of ‘The Biggest Loser’ reality television show, Range Rover would be a shoe-in to win. Last year the full-size Range Rover went on a dramatic diet, shedding 700 lbs. thanks to a new aluminum unibody structure. This year the Range Rover Sport is put on the aluminum platform and shrinks down to a svelte 4,700 lbs., which is roughly 800 lbs. lighter than last year’s model.

But the downsizing doesn’t stop there. The base 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 is also dead this year, replaced by a smaller 3.0L supercharged V6. Producing 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, the new engine is significantly down on power compared to the old V8 but, thanks to the lighter weight and a new eight-speed automatic, Land Rover claims it’s three-tenths of a second faster to 60 mph, running the sprint in just 6.9 seconds.

EXTERIOR

The new Range Rover Sport’s look is a blend of Evoque and big daddy Range Rover, that can be easily identified as a Land Rover from a mile away. The side windows are now larger to allow better sightlines, and give the Sport the illusion of having a slightly lower stance. Although it is only two-inches longer than the old model, the new Sport seems much larger thanks to the previously-mentioned wheelbase extension. The usual Range Rover styling cues are present and accounted for on the new model like double straked fender vents, dual hood vents and LED lights all around.

Want to personalize a Range Rover Sport? No problem. There are 11 interior color themes with additional seat colors, four aluminum interior finishes, three real wood veneers, three headliner colors, 19 exterior paint finishes, three roof colors and nine wheel options available in four different sizes. 

 

INTERIOR

The interior of the Sport has been thoroughly modernized and is highlighted by a new center console mounted higher than in the old Range Rover allowing for the controls to be closer to the driver. A new 12.3-inch virtual gauge display is available in upper trims and the gauges turn red when dynamic mode is activated.

There is now nearly an inch more rear legroom behind the front seats, but the biggest change inside the Range Rover Sport has to do with the new optional third row passenger seats that Land Rover calls 5+2 seating. The jump seats in the hatch are only meant for kids 12 and under because, well, no one else would fit back there.

The 2014 Range Rover Sport will come in four trims, SE, HSE, Autobiography and the confusingly named ‘Supercharged’ trim which refers to the supercharged V8, even though every Sport is now supercharged. Pricing for the base SE will begin at $63,495, while the top of the line Range Rover Sport Autobiography starts at $93,295 including delivery.

UNDER THE HOOD

Those wanting more power can still opt for the supercharged 5.0L V8 thundering out 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. Also paired to the new eight-speed auto, not only can this monster rip to 60 mph in five seconds flat, but it sounds absolutely glorious while doing it. Land Rover has mastered the sound track of the 5.0L V8 and a ‘sound symposer’ feeds a hearty growl directly into the cabin. Want to quiet things down? Simply back off the throttle and this large SUV becomes a serene cruiser. 

Land Rover has spent a lot of time making the Sport quiet inside and it has paid off. Cruising down the interstate, or flowing through the corners of a country road really highlights just how muted the interior has become. This allowed our ears to focus on other things like the available Meridian audio system pumping out 1700 watts of awesomeness through 23 speakers.

More than just quiet, the 2014 Range Rover Sport is also far smoother on the road. The old Sport had a hint of choppiness that seems to be calibrated out of the new model, which most likely has something to do with the seven-inch longer wheelbase on the 2014 Sport. Still, this doesn’t mean it has gone soft; far from it.