2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: The New Face Of Genteel Hot-Rodding

If you want to stay afloat in the modern luxury business, you have to cover more than just the ultra-high end of the market.  The 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport fills the gap between the family-first LR4 and the big-daddy full-size Range Rover, but it would be a mistake to think that this mid-size SUV is somehow a compromise.  In fact, Land Rover went all out in redesigning the new-for-2014 Range Rover Sport, giving it a fresh platform, sleek new styling, and a significant upgrade under the hood at the entry level.

Coincidentally, it was this more affordable version of the vehicle - the HSE trim, a step above base - that I had the chance to sample for a week's time.  This gave me ample opportunity to discover how the brand has been able to hone what was once a blunt, overpowered instrument into a finely-tuned, high performance daily driver that fits perfectly into almost anyone's driveway.

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The Devil Is In The Details

Whereas the previous version of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport was essentially a hot-rodded LR4, wielding a body-on-frame chassis married to a pair of hotter engines and a more robust suspension, the 2014 model is a complete package.  Sweeping away close to 350 kilograms of dead weight is a new unibody design for the SUV that dramatically improves handling, ride quality, and fuel efficiency.  Make no mistake: this is a still a large vehicle, but it's one that rides and steers so much like a sedan that it presents a sharp contrast to the majority of its luxury competitors.

Quick And Nimble

In fact, it's no stretch to say that the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport lives up to the last word in its name when pushed harder than one might normally be comfortable with in a mid-size SUV.  This is true even when outfitted with the people mover's 340 horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which replaces last year's 375 horsepower eight-cylinder mill.  Also capable of generating 332 lb-ft of torque, this motor makes the most of the Range Rover Sport's astonishing weight loss by feeding smooth, constant acceleration through the driver's right foot at all speeds.

An eight-speed automatic contributes seamless shifts that keep the Land Rover surging forward at an appreciable rate of speed with nary a disturbance making its way into the passenger compartment.  It's rare in the world of premium SUVs that the entry-level mill feels anything other than a consolation prize, but having previously sampled the Range Rover Sport's optional 510 horsepower supercharged V8 I can safely say that the six-cylinder is the one I would choose were I the one making the monthly payments on this beast.  Not only does the supercharged V6 save you nearly $20,000 off the purchase price while asking you to make very little sacrifice in terms of driving enjoyment, but it also adds roughly 25 percent better fuel efficiency into the mix, as well (both engines come with an unobtrusive automatic engine start/stop feature that Land Rover's German competitors would do well to copy).

Off-Road Shenanigans

Although the Range Rover Sport is aimed primarily at those seeking on-pavement performance and comfort, the vehicle's compliant chassis is equally well-mannered when the going gets hairy.  I've forded door-deep water in the Range Rover Sport, climbed rock faces, and blasted across a frozen lake with the full fury of its supercharged V6 howling out of its twin tailpipes, and I did it all with extreme confidence thanks to the SUV's permanent four-wheel drive and Terrain Response system.  The latter allows for the driver to dial in individual settings to match current conditions, including grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, and sand.  Most of the time, the Land Rover's automatic mode was sufficient to dispatch any obstacle, although ice racing required notching the rotary dial over to the grass/gravel/snow setting to maximize grip.

Fit For Junior Royalty

Lest you think that the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport skimps on luxury in favour of a thrilling drive, it's safe to say that the SUV has been stuffed with every modern convenience one could possible desire.  Heated leather seats are matched by stitched cowhide trim throughout the interior, which boasts two very accommodating passenger rows (with the option of a tiny third set aimed exclusively at children).  An easy-to-use touchscreen serves as an interface to the Land Rover's navigation, entertainment, and communications systems, and climate controls and audio controls are doubled by hard buttons underneath.  In fact, the only thing out of place inside the Sport are the gauges, which look far less upscale than the rest of the vehicle's gear.

All-Around Fun And Style

Not as imposing as the full-size Range Rover, yet much more lithe than the LR4, the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport fills its niche with gusto.  Rare is the multi-tasker whose split concentration doesn't reveal a regrettable lack of focus, but it would appear the Brits have nailed it here.  This is the Land Rover for those who crave adrenaline mixed with practicality, a vehicle whose size and girth demand few concessions either at the fuel pump, in traffic, or in terms of comfort.  There's more than enough room inside the Range Rover Sport to accommodate anyone's lifestyle, and cracking open the throttle and pointing the SUV at an open road - or iced-over lake - reveals the playful, throbbing heart that defines this excellent automobile's personality.