Autoblog tests the new 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport in Wales, U.K., and finds it to be one of the brand's best vehicles to date.
TranscriptSTEVEN EWING: I'm Steven Ewing, senior editor of autoblog.com.
We're here in the United Kingdom, in Wales, the birthplace of Land Rover. And this is the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Now I would argue that this has got to be one of the toughest vehicles for Land Rover to engineer. Because on one hand, if it carries the Range Rover name, it's got to be superb off-road. But because it's the Sport, it also has to be really, really good on-road.
So I've got the car in Dynamic mode right now, which means there's an improved throttle response, improved steering. And I have to say, the eight-speed automatic transmission is absolutely just smooth as butter in all applications.
One of the most noticeable changes about the 2014 Range Rover Sport is how much lighter it is. Land Rover's managed to cut out a full 800 pounds versus the last generation R, which is great. It gives you a much more nimble feeling on the road.
That said, Land Rover has managed to increase interior space as well. The wheelbase is actually a full seven inches longer. The problem of getting in and out of the back seat easily, totally gone with this vehicle.
This Range Rover Sport that we're testing today is a fully loaded Autobiography Edition. It has everything, 21-inch wheels, full leather interior, all sorts of Terrain Response modes. It's got a five-liter, 510 horsepower V8 under the hood. That means it's the quickest Land Rover ever produced. 0 to 60 happens in just five seconds. And top speed is limited to 155 miles per hour.
In addition to being very good on-road the 2014 Range Rover Sport also has to be excellent off-road. So we're here at the Land Rover Experience to take it out for some proper off-roading.
Lot of big rocks here. Very muddy. Still the thing is doing an excellent job of keeping itself stable, though the parking sensor still likes to go off.
One thing I do like is even though the Land Rovers are starting to feel a little more sleek and elegant looking, they still retain that flat hood with the very clear drop off. So you know where the front of the car is at all times, which is very important.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
So as we've seen during our time here in the United Kingdom, this thing is absolutely unstoppable off-road. And on-road, on pavement, it's actually a lot of fun to drive. To my mind, this is probably the best Range Rover, or Land Rover, ever built.
I'm Stephen Ewing from autoblog.com.
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander adds another three-row SUV to its line-up that fits between the smaller Highlander and the larger truck-based Sequoia. It features styling closely related to the RAV4, with a wide stance and crisp lines. Three powertrains are available including a non-hybrid turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid …
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a big, lovable luxury beast. Under the hood, it’s packing a biturbocharged 4.0-liter V8 making 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, propelling this three-row SUV from 0-60 miles per hour in a swift 4.1 seconds. But it’s not all about speed. With an …
The winner of Autoblog’s 2023 Technology of the Year competition is Mercedes-Benz’s Dolby Atmos audio system. It defeated a number of impressive other new technologies like BMW’s Theater Screen, Ford’s Remote Rev and more. Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio has been present in theaters and home theater setups for quite some …
The 2023 Lotus Emira is finally here! Arriving now in limited quantities after multiple supply-chain delays, this V6-powered First Edition gets 400 horsepower out of its supercharged Toyota engine, which is mated to an old-fashioned, six-speed manual transmission. The engine's mounted in the middle -- right where you want it …
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is getting the TrailSport treatment along with a number of key interior updates for the entire lineup. The big news is obviously the new Ridgeline Trailsport, which adapts many of the same elements of the all-new Pilot TrailSport and the recently revealed updated Passport TrailSport. That …
The Maserati MC20 represents a rebirth of the Maserati brand. It’s the Italian marque’s supercar and represents a true flagship product that will get folks excited about every other new Maserati on its way. Everything about the two-door coupe, from how it looks, to how it drives, passes the supercar …
For 2024, the Honda Passport picks up some improvements for the off-road focused TrailSport trim, as well as a style-focused Black Edition. The TrailSport's upgrades include all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels as well as retuned shocks, springs and anti-roll bars for better off-pavement performance. The Black Edition is the new …
The 2024 Honda Prologue will be Honda's first widely-available electric car available in the U.S. While it is based on the Chevy Blazer EV, it has a number of unique qualities, starting with its unique exterior and interior styling that are much cleaner and more reserved than the Chevy. Honda …
The 2024 Acura Integra Type S is the Acura branded variant of the Honda Civic Type R. It gets the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual transmission with 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It does have a number of differences, though. The design is different with a …
The F150 is a significant refresh for 2024 and features a new tailgate, bed dividers and an updated design. The tailgate can now swing out -- Ford joins the tailgate wars with Ram and GM -- and the headlights give the F150 a fresh look. The Tremor and Raptor are …
Ford brought three trims of its refreshed 2024 F-150 to the Detroit Auto Show, including the Tremor, Raptor R and Platinum. The Tremor shows off Ford’s fancy, new Pro Access Tailgate and a new modular bumper with a Ford Performance winch kit on it. Meanwhile, the Raptor R showcases Ford’s …
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is the most extreme Mustang and also one of the most extreme road cars ever made. Its body is largely made out of carbon fiber, and it's rocking a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 under its hood that is promised to make over 800 horsepower. Ford created …
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4Matic SUV is a very pleasant luxury EV to pop around in, and while it isn’t particularly sporty to drive, it sure is a relaxing space to spend time in. The EQE SUV is a similar size and class as the gas-powered GLE, though its …
