Photo: Catalin Garmacea
The large SUV segment is filled to the brim with cool models right now, all of them claiming that they do every job possible, from blending music perfectly through their dozen speakers to outperforming sportscars in a straight line.
The Range Rover Sport only boasted about its performance one time, when it claimed that it has taken the title of world's fastest production car up Pikes Peak. The rest of the time, its British makers only compare this all-new model to the one that came before it.
And why wouldn't they? The old Sport was a bit of a lie because underneath the body every football player lusted after was the chassis of the Land Rover Discover. Because the body and the ultra-heavy frame were separate, it was an elephant on wheels. Despite this, it sold really well. This newer SUV is much better, being based on the platform of the real Range Rover and offering the same engines.
So now, comparing the RR to the Sport is like choosing between two Victoria's Secret models – one voluptuous and sexy, the other flexible and full of life – you really can't make a bad decision.
Practicality? Well, there's a huge boot that can carry every type of dog in the world and probably a couple of tigers as well. The back seat feels a little wider than most of the other SUVs out there.
Right, enough of this boring stuff. We've tested the new Range Rover Sport before, so why did we have to travel all the way to the sandy dunes of Dubai for another go? One word: Supercharged.
The 5-liter V8 is technically a carryover from the older model, but it's never been allowed to do such a good job before. There's less bodywork to carry around and a much better gearbox is offered, which means performance is in a different league.
When it wants to, the V8 can act all refined and quiet, perfect for listening to your favorite classical orchestra or holding a conversation. It feels as if the supercharger soundtrack resembles a Victorian-age piece of machinery, no one of those new twin-turbo mills that rely on hybrid tech or speakers to deliver excitement.
If you can afford the fuel and running costs, this really is the best Sport model to buy, an homage to Land Rover engineering. That much power in a lighter body can only be considered a good thing, but if you'd like to know what it feels like to go sideways in this Goliath, check out of full review.
And why wouldn't they? The old Sport was a bit of a lie because underneath the body every football player lusted after was the chassis of the Land Rover Discover. Because the body and the ultra-heavy frame were separate, it was an elephant on wheels. Despite this, it sold really well. This newer SUV is much better, being based on the platform of the real Range Rover and offering the same engines.
So now, comparing the RR to the Sport is like choosing between two Victoria's Secret models – one voluptuous and sexy, the other flexible and full of life – you really can't make a bad decision.
Practicality? Well, there's a huge boot that can carry every type of dog in the world and probably a couple of tigers as well. The back seat feels a little wider than most of the other SUVs out there.
Right, enough of this boring stuff. We've tested the new Range Rover Sport before, so why did we have to travel all the way to the sandy dunes of Dubai for another go? One word: Supercharged.
The 5-liter V8 is technically a carryover from the older model, but it's never been allowed to do such a good job before. There's less bodywork to carry around and a much better gearbox is offered, which means performance is in a different league.
When it wants to, the V8 can act all refined and quiet, perfect for listening to your favorite classical orchestra or holding a conversation. It feels as if the supercharger soundtrack resembles a Victorian-age piece of machinery, no one of those new twin-turbo mills that rely on hybrid tech or speakers to deliver excitement.
If you can afford the fuel and running costs, this really is the best Sport model to buy, an homage to Land Rover engineering. That much power in a lighter body can only be considered a good thing, but if you'd like to know what it feels like to go sideways in this Goliath, check out of full review.
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