The 2014 Range Rover Sport is all-new for this model year. It has a new chassis, exterior, interior, engine, and transmission. The test model you see here is equipped with the 3.0L supercharged V6 and the 8-speed automatic transmission. Can it really do it all?
Can it back up the “Sport” part of its name? The supercharged V6 is new to the Range Rover Sport for this year and it makes 340 horsepower @6,500 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque @3,500 rpm. The previous generation started out with a more powerful normally aspirated 5.0L V8. However, consider the fact that the 2014 model weighs 813 pounds less! That is a big weight loss and you can feel it. The smaller V6 revs quickly and the 8-speed automatic matches in refinement and quickness. This roomy SUV is capable of low 7 second 0-60 MPH runs at a mile above sea level. This is about as quick as a small performance luxury sedans, such as: 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0T or 2013 Volvo S60 2.5T.
The adjustable air suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and performance. The Sport feels very confident in corners. So, it can back up its name.
Is it luxurious? The interior of this $73,000 SUV feels special. The dash is wrapped is soft leather. The wood trim is superb and the seats are comfortable. Nothing to complain about there.
There is more. This vehicle can raise itself, select low-range gearing, lock the differential, and crawl over gnarly terrain with the best of them. It has good approach and departure angles to confidently go way off the beaten path. Many other performance luxury SUVs cannot do the same.
There is still more. The Range Rover Sport is rated to tow 7,716 pounds. Please come back in a couple of days for a full towing report, as we test with Range Rover with a 5,740 pound trailer.
Oh, almost forgot. The 2014 Sport is EPA rated at 17 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. I averaged 22.1 MPG after a mixed driving loop with about 75% on the highway. This is a significant improvement over last year.
