I also know that most members of its intended audience simply don't care, and I know that, from behind the wheel, the Range Rover Sport just feels right. Yes, I know it's heavier and less agile than most of its competitors. The Range Rover Sport, which itself has received larger and more powerful engines but retains its archaic full-frame construction and consequent huge curb weight, simply hits the sweet spot in terms of what a mid-size luxury SUV should look like, sound like, and feel like. We named the BMW, then completely new, as the winner, but I was quoted in the story as saying that the Range Rover was 'in many ways, the most satisfying vehicle here.' Five long years later, after the Cayenne, the Grand Cherokee, and the M-class all have undergone wholesale redesigns and the X5 has been heavily face-lifted and received new powertrains, I'd have to say that I stand by my statement. Best of all, the RR Sport comes with the prestige of the Range Rover name while still undercutting its V-8-powered competition from Porsche and BMW.Įxactly five years ago, we conducted a comparison test of five high-performance, premium SUVs, including the Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, BMW X5 4.8i, and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG. Better yet, the V-8 is matched perfectly with the six-speed automatic, which is silky smooth and nearly imperceptible in its shifting. The 5.0-liter V-8 has a sonorous burble and sounds wicked under heavy throttle. Also just right is the RR Sport's size - it's neither too large nor unwieldy, and it isn't too small as to not feel reasonably substantial on any road surface.

Yes, a faster processor for the infotainment system would be appreciated, but there were no 'play with me' dials or touch pads and zero 'look at me' trim bits. The car's design - both inside and out - is tastefully restrained, clearly showing its premium Range Rover roots without being overly flashy. The interior is sumptuously luxurious but not so plush as to throw any sporting intentions out the window.

I chauffeured two of my colleagues on a two-hour drive to West Branch, Michigan, piloting the Range Rover Sport and I could not have been happier.

2012 land rover range rover sport