Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 292 CV HSE, test drive (Engine, performance, handling and fuel consumption)

Today we bring to our test section a very special car, a vehicle that passed through our hands a few months ago and without a doubt I still have fond memories of this luxury SUV with enviable off-road abilities.

More than a year ago we had the chance to test the new Land Rover Range Rover, and now we have taken the wheel of its Sport variant. Our star in the test section these days will be the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, specifically the best-equipped version with the three-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine capable of delivering 292 CV of power.

Is it dynamic? Does it keep good off-road qualities? Right now, buyers of this type of vehicle -luxury SUVs- want a middle ground between off-roader and car; in other words, they demand dynamic qualities that not all SUVs manage, or if they do, the off-road qualities suffer. The Range Rover Sport is not the most dynamic of luxury SUVs, but in return it offers decent off-road performance that is in line with what we can demand (though, thanks to a series of optional extras).

Engine and performance

The 3.0 six-cylinder diesel engine is available in two power outputs: the entry version with 258 CV and then our 292 CV version. It is the intermediate diesel powertrain in the Range Rover Sport range (a powerful 4.4 V8 diesel of 340 CV is also available).

It is a smooth powertrain, with a generous 600 Nm of torque, which translates into more than enough force to get out of any situation; it also starts pushing from low revs, noticeably the kick at 3,000 rpm.

Paired with the engine is an eight-speed automatic gearbox (ZF, torque converter), which stands out for its smoothness. It does not have the typical rotary dial, but a joystick that is more comfortable and also allows gear changes from the gear lever itself or from the paddles (optional, 290 euros). When shifting, the gears are shown on the huge instrument screen, a nice touch.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 209 km/h, with the brake system standing out in particular, managing to stop the 2 tonnes of weight without problems.

Handling

Smoothness and a certain dynamism, even more so when compared with the previous generation. As soon as the car starts, at the press of a button, the V6 engine fires up, with a growl that is pleasant and never becomes annoying.

We touch the gear lever, small and very practical (personally I prefer it to the typical rotary dial of the brand), and we set off very smoothly, partly thanks to the smoothness of the powertrain, its suspension and the excellent interior soundproofing.

The most outstanding aspect of the Range Rover Sport’s handling is its on-board comfort, it is an ideal car for travelling and offers a great deal of comfort, whether through its seats, the sense of space or the soundproofing.

It has a ROAD/OFF-ROAD Pack, which includes: Terrain Response 2, 2-speed transfer case (low range), Dynamic Response (active anti-roll bars), torque distribution via braking and the Dynamic programme, priced at 4,730 euros.

Is it dynamic? Relatively so. It is not the best in this respect, since there are other SUVs with more dynamic handling, but if we select the “Dynamic” mode it works real miracles, especially in a car that is big, tall and heavy (2,100 kg).

In this mode, the suspension shortens its travel, the accelerator pedal responds more quickly, the steering firms up, and the active anti-roll bars are adjusted to minimise body roll as much as possible. In practice, in this mode the car behaves very nobly, and after putting it to the test on a mountain road we were surprised: it is not a sports car, but body roll is reduced and it responds well to steering inputs, with a fairly good and stable line through corners.

In the city, it improves on the previous generation’s behaviour and offers good visibility, but its dimensions still make it not especially comfortable in urban areas, and it does not stand out for its turning circle either.

Off-road behaviour

Off the tarmac it is a car with very good capabilities, as long as it has the off-road pack. Thanks to the Terrain Response 2 we only have to select the type of surface; we can also lock the low range or activate hill descent control, as well as change the suspension height (which also varies with the chosen driving mode or speed).

It has good approach and departure angles, and we can optionally fit a series of peripheral cameras that provide images of the front and side of the car, which can be useful off the tarmac. Between the ability to raise the suspension, the M+S tyres and the traction system, on our off-road test it came through a demanding course with flying colours.

You can also fit a range of information elements, such as the wading sensor at 380 euros.

Fuel consumption

On our usual road test we achieved a consumption of 9 litres per 100 km (according to the on-board computer), while on the motorway at the legal speed we can average around 8.5 litres per 100 km, as long as we are calm behind the wheel.

In the city the figure rises, in our test, to 12 litres per 100 km, though these are still good figures given its size and power. It has a 77-litre tank, which is normal in this segment, where most are around 80 litres. In other words, on the motorway or on country roads we have good range.

In the second part we will analyse the exterior design, the comfortable interior and the finish of this Land Rover Range Rover Sport. And in the third part we will compare it with other luxury SUV alternatives.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira, R. Rodriguez and the test team