Range Rover Sport TDV6

Expert Rating:

What is it?

It's the Range Rover Sport that everyone will actually buy, but that secretly none of its owners really want - the V6 diesel. The Range Rover Sport has been subject to a raft of changes for the 2010 model year, to the extent that calling it a 'facelift' is something of an understatement. Most of the interior is changed and there are two brand new Jaguar engines - the V6 diesel we've driven here, and a 5.0-litre supercharged V8. The latter is the daddy - and the one that Sport buyers will lust after - but price and running costs mean it'll be a step too far for most. So, here we have the 'real world' Range Rover Sport, if that's possible. There's a V8 diesel too, but to be honest this one is so good that it renders the bigger one slightly pointless.

Is it any good?

It most certainly is. The Range Rover Sport is a mainstay among celebrities and footballers' wives (not to perpetuate the stereotype or anything) because it's big, aggressive and prestigious, but not as bulky or expensive as the Range Rover proper. However, Land Rover now admits that the Sport is criticised by owners for its low-rent cabin ambience and cheap interior plastics, so this facelift aims to deal with that.

It has, and then some. The Sport now features one of the best cabins you'll find - it's amazing what a re-designed centre console and some new materials will do. The car now oozes quality, from the neat design of the dash to the soft 'squidginess' of the surfaces and the perfectly damped glove box. If you're into that sort of thing, it's a proper treat. The outside's had a makeover too, which is subtle by comparison but still highly effective in tidying up the car, giving it a lower, cleaner look. And it's got a new set of LED daytime running lights, of course, which have become to premium cars what the F word is to Gordon Ramsay.

The drivetrain has been given the once over too, with a new 'dynamic' setting on the Terrain Response system that firms up the suspension for more cornering feel - though that's only available on the Supercharged car - and a general suspension overhaul to improve both ride comfort and handling. That's proven effective too, with the Range Rover Sport living up to its name and providing a surprisingly sharp dynamic experience without sacrificing much by way of ride comfort. At town speeds it's quiet and calm, with a slightly firm feel but a generally unflustered, roll-free ride - and it remains so even when the pace picks up. It's no hot hatch, but it has an uncanny ability to feel smaller than it is on twisty roads.

Should I call the bank manager?

You should, and you won't have to suck up to him as much if you buy this one rather than the Supercharged model. Thankfully, taking the 'cheap' option isn't really much of a sacrifice in this case, because the Jaguar 3.0-litre V6 is a lovely engine, and perfectly suited to the Range Rover because it's got so much low-rev urge - only 19lb.ft less than the 461lb.ft of the V8 petrol, all available from 2,000rpm. It means that even though it suffers from some annoying throttle lag at low speeds, the engine is strong and responsive - enough to get you to 60mph from nothing in 8.8 seconds. Thankfully, diesel rattle is absolutely non-existent here too.

So what's it going to cost you? Well, the HSE spec TDV6 we drove will set you back just over £50k without options, but the chances are you won't need many because HSE comes with leather, satnav, parking sensors, big wheels and a glowing sense of superiority as standard. You can pay a few hundred quid for a set of cameras that will let you see around the car if you like, but unless you're deadly serious about your off-roading, they're a bit pointless. On the other hand, if you're deadly serious about the whole Range Rover Sport around town experience, buy the £5k cheaper SE version as a starting point then get yourself off to Kahn Design for a hooligan-spec makeover. But don't tell your bank manager about that.

Summary

The Range Rover Sport has gone from being an imperious urban SUV to having a justifiable claim as one of the best premium cars available. That's largely thanks to the new cabin, which is streets ahead of what went before, but the new diesel engine is a massive leap forward too. The Sport isn't as cosseting as the Range Rover, or even the new Discovery for that matter, but it's more involving to drive than both of them while still being a very comfortable, serene place to be most of the time. It looks better now too, and it's a mighty fine off-road machine should it ever be called to do that. More a brain transplant and extreme makeover than a facelift, and much better for it.

Mark Nichol