As you may have guessed from its name, the 2014 Range Rover Sport is designed to offer a smooth yet exhilarating ride – along with the type of handling capability you would expect from a luxury SUV: especially one that comes from the Land Rover stable.
If you’ve done your research on car lease deals on vehicles in this class, you’ll have noticed that there’s no shortage of competition out there: most notably from the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X6.
So what sets this particular car apart from the rest? There are three very good reasons why this particular Range Rover model warrants close attention: a smooth yet extremely capable drive; the ideal blend of comfort and practicality and last but not least – the fact that this car lets you get hold of a model from this extremely desirable manufacturer at a considerably lower price than the ‘standard’ Range Rover model.
Smooth yet capable drive
If you’d looked at the previous version of the 2014 Range Rover Sport – only to reject the idea of getting hold of one after a spell behind the wheel, the new version most definitely calls for a re-visit. Much of this is due to the fact that the new version is much lighter. A full-scale revision of the bodywork – including the addition of a new aluminium chassis, means a full 420 kgs has been shaved off the weight. This, combined with a revised driving position (referred to by Land Rover as the ‘Sports Command’ position) means that the new Range Rover Sport is a different animal so far as the drive is concerned. It’s quicker and more responsive – and you can really feel the difference.
At entry level, there’s a 258PS TDV6 diesel model. To get the most of what Land Rover has on offer with the 2014 Range Rover Sport however, it’s worth taking a step up to the 292PS SDV6 diesel powerhouse. Once you’re in this territory, you get to take advantage of Range Rover’s Adaptive Dynamics continuously variable dampers for the best possible ride on open roads. With this 292PS variant, you also get Land Rover’s AWD technology that transfers extra torque to either axle to get you out of difficult situations when you’re off road.
Be warned though: if fuel efficiency is at the top of your list of priorities when looking at car leasing deals, you’re looking in the wrong class. Nevertheless, things have improved massively with the new model compared to the old. With the 292PS SDV6 for instance, you can now expect to achieve 37.7 mpg compared to just over 32 mpg on the previous version. The Range Rover Sport definitely holds its own on efficiency within this category.
Comfort and practicality
Even when looking at the 2014 Range Rover Sport from the outside, it certainly cuts a pretty ‘future-proof’ figure. The exterior has all the important design elements you’d expect from Range Rover – including that distinctive bonnet and dominant wheel arches. The ‘sportier’ features include a more streamlined profile and lots of sloping lines; especially along the roofline and the windscreen.
For the interior, think luxury – as well as plenty of space. Five can fit in the 2014 Range Rover Sport with no problem whatsoever – thanks in no small part to a bigger wheelbase than on the previous incarnation. What’s more, if you’re looking for a vehicle to accommodate larger groups, you can also opt for a seven-seater variant. The boot has a capacity of 784 litres with the ability to extend storage space by an extra 1000 litres if you fold down the rear bench. There are some useful little tweaks as well, For instance, if you opt for a model fitted with air suspension, you get an ‘Access’ mode – making it easier for those who need a little bit of extra help to get in and out.
Range Rover… for less
What’s the most cost-effective way of getting the most of what Range Rover has to offer? One way is to look closely at car lease deals (especially as there are few manufacturers that can boast such low diminution rates). The other way is to give careful consideration to the Range Rover Sport. Take the TDV6 2014 Range Rover Sport and compare the price tag to the same spec ‘standard Range Rover and you’ll notice there’s a difference of around £20,000 in the Sport’s favour. It’s a similar story across the board.
The final word
Offering genuine off-road capability and superb handling, would you be interested in getting your hands on the 2014 Range Rover Sport?
