For 2016, the premium Land Rover Range Rover SUV continues as the fourth generation of a long line of pedigree British Motoring. As a “sporty”, forgive the pun, Range Rover, the full-size sport utility has a front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout with terrain select. The HSE remains a breathtakingly impressive piece of automotive wizardry with its bank vault-like build and patrician, haughty looks. It is expensive and rightly so. The Sports interior is pretty much a work of art, and it is one place you feel the hefty price tag is justified. For 2016, the Range Rover receives minor improvements, such as automatic access height and a hands-free tailgate. More significant is the new Turbodiesel option called the Td6 which uses a 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine offering a 10.5 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway fuel efficiency number compared with 17.2/12.5 for the supercharged V-8. More important is the low–end torque available in this go ultimate move vehicle – a heady 440 lb-ft from 1,750 rpm–means it can tackle any condition and road or all-terrain surface. Transmission is via an 8-speed automatic.
There is also a naturally beautiful high-quality interior using typical British leather and metal in unique combinations that take your breath away. The designers have also done good work in tidying up the previous slightly idiosyncratic dashboard; keeping buttons and switches in more logical locations. A commanding driving position and good head room are also welcome. The seats are well-proportioned and comfortable. High-quality soft-touch plastics, flush-fitting switches, and rich leather dominate. The dash is also a smart affair with a padded feel and well-designed easy to read instruments and controls. Attractive features include a start button on the dash beside the twin-dial instrument layout. An easy to read the screen for navigation, phone and audio is also present.
The rear cabin offers good legroom and headroom department, while the rear seats can also be folded and raised via power buttons in the 909-litre cargo hold. Front seats automatically move forward when the back seats fold, making it easy to max out space at 2,030 liters for larger items. The middle seat position also drops forward as a pass-through for long objects. The cabin and cargo space for the Range Rover are quite impressive. On the road, the Range Rover has no trouble handling corners and off-roading if need be. The class-beating ground clearance also allows it to handle rough terrain with aplomb. The ride comfort is excellent with a smooth ride. The high seating position means drivers and passengers feel well protected. The Range Rover always feels confident and well cosseted by the tank-like protection. However, the light power assisted steering, and the available Park Assist and Vision Assist packages do help in negotiating parking and tight surroundings.
On the road, the Sport is a smooth, effortless cruiser, and for such a big SUV, the Sport holds when it comes to cornering. You can control road height for more planted stability and tighter handling via Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. The Sport handles sand, mud, snow and ice and can traverse streams and rivers water up to 850 mm deep.
Overall the Sport HSE delivers stunning levels of traction, impressive cornering and the ability to provide sports car-style handling in fast curves. The various traction and engineering aids kept the Sport well-planted and composed no matter what the road conditions are or what the driver imposes. Safety features in the Land Rover Range Rover include ABS brakes, electronic braking assistance, electronic brake-force distribution, dynamic stability and anti-roll stability control, trailer stability control, terrain response auto adjustment, electronic traction control, active speed limiter, dynamic route guidance and lateral and rear obstacle warnings. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE is an utterly fantastic vehicle to drive and own.