The improved second generation Range Rover Sport gets fresh petrol and diesel engine technology plus enhanced all-terrain capability. If you can afford one, there's now very little not to like, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Review

The Range Rover Sport came of age in second generation form, bigger, lighter and sharper in its reactions. Now, Land Rover has usefully improved it, adding in four cylinder diesel power for the first time in the shape of the company's latest SD4 Ingenium 240bhp unit, plus there's the potent 340bhp supercharged petrol V6 unit. As you'd expect, this dynamic luxury SUV also gets up-to-the-minute safety and connectivity technology in its latest form, plus there's a new 'Low Traction Launch' system for even better all-terrain capability.

Background

So to the Range Rover Sport. A car that in its original guise was neither a Range Rover or 'sporty'. In fact, it was based almost entirely on the brand's sensible Discovery model and, thanks to that car's practical ladder frame chassis, as about as dynamic to drive. Not so this second generation model, now usefully improved to create the version we're going to look at here. Appropriately, its very existence is properly inspired - and in many ways completely made possible - by the fully-fledged Range Rover. Back in 2012, that car was completely redeveloped in fourth generation form with aluminium underpinnings, sharper handling and hybrid power, engineering eagerly seized upon by the Range Rover Sport development team in their quest to at last be able to offer a credibly sporting SUV.

Driving Experience

Key changes beneath the bonnet have altered the engine line-up in recent times, which now starts with a 240bhp version of the brand's four cylinder Ingenium diesel engine, the first time that a four cylinder unit has been featured in a 'Sport'. Performance from this variant is reasonable - 62mph from rest takes 8.0s en route to 128mph - but if you need more pulling power, then you're going to want the 306bhp SDV6 diesel that most customers choose, also offered in 354bhp diesel hybrid form. Other alternatives include another engine freshly added to the line-up, a 340bhp supercharged petrol V6. Plus, as before, there's a 339bhp SDV8 diesel. At the top of the line-up, the 5.0-litre supercharged petrol unit lives on, offered with either 510 or 550bhp, the later output available in the flagship sporting SVR variant.

Design and Build

There are no significant exterior styling changes for the latest models - but none were really needed, thanks to the way that this second generation Range Rover Sport looks so much sleeker and more contemporary than its first generation predecessor. This is still recognisably a Range Rover Sport though: the clamshell bonnet, the 'floating' roof, the powerful wheelarches and the side fender vents that have always defined this model are all present and correct.

And inside? Well, you'd be disappointed if you didn't have to climb up into a Range Rover - that's part of its appeal - though older folk can ease the process by selecting the lower 'Access' mode on models fitted with air suspension. Once installed in the generously side bolstered seats though, there's no mistaking that you're at the wheel of this British institutional model's younger, slightly smaller and much sportier twin. For a start, you're sat a tad lower than you would be in a Range Rover, plus the more compact thicker-rimmed wheel's smaller, the upright gearstick more purposeful and the centre console higher.

Market and Model

Essentially, there are two kinds of Range Rover Sport you buy into: lets loosely call these levels 'volume' and 'nice to have'. Most buyers will choose the base volume four or six cylinder diesel models, either the 240bhp SD4 or the 306bhp SDV6. As an alternative to the SDV6, you might like to look at the supercharged V6 petrol model. At the other extreme in the line-up, there's the 'nice to have' variants - the SDV6 diesel/electric Hybrid, the SDV8 diesel and 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol variant, offered either in 510bhp 'Autobiography Dynamic' or 550bhp 'SVR' guises.

The key equipment change in this recent model is the introduction of Land Rover's latest 'InControl Touch Pro' centre dash infotainment monitor, a 10-inch touchscreen that can work with a TFT Virtual Instrument Panel that completely replaces the conventional instrument binnacle gauges.

Cost of Ownership

When the very first Range Rover Sport was launched, buyers were faced with a choice; reasonable performance or reasonable economy. You couldn't have both. How times have changed. Did you ever imagine that you could own a version of this car able to achieve 45.6mpg on the combined cycle and capable of putting out no more than 164g/km of CO2? Well, in the form of the four cylinder SD4 model, you can now. The SDV6 diesel hybrid manages exactly the same returns, though that, inevitably, costs a lot more to buy. Even the six cylinder SDV6 diesel shouldn't be too expensive to run, managing 40.4mpg and 185g/km. All these figures are helped by Land Rover's decision in developing this MK2 model 'Sport' to create an all-aluminium body structure thanks to which a huge 39% weight reduction has been possible.

Summary

With the fully fledged Range Rover now a plutocratic purchase, it's this Sport model that for us, now most faithfully continues a model line stretching all the way back to the 1970 original. That very first Range Rover was a car you didn't have to be afraid to use as intended, on or off road. And nor is this one.

True, it's a pity that pricing can't be more affordable - though the introduction of the SD4 four cylinder version does make the bottom of the range a little more accessible. Still, the right version of this car offers exactly the right kind of luxury SUV experience for those fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it. A Range Rover Sport that is in every way a proper Range Rover.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Range Rover Sport range

PRICES: £59,700 - £96,900 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUPS: 43-49 (est)

CO2 EMISSIONS: 164-298g/km (est)

PERFORMANCE: [SDV6] Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 6.8s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [SDV6] (combined) 40.4mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side, knee and curtain airbags, ABS, stability control, Terrain Response

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length 4850/2073/1780mm