2014 Range Rover Sport Review: Luxurious Design and Performance

Introduction

In collaboration with Al-Tayer Motors, Land Rover organized a full-day event for journalists to experience the 2014 Range Rover Sport. Our plan was to take it for a drive in the desert near Bab Al Shams, followed by lunch, and then test it on the track at Dubai Autodrome.

Exterior Design

From the Outside

The Range Rover Sport showcases a blend of the Range Rover Vogue and the Evoque, also reflected in its pricing. However, all models bear resemblance to Ford's SUV designs, particularly in the headlights and taillights. Overall, its appearance is significantly more attractive than the previous model, though slightly smaller, raising questions about rear legroom. Nonetheless, its luxurious color and exquisite finishing touches make it stand out on the road. Truly beautiful!

Interior

Cabin Experience

Like any luxury SUV, Land Rover has not skimped on interior features. Although we didn't have enough time to test all the features, we all agreed that it includes all the essentials.

It's good to see they replaced the old gear lever with one similar to that found in BMW models. Initially, we found the gear difficult to use, but we quickly adjusted. The seats are comfortable (the V8 model comes with seat cooling, which is essential for the Gulf climate), but unfortunately, the rear legroom is a bit cramped. While it is a luxury SUV, it might feel tight for those who prefer to recline while driving.

Three people can fit in the back, but they may feel a bit cramped. The screens appear large, but you have to lean a bit to use them, which is common in most cars. We turned on the air conditioning and music and set out to test it on the road.

On-Road Performance

On the Street

Driving the RR Sport feels like being in a spacecraft. It’s comfortable, but we expected more. There was some wind noise while driving. However, we were primarily focused on the engine performance. Why not? We had both the V8 and V6 models to drive.

The V6 engine, with its 240 horsepower, performed well during the drive. We faced no issues, and the ride was smooth, but during acceleration, you could feel a loss of torque compared to the V8. We also encountered a strange noise from the engine, which could be improved.

The V8 engine, with a supercharged 510 horsepower, was fantastic. The effortless power made us smile every time we accelerated. The smile also came from the impressive sound of the V8 engine, as if it was begging us to accelerate again. But we had to adhere to speed limits and restrain ourselves. Now, off to the desert.

Performance on Sand

In the Desert

We must admit that driving the 2014 Range Rover off-road makes it feel effortless. While we didn't push the limits of off-road driving, the experience was excellent, considering it’s not a 4x4 like the Vogue. We tested both the V8 and V6 models, engaging the sand mode and setting off.

The V6 trembled a bit on the sand, requiring us to push the gas a lot to climb. It felt like the engine was struggling the whole time, but we were glad we didn’t get stuck at all.

The V8, however, was a blast. It was stable and smooth while going up and down the dunes effortlessly. Even though it wasn’t designed for the desert, it performed well. Overall, driving both vehicles in the desert was enjoyable.

Track Performance

On the Track

We had been looking forward to this moment all day to test the 510 horsepower at full speed on the track, so we wasted no time. After the safety briefing, we donned our gear and headed to the track. We only had the V8, so we set off and it was time to engage the dynamic mode.

To be honest, I was skeptical about driving an SUV on the track, but I was optimistic. The car truly comes alive on the track. The brakes and acceleration are simply the best in this category. The cornering weight, aluminum chassis, and dynamic suspension are impressive, and the stability and steering are excellent. This means anyone will enjoy the power on offer. Unfortunately, we only had 10 minutes to drive, completing 6 laps around the track, and we wanted more.

Sadly, we ran out of time for racing as they wanted to conclude the session by 5:30 PM.

We concluded our day with smiles, albeit slightly annoyed that the Range Rover Sport is more expensive than before, but it's definitely more enjoyable.