Range Rover Sport Review

Range Rover Sport

The interior is typical Range Rover luxury from the cut-pile carpeting to the comfortable, leather-clad seats. The leather comes in three forms; sports- perforated with a metallic backing that shows through, premium - ruched and standard, which is smooth. Cloth covers are standard on the S trim model.

There is plenty of room for five passengers. The outer rear seats have extra contouring for comfort and the ceiling is profiled to allow for greater headroom in compensation of the tapering roof. The rear seats have an asymmetric split and fold function, which doesn’t require a degree in applied mechanics to operate. Taking advantage of the folding seats increases the luggage capacity from 958- to 2,013-litres and because the wheels have been pushed outwards compared to the Range Rover, the space is very usable.

Occupants sit high, especially the driver and front passenger. Not only does this provide you with good visibility, it also makes you feel confident. The driver’s seat has an 8-way adjustment and both front seats are powered, while all the seats are heated.

‘The fascia design accentuates vertical and horizontal lines’, Land Rover tells us. Although this is traditional it is beginning to look a bit dated despite the usage of new materials and the large centre console, which is now more driver-focused. Behind the rake and reach steering wheel is the instrument binacle, which houses the main dials with metallic surrounds and a digital information panel.

Depending on the trim level, the upper part of the centre console is dominated by a full-colour, touch-screen for the Satellite-Navigation it also displays the Terrain Response info and when stationary, DVD films. Below is the keypad for the optional, integrated telephone system and audio controls. A Harman/Kardon, ‘Logic 7’, surround-sound HiFi is also available. This system comes with no less than 14 speakers and an integrated 6-CD autochanger with MP3 compatibility. The lesser system comprises of 9 speakers and a 6-CD changer or a single-slot CD player with 8 speakers.

The optional DVD entertainment system comes with two screens set into the backs of the front headrests and a 6-DVD changer, which resides in the boot. Games consoles and MP3 players can also be plugged into the system.