But even being a jaded automotive writer, having driven everything
from Acuras to Volvos, and most every brand in between, such as Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and a host left unmentioned for no particular reason, I felt almost regal in the Range Rover Sport Supercharged. It's the kind of vehicle Prince Charles drives on his way to a polo match or to let out the hounds prior to a hunt, let alone the actual vehicle given, by appointment no less, to her majesty, et al.
Royalty I wasn't when returning home, mind you; a frazzled wife heaving the children upon me while I "nuked" some M&Ms (the meat shop not the chocolates) for dinner. But how could I complain? I just enjoyed, albeit a little tired from the experience, one of the best sport utility vehicles money can buy. I was nourished with good food, relaxed in a comfortable hotel and made new friends, book-ended with some quality adventure time.
I don't have many complaints, about the car I mean; one really, and
it wasn't from me. A colleague, who joined me for lunch, found the front seat cramped, especially for his legs. He's a tall man, so it makes sense that I wouldn't have noticed such a problem being a mere 5'8", but this was a turnoff for him, saying that it wasn't really any lack of depth for his legs, per se, but rather a lack of width between the inner door panel and wide centre stack and console. Overall, I found the Sport quite accommodating, but could see how a larger person would feel a bit shoehorned into the front passenger seat. The rear seats seem to be more spacious, and thanks to a DVD system with twin monitors conveniently integrated into the backs of each front seat headrest, would be an ideal long-term storage area for kids - at least my five-year old boy thought the system was pretty cool. Hmmm... maybe I could borrow it again for summer vacation?
And that question leads me back to the cracks in the window. Turns
out the entire windshield had to be replaced after all, thanks to what appears, under close inspection, to be a system of a thousand tiny electric wires, or so, sandwiched within the glass, designed to thaw out ice and snow quickly, although rather pricey for repair. I cringe to imagine what those road missiles did to what was previously a meticulous coat of silver paint covering the Sport's somewhat vertical front end (although something like ClearBra.ca's Paint Protection Film would probably do the trick, protecting the paint finish for a lot less than constant repaints). When I brought it back, it was too dirty to tell, but I can only guess that no-one
will be allowed to take a Land Rover press vehicle on a winter drive up and over the Coquihalla pass anytime soon.
Still, such a drive is precisely what this kind of vehicle was made for, and exactly what the supercharged Range Rover Sport excels at. I came away from this road trip appreciating the Sport for what it is; one of the best SUVs money can buy... period. It's not the quickest, although it's quicker than you'll ever need, its not the most efficient from a fuel economy point of view, as if that matters to the $100K club, and if third party studies from J. D. Powers and Consumer Reports are any indication, it may not be the most reliable either; but it's fabulous to look at, wonderful to drive on any terrain, and meticulously crafted. No wonder Land Rover is once again in the black.
Specifications (Sport Supercharged):
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| Clamshell-like rear cargo access from the regular Range Rover is replaced by a full lift-up tailgate, incorporating a handy pop-up glass hatch. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Royalty I wasn't when returning home, mind you; a frazzled wife heaving the children upon me while I "nuked" some M&Ms (the meat shop not the chocolates) for dinner. But how could I complain? I just enjoyed, albeit a little tired from the experience, one of the best sport utility vehicles money can buy. I was nourished with good food, relaxed in a comfortable hotel and made new friends, book-ended with some quality adventure time.
I don't have many complaints, about the car I mean; one really, and
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| LCD screens linked to DVD player provide those in back with entertainment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
And that question leads me back to the cracks in the window. Turns
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| Range Rover Sport's interior is a comfortable place to be. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
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| Dirt, dirt and more dirt... that LR badge has never looked better. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Still, such a drive is precisely what this kind of vehicle was made for, and exactly what the supercharged Range Rover Sport excels at. I came away from this road trip appreciating the Sport for what it is; one of the best SUVs money can buy... period. It's not the quickest, although it's quicker than you'll ever need, its not the most efficient from a fuel economy point of view, as if that matters to the $100K club, and if third party studies from J. D. Powers and Consumer Reports are any indication, it may not be the most reliable either; but it's fabulous to look at, wonderful to drive on any terrain, and meticulously crafted. No wonder Land Rover is once again in the black.
Specifications (Sport Supercharged):
- Price Range (MSRP): $93,800 - $101,300
- Price as Tested: $101,300
- Freight & PDI: $995
- Body Type: 5-door SUV
- Layout: front engine, 4WD
- Engine: 390-hp, 410 lb-ft of torque, 4.2L, 32-valve, supercharged DOHC V8
- Transmission: 6-spd automatic with manual mode
- Top Speed: 225 km/h (140 mph), electronically limited
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS with EBD
- Warranty (mo/km): 48 / 80,000 comprehensive
- Competitors: BMW X5 4.8i, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Volkswagen Touareg V8 / W12
- Web Site: www.landrover.com
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged
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