Driven: Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic Review

Driven: Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic Review

Following a track test drive with the Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic here is the first drive review of this well-established full size SUV.

What’s the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic All About?

The Range Rover Sport has become a staple car from Land Rover over the past 10 years. Many Range Rover Vogue owners have moved to the Range Rover Sport for its improved styling and more modern looks. The Autobiography Dynamic version is the top of the range edition, excluding the speed focused SVR. There are plenty of bells and whistles to play with, but unfortunately I didn’t get enough time with the car to test them all out this time round.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic Review

The Range Rover Sport, in my opinion, looks really good for a full sized SUV. It stands out from the crowd and has many options you can swap out to make each one different from the rest; this model in particular comes with 22″ split spoke wheels.

Going for the Autobiography version gives you added features such as Meridian 825watt sound system, adaptive cruise control, enhanced exterior body styling and sliding panormamic roof.

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This Range Rover Sport is powered by a 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine that creates 292bhp and 600Nm of torque. All that power from the engine goes through an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox and then through to all four wheels, as you would expect from an all-terrain vehicle. This engine and gearbox setup together will get you from 0 to 60mph in 6.8 seconds and will keep you going all the way up to 130mph.

How Does it Drive?

Getting into the Range Rover Sport it feels like a true luxury car, you know that you are in a full size SUV as you sit up high from the road. The Range Rover Sport suspension removes the feel of any bumps in the road, and doesn’t allow the car to roll too much in the corners; making it a really comfortable drive. The steering is nice and light, and the 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox goes through the gears very smoothly.

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The Range Rover Sport still has true Land Rover roots but gets all the modern features you expect like four corner air suspension and Terrain Response with five terrain modes.  I didn’t get the opportunity to take the car off road so right now I can’t vouch for how good that is. But knowing it is designed to work well off road makes you more impressed with just how well it works on the road. The cornering on this huge SUV is particularly great, the first time I showed the Range Rover a fast corner I was silenced with how flat the car travelled around it, it takes the  corners on so well. The car feels very sturdy on the road and is better than you would expect from any SUV.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic Review

The 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine creates 292bhp and 600Nm, and actually works very well for a car that weighs 2,115kg. It can still return a combined mpg figure of around 37mpg. Which is very liveable and is a great balance between performance and economy.

What’s it like inside?

Inside the Range Rover Sport Autobiography is pretty much what you would expect from any luxury Range Rover; it has a modern Land Rover design packed with the latest features for safe driving, entertainment, and comfort. Everything you touch feels high quality and well built, I would expect nothing less from a premium priced Range Rover.

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Similar to the Range Rover Vogue, the Sport features a selection of chunky buttons in the centre console to control all the advanced features on the car, which are straightforward to use. There is also a large central infotainment screen that is used to manage the audio system, play DVDs, and show information about the car. The Autobiography Dynamic has the premium sound by Meridian that creates 825watts and sounds awesome even just listening to the radio.

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Sat in the front of the Range Rover Sport , it feels huge. At 6’4 I had plenty of headroom and I thought it felt spacious throughout my testing. In the back there is plenty of room to fit an additional two adults, and the centre seat is fine for a child.

The Experience

Driving the Range Rover Sport does give you a sense of being isolated and shut out from the rest of the world. It lets you go on a journey across any terrain no matter how tough, but remain in complete comfort and have confidence that you will make it there.

The Range Rover Sport experience is one of real luxury and power, and reasonable economy too. There is so much to love about the Range Rover Sport and from a styling perspective this Land Rover is the go-to SUV and the sales figures reflect this.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic Review

Verdict

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic by far exceeds what is asked from an SUV. Land Rover have gone the extra mile adding stylish design, luxury features, and balanced performance. Going for the Autobiography Dynamic really just takes the Range Rover Sport experience up a notch with its premium and luxury futures, which if you can afford it are certainly worth it.

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Video Highlights

 

Specification

Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography
  • Price: £74,955
  • Engine: 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine
  • Power: 292bhp
  • Torque: 600Nm
  • Transmission: ZF 8-speed automatic
  • 0-62mph: 6.8 Seconds
  • Top speed: 130mph
  • Weight: 2,115kg
  • Economy combined: 37.7mpg
  • CO2: 199g/km

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Author: Paul Hadley