From the logbook: Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Elegant, exclusive, and expensive (ours is $61,900, with the 300-hp, 4.4-liter V8), the Range Rover Sport competes with other pricy (and gas thirsty) SUVs, including the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. How is such a luxurious guzzler fairing under our scrutiny? Are we ashamed to drive it in public, or does merely “arriving” in this prestige machine get us more attention than we deserve? Will the controls be any better than the cryptic ones in the last Land Rover we tested – the LR3, upon which the Sport is based – which we called “confusing [and] poorly located”? Read our first impressions from the logbook and find out if there’s much “sport” in the Range Rover Sport:

"Without the supercharged engine, this drives just like our old LR3 – kind of slow."

"Engine sounds great, but the hefty weight is apparent on acceleration."

"The ride is stiff and has abrupt impacts."

"Steering is short on feedback."

"For such a large vehicle, there is no room for the driver. I feel boxed in."

"The navigation system is the most complicated and least comprehensive I’ve ever used."

"It’s a nice looking vehicle, but $62K should include a backup camera, heated steering wheel, and six months of free satellite radio."

"What kooky controls…same radio faceplate as our LR2: big rotary knob on the right side, but it doesn’t tune the radio frequency…simply idiotic."

"Common controls like mirrors, windows, and door locks are ill-placed."

"Good visibility all around, comfortable seats."

"Thermonuclear seat heaters."

"The shoulder belt tugs hard and my knee bashes against the center console and door panel."

"Cramped rear seat for this class."

"Looks great, nicely done interior."

"Wonderful headlights, especially high beams."

"The solid feel of the car doesn’t carry over to the doors, which are hard to close the first time [you shut them] and have a loose, rattly sound when shutting. The tailgate is the same."

"Comes with lots of prestige, and it might be good off-road, but it’s really not exciting to drive. I can’t understand why this car is so fashionable and popular." [But, of course, this person lives in tony Westport, CT, which is chock-a-block with Land Rovers…]

"Strangely appealing, but not a smart purchase in any sense of the word."

So the debate continues as to whether or not there is much practicality in the Range Rover Sport…or is that missing the point? High-end SUVs look nice, many are seen as status symbols, and they cost truckloads of money both to buy and at the pump. That might address their affluent owners’ goals, but it doesn’t mean they’re good vehicles.  We’re putting together a test group that will include the Range Rover Sport, as well as the Porsche Cayenne, Toyota Land Cruiser, and others to see how these trucks perform as vehicles, not just as rolling jewelry.

—Mike Quincy

Comments

[Ray Clough]

If you don't get satisfaction from a Volvo Dealership, then, don't try calling Volvo USA. Those folks are the biggest joke in terms of customer service that I have ever experienced. The Volvo S60 is a great car, but, I will never own another Volvo because the buck stops when you purchase the car. I have brought my car in three times for a seat problem and each time the dealership provided great service, but, the problem kept coming back. When I contacted the folks at Volvo USA, the customer rep told me to work it out with the dealership; which I told her that I needed to speak with her boss then, when I spoke to the manager of customer care, he proceeded to tell me that I should contact the dealership to set up another appointment. I told him that I didn't like that answer and he gave me the President of the companies name to contact. I told him to go ahead and make my appointment, and he told me to get the folks with the President's office to make it for me, since I was calling them. I spoke to a women named Jay at that number, and she informed me to contact the dealership because they could set up the appointment with the seat specialist. Again, the buck stops at time of purchase. I told her that I didn't care for that response and that I would like to talk to the President of Volvo then. She said that would not be possible this week. I told her then can I talk to him next week, and her reply was, that you don't get it , you don't ever get to talk to him. Then I asked her why did one of the managers in customer care indicate that I was going to talk to him since I seem to irritate him, which amazed me that he was a manager of customer service.

Doesn't Ford own Volvo. Are they going to ruin that company too? By the way I did contact the dealership last week and they are still trying to figure out what to do with my situation.

Thank you,

Ray Clough

[rosemarie]

When will the comparison report of the Land Rover Sport, Porche Cayenne,Toyota Landcruiser etc be done and available? Thinking of getting rid of my 1997 landcruiser for a RR Sport and am nervous about the reliability....

[Liza]

The Land Rover Sport as well as the Cayenne and LandCruiser test will be featured in our November issue, online in early Oct.