- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0DTT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
177kW, 500Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 6.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XC
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2018 Range Rover Sport SD4 SE new car review
- Timeless looks.
- Plush cabin.
- Makes the driver feel in command.
- Small engine works hard at times.
- Fuel economy claim feels unreachable.
- Questionable value.
The Range Rover Sport has been the coolest SUV since before SUVs were cool.
Popular among celebrities and athletes ever since the first generation launched in 2004, the second-generation has now been given a mid-life upgrade for 2018, which we’re testing here.
While the appearance remains largely unchanged there are some big changes inside, including a new infotainment and climate control system, and the introduction of the model’s first hybrid powertrain.
We’re not driving that though; instead we’re testing the more modest SD4 SE which sits only one rung from the bottom on the model ladder. So is this style icon still fashionable?
What do you get?
Range Rover offers an expansive Sport line-up that stretches from the $95,100 SD4 S all the way up to $238,200 for the supercharged V8 SVR. The SD4 SE we have here is priced from $98,400 (plus on-road costs).
For that you get 19-inch alloy wheels, auto headlights and wipers, leather upholstery, dark satin brushed aluminium trim, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, navigation, Bluetooth and wi-fi hotspot.
Its safety package includes emergency braking, lane departure warning, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. It also comes with trailer stability assist and towing preparation if you need it.
Our test car was fitted with a large number of options that pushed the price to $138,920 including an Off Road Pack, for those who want to get their Rangie dirty, that adds a twin-speed transfer box, All Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response 2, adaptive dynamics and air suspension for $5610. It also had the $5310 Comfort and Convenience Pack that consists of a powered tailgate with gesture control and keyless entry. Other optional extras for this luxury SUV include a sunroof ($4420), digital radio ($950), 13-speaker Meridian sound system ($800) and 20-inch alloys ($2520).
The long, and expensive, list of options is typical of Jaguar Land Rover models and does dull the value argument when compared with its German competition.
It does recover some ground when you factor in its servicing plans cover the first five years for only $1500.
What’s inside?
The most obvious change for this updated Sport is the cabin where Land Rover’s new InControl Touch Duo - a pair of 10-inch touchscreens, one for the infotainment functions and another for the climate control - take centre stage. This is the same design and technology that wowed when Range Rover launched the Velar so it makes sense to roll it out across the brand’s line-up.
It certainly looks cutting edge and offers excellent functionality but some of the controls and menus can be a little tricky to get your head around, at least initially. Plus the lack of physical buttons (there’s only a pair of rotary dials that can switch between functions) make it difficult to use on the move without taking your eyes off the road. However, perhaps with more time and familiarity it would become more intuitive, so it’s no deal-breaker.
What is a potential deal-breaker, or at least something that raises questions, is Land Rover’s reputation for reliability. Deserved or not there are question marks over how well built the British machines are and our test car suffered a failure of its (optional) soft close doors. The front passenger door wouldn’t close itself and had to be slammed closed manually with significant force.
Under the bonnet
There’s no other way to say it - this is a very big SUV with a small engine. The Sport weighs more than 2000kg so a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel looks underwhelming on paper.
Once you start driving though the little engine does a commendable job, feeling plenty strong enough to get the job done. That’s because it boasts 500Nm of torque, along with 177kW, which means it has pretty decent pulling power.
You do need to work it harder than its V6 diesel sibling so it can be a bit noisy at times as the little engine exerts itself to move the Sport but it never feels underwhelming.
The theoretical benefit of such a small engine is lower fuel use, and the eight-speed automatic does head for the taller gears early to take the load off the engine, with a claimed figure of just 6.5-litres per 100km.
In the real world you’ll struggle to hit that number but even low double digits isn’t a bad return for such a big SUV.
On the road
Sport isn’t a truly representative name for this Range Rover. Sure, it’s smaller and more agile to drive than its big brother but you’d hardly call it athletic.
However, it is a great car to drive because it does feel more responsive than its size suggests on road and thanks to its off-road package it has no trouble soaking up any imperfections in the road. The air suspension dispatched small and large bumps with ease, even speed bumps are only a minor blip in the cabin.
Even in this lower-grade SE specification, the Range Rover makes you feel like you’re in charge of the road. There’s excellent visibility through the large windscreen and across the bonnet and the high seating position gives you a commanding view of your surrounds.
Verdict
The small engine does its best to live up to the badge but this isn't the pick of the Range Rover Sport line-up. What it is though is a very good SUV that has all the style, sophistication and space you expect from the British brand. It is perfectly on trend.
2018 Range Rover Sport SD4 SE pricing and specifications
Price: From $98,400 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 177kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.5L/100km
The Competitors
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 160kW
Price: From $97,800 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Power: 160kW
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 5.8L/100km
Our score: 8/10
Get a great deal today
Interested in this car? Provide your details and we'll connect you to a member of the Drive team.
BMW X5 sDrive25d
Price: From $93,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 160kW
Torque: 450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel use: 5.8L/100km
Our score: 7/10
Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum
Price: From $93,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel
Power: 165kW
Torque: 470Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 6.2L/100km
Our score: 7/10