Introduction
The British SUV maker has updated its mid-size SUV variant – the Sport. This new model is priced between Rs 93.82 lakh and Rs 1.64 crore (ex-showroom). This SUV sits below the company’s bigger SUV in the line-up, called the Range Rover. The company now also has a lot of other models in the line-up, the newest one being the Velar. This means, the Sport has a tougher job at proving its worth. That said, there is some good news, it still has a lot of likeable features.
A big one is the updated styling, big thanks to the all-LED headlights. The car also has reworked bumpers and really good-looking 21-inch wheels. 21-inch would have been considered too large at one point, but they suit the SUV well now. Other than that, nothing has changed and the car remains nice looking.
On the inside
The interior is similar, with large front seats that give you a good view out. The materials on the inside are surprisingly high quality, especially when it comes to the switches. And while some switches aren’t spot on, like the mirror adjuster, they do look good.
The largest change can be seen in form of the brand new infotainment unit. It is called the Touch Pro Duo and was first seen on the Velar. The first thing that one will notice is the how bright, and high definition the graphics are. Like earlier, the screen that sits on top shows music, navigation, phone and other setting. The other screen, meanwhile, takes care of climate control, driving modes and other controls.
A nice feature is how the screens can be tilted forward so that reflections can be avoided. Simple functions can also be controlled with rotary dials, if you wish to avoid using the screen. While it does look thoroughly up-to-date, it still misses out on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How does it drive?
The Sport can be had with four powertrains – a diesel V6, two V8s and one diesel V8. The car we were driving was the 300hp V6 diesel. This SUV does 0-100kph in an impressive 7.7sec. For this engine, it sounds nice and reminded us of the Maserati V6. The eight speed transmission, however, isn’t the best and sometimes misses a beat while downshifting. That said, power builds well and you will be pleasantly surprised by how well it moves along.
Interestingly, the Sport title on this car was always slightly misleading. Yes, when compared to its larger sibling, it can be considered sporty. But, if you were looking for performance the Porsche Cayenne or the X5 would be a better option. The Sport keeps its large body in control well, but the steering is a little too light for aggressive driving. Furthermore, we found the suspension to be set up firmer than needed, that combined with the large wheels drastically reduces ride quality.
Nicely, the SUV still remains extremely capable off-road. We even drove the car through flooded patches in Mumbai and the car didn’t skip a beat. The additional features this car gets, like the adaptive cruise control and collision warning help with safety considerably.
Should I buy one?
The British SUV has created a lot of overlap in its model range. The big Range Rover continues to be the ultimate choice, the Discovery is the one for practicality and the Velar is now, actually sporty. So, where does this Sport model stand? Well, it gives you a little bit of everything and while the price may be high, it still has good looks and luxury.
