Flash Drive — 2012 Range Rover Sport

By Lary Coppola

Model Tested: 2012 Range Rover Sport

Engine: 5.0-Liter, 375 Horsepower, Aluminum Alloy V8

Transmission: 6-Speed, electronically controlled, with CommandShift® with Normal, Sport, and Manual shift modes. Permanent 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Electronic Traction Control (4ETC), 2-Speed electronic transfer box with electronic center differential

EPA Ratings: 13/City and 18/Highway; 15/Combined

Base Price: $60,045

As Tested: $67,695

Performance:
Outstanding at every level.
Excellent acceleration
Great handling — especially for a body-on-frame SUV
Terrific braking

Comfort:
Extremely comfortable seating
Power adjustable driver and passenger seats with memory
Dual zone climate controls
Power rear liftgate
GPS Off-Road enhanced hard drive Navigation system with driver information system and 7-inch full color touch screen
380-watt 11-speaker, Harmon Karden audio system with CD/DVD player, iPod connectivity, USB port and Bluetooth

Utility:
The Range Rover offers the ability to traverse any kind of terrain in comfort. Cargo space is more than adequate, and easy to access.

WOW Factors:
There is absolutely nowhere the Range Rover can't go. I was invited to attend the Land Rover Driving School in West Virginia several years ago and we actually drove up a flowing stream with water halfway up the doors, down a muddy hillside at about a 40 degree angle, as well as went other places you would need to file an Environmental Impact Statement to go in this state. The Range Rover handled them all with ease and finesse.

Whines:
The armrests on the captain chairs are a little clunky, and tend to stay in odd spots when you move them.

Bottom Line: The very best off-road vehicle on the planet — bar none. The Range Rover Sport will take you anywhere in total comfort and absolute luxury. It just doesn't get any better than this.