2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Episode 3319
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

With last year’s near total transformation of Land Rover’s Range Rover, sales for the ruggedly premium utility brand are up double digits. Indeed, November was one of their best U.S. sales months ever. Well, now they hope to spread a little of that success to their bestselling model, the Range Rover Sport. So, let’s find out if they can keep the momentum going. 

A big part of the 2014 Range Rover Sport’s appeal is, without a doubt, that “go anywhere in luxury” tradition of the Land Rover brand. But just like many other builders of traditional SUVs, if they want to increase sales numbers, as Land Rover surely does, their utilities will have to become even more refined. 

And, that’s clearly what was intended with the new Sport. Developed alongside the also-new Range Rover that launched just last year, the Sport shares the same all-aluminum architecture and 800-pound weight loss despite growing larger and more functional.

For differentiation, the Sport’s front-end styling is more Evoque than Range Rover, but with the slant-back image of previous generations still intact. It looks slick and rugged; though more than a few of our staffers also pointed out a resemblance to the Ford Explorer. The blacked out pillars and rear glass give it a wraparound visor treatment, with a thick spoiler topping the hatch.

V6 models ride on 19-inch wheels, V8s on 20s. Both V6 and V8 come supercharged, with an incredibly smooth 8-speed automatic transmission and permanent 4-wheel-drive. 

The brute of the two V’s is our tester’s 5.0-liter eight. It cranks out 510-horsepower and 461 lb-ft. of torque, and sounds nastier than any SUV we can remember.

But it’s the interior presents perhaps the biggest visual change where things are simpler, cleaner, more logical, all while becoming roomier. Space was sorely needed in the back seat where the added leg room is appreciated. Still even more is needed for normal adults so those in the front don’t have to move their seats forward.

New this year is an optional child-size third row. There are loads of interior choices for color and wood tones, and just about all the creature comforts you could ask for including a big sunroof and power rear hatch.  Everything works well, and the IP layout is excellent; a beautiful mix of needles and dials with the digital age meeting Land Rover tradition. 

Despite the increasingly refined nature, on the road it still feels like a truck, which is just fine by us. It soaks up road imperfections much better than before, there’s a commanding view from the driver’s seat, and no matter the road surface it feels incredibly composed, smooth, and never harsh. It’s probably the best riding SUV out there, managing to still feel like a Land Rover with that go anywhere sensation, just a super smooth one. 

Even at higher speeds, the Sport feels flat and sporty, making you want to go faster than you should through corners, but don’t worry, electronic nannies have your back. For a vehicle that weighs over 47–hundred pounds it responds very light. The Enhanced Electronic Air suspension’s Auto mode reacts promptly, and Dynamic mode firms things up to sport sedan territory. Land Rover claims it’s their most agile UTE ever, and we can’t help but agree. 

An early winter storm prevented us from really pushing the Sport to its limits at our test track, but did provide us a chance to fully experience Terrain Response 2’s snow setting. While the standard V6 is probably more than up to the task of carpooling and mall running, it’s big V8 power that we crave and the Sport has a huge amount of it, delivering it in a very luxury car-like fashion. 

Acceleration is brisk, hitting 60 in as little as 5.0-seconds. Of course you have to pay on the back end with Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 14-City, 19-Highway, and 16-Combined. We managed 16.6 miles-per-gallon of Premium in mixed driving. That makes for a poor Energy Impact Score, with 20.6-barrels of oil being consumed per year and 9.4-tons of CO2 emitted. 

If we’ve got a nit to pick, it’s the very noticeable stop/start system, though some harshness might be expected when you’re instantly igniting this much engine. But, you really don’t expect any roughness with a vehicle with a base price of $63,495. V8’s begin at $79,995. 

So you’ll need to bring the bucks, but you will be very satisfied; as there’s no denying that the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is vastly better than before. It’s a lot more refined without losing any of its Land Rover-ness. A formula that many other brands have been unable to duplicate, and a recipe that will keep the momentum going for Land Rover.

Specifications

  • Engine: 5.0-liter
  • Horsepower: 510
  • Torque: 461 lb-ft.
  • 0-60 mph: 5.0 seconds
  • EPA: 14 mpg city/ 19 mpg highway
  • Energy Impact: 20.6 barrels of oil/yr
  • CO2 Emissions: 9.4 tons/yr
Honda Prologue Reinvigorates Brand’s Electric Efforts

2024 Honda Prologue

Honda Shows Up Late To EV Party, Brings Best Appetizer

Episode 4329
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Except for some very limited run vehicles over the years, Honda has largely been sitting out the EV revolution. But that all changes now their first high volume effort, the Prologue. So, let’s find out if it is indeed the start of a great run for Honda.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is not only the brand’s first serious battery electric effort, but it’s also a substantial midsize five-passenger SUV, coming in about 3-inches longer than the internal combustion Passport. Though it’s worth noting, they got here with the help of General Motors and their Ultium EV platform.

So, Honda came to play, both with ultra-competitive pricing and segment leading 296 miles of range. That’s with the standard single-motor front-wheel drive EX rated for 212 horsepower, but top Elite doesn’t sacrifice all that much, coming in at 273 miles. The additional rear motor raises total output to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft torque.

2024 Honda Prologue 4
2024 Honda Prologue 2
2024 Honda Prologue 3
2024 Honda Prologue 1
2024 Honda Prologue 5
2024 Honda Prologue 42024 Honda Prologue 22024 Honda Prologue 32024 Honda Prologue 12024 Honda Prologue 5

Relatively low output numbers in the EV game, but the Elite’s all-wheel drive setup delivered plenty enough acceleration to get our blood pumping during some early and very wet drive time through the recent historic downpours in Northern California.

And while Honda did get here with the help of GM and their Ultium chassis, the multi-link suspension bolted to it has been optimized by Honda for a “dynamic driving experience.” It was indeed plenty of fun to drive, nimble for its size with responsive steering, though we were also happy to find it comfortable and safe feeling in those weather conditions. It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

Comprehensive drive modes address just about every aspect of the driving experience, from power delivery to steering response and even braking power; but also changes things up inside with lighting and displays as well as active sound control.

For now, all Prologues come with an 85-kWh battery that will accept up to 150-kW fast charging for 65 miles of range for every 10 minutes on charge.

It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

As we’ve come to expect from Honda, the Prologue’s interior is minimalistic and practical, though not fully simplistic as there is plenty of tech on display, including the very high-mounted 11.3-inch touchscreen display. It has a Google-based operating system built into it like in the latest Accord Touring, and you can still use your Apple Carplay and Android Auto phones, both of which connect wirelessly.

Just below that display is some refreshingly easy to use traditional climate controls, and behind the steering wheel is a hoodless 11-inch tablet-style gauge display. Honda worked with Bose to develop an EV-specific sound system with 12 speakers. The standard EX’s system works with six speakers.

Being an EV means more space inside for both front and rear passengers than a vehicle built around a conventional drivetrain. Though with a substantial dual-level center console it doesn’t have the open floorplan of some EVs. The top layer of that console houses dedicated cell phone storage, mega-sized cupholders and Honda’s first use of a pocket-type wireless phone charger, which is standard. There’s space in back for 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo; 54.5 cubic-feet with the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded; plus, more space under the cargo floor.

2024 Honda Prologue 6
2024 Honda Prologue 10
2024 Honda Prologue 8
2024 Honda Prologue 7
2024 Honda Prologue 9
2024 Honda Prologue 62024 Honda Prologue 102024 Honda Prologue 82024 Honda Prologue 72024 Honda Prologue 9

And while length and ground clearance are in the ballpark with the Passport, the Prologue’s wheelbase is nearly a foot longer, and it sits much lower, with a design theme that Honda calls “neo-rugged.” Its slick shape and smooth body panels are clearly designed for enhancing aerodynamics, yet the overall design doesn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops. Aero-optimized 19-inch wheels are standard, with Elite rolling on 21s, a first for Honda. Roof rails, panoramic roof, and power liftgate are standard on all but the base EX.
With the launch of this new generation of Honda comes new badging that looks to the past with throwback-looking Honda script now spelled out across the back. The Prologue and future Honda EVs also get a new “e” series logo.

Comprehensive Honda Sensing safety features are included on most Prologues, with just rear pedestrian alert and a Surround Vision camera system reserved for Elite.

Pricing starts, before incentives, at just $48,795 for a front-wheel-drive EX, top Elite comes with all-wheel drive and starts at $59,295.

Like most brands, Honda has big plans to deliver a full array of battery electrics in the near future, making significant investments here in the U.S. to make it happen. It may have taken a little help from General Motors to get them started, but Honda is in the EV game for real now, and it arrives at a great time when competition in the midsize SUV EV ranks is getting serious. So, the 2024 Honda Prologue does indeed look like the start of something special for Honda, and for all of us.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Motor Setup: Dual Motor
  • Horsepower: 288
  • Range: 273 miles
  • Battery Size: 85-kWh
  • Torque: 333 lb-ft
  • Peak Charging Rate: 150-kW