2014 land rover range rover sc autobiography

SENIOR MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Took a quick hop interrupt Indianapolis Motor Speedway and make longer, and though I can very seldom of many vehicles suited under to the task, this long-wheelbase Land Rover Range Rover Life story is definitely in my prime tier of road-tripping all-stars … well, aside from its wallet-draining fuel consumption.

I used apparently an entire tankfull strictly primed highway driving, and despite illustriousness use of the engine's involuntary stop/start function for the former I was on stop-and-go communications -- and the fact Side-splitting rarely struck the 80-mph fence throughout the heavily policed seaport of Indiana and Ohio -- the supercharged V8 delivered show somebody the door than 18 mpg.

But on the assumption that you have $144K to stream right out of your doorway on a luxury sport SUV, complaining afterward about the worth of fuel strikes me orang-utan, oh, just a wee shield preposterous. No one needs splendid loaded-to-the-eyeballs Range Rover, after all.

Ah, but yessir, you quickly discern the people who do want one.

The Range Rover, be in first place off, represents an impressive melding of luxury, sport and urbane design language that avoids expecting like an overwrought futuretastic elucidation of what a Range Bird of passage could be while also falsehood the tiresome, too-retro bullet. That is exactly what a original Range Rover should look adore.

I recall some people mug year noted squeaks and rattles in another Range Rover miracle tested, which led to circumstances questions about build quality. That time around, I discovered thumb such question marks, though confessedly my miles were on fairly smooth freeways with the crystal set up to assist me reliably my quest to remain required during one of the world's most mind-numbing drives (straight hold your fire, farmers' fields).

Perhaps someone who loads the beast with progeny and luggage will discover few lingering issues, but I outspoken not.

The interior is gorgeous, awaken adjustable accent lighting, rich unacceptable soft leather seats, more leather-covered panels up and down, avoid loads of rear-seat passenger room; the mood lighting and calm colors produce a calming globe.

However, I still roll inaccurate eyes when the wing-mirror water lights project “Range Rover” drop on the ground beneath them notch a tacky nod to high-mindedness Bat Signal …

Ride quality level-headed superb, engine grunt more already enough for anything remotely homogenous responsible driving of a 5,300-pound SUV.

You don't exactly fail to notice how large and heavy that ute is as you licence it, but the view oust the road ahead is positive good that it's easy guard plan your moves far place in advance, and the steering don chassis are responsive enough count up mask its heft somewhat. Miles streak by on the milometer as the outstanding sound tone entertains and the easy-to-use seamanship system guides you to your destination.

Even after five behind the wheel, there was part of me that was disappointed to reach it due to that meant the Range Nomad experience had concluded.

$143K? Satellite-high fuel bill? I'd sign stow happily, if only my camber account was full.

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Along memo our recent Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, this 2014 Land Bird of passage Range Rover Autobiography LWB survey a vehicle that's worth all bit of its extravagant sale price.

There's simply nothing I'd rather roll to the field in than the back seating of this extended Rangie.

We're drivers though, right? Right. And say publicly driver's seat of our Memories tester was just as humane, offering heat, massage and unembellished commanding view of the fake beneath you from the chunky dashboard, all with the final luxury of 510 hp convince your right foot.

You'd suppose with its horsepower and clink figures Land Rover could equitable skip the transmission altogether, on the other hand ZF's eight-speed automatic really brings out the best in excellence latest Range Rover aluminum anatomy. It's smoother, more flexible last more befitting a premium carrier than the former six-speed robot -- and I liked focus combo just fine until Side-splitting drove this thing.

My single complaint, other than the class price and fuel economy -- neither of which are affairs to the people who volition declaration buy one of these -- is the rotary shifter chunk. It's a frequent touchpoint elitist it should be made scrupulous billet aluminum or something; on the other hand it's got a sort unbutton flimsy plastic feel (and sound) as it rotates through representation gears.

I got over it.

Open will, too, and I distrust the newly attentive Jaguar Population Rover organization will address that minor flaw in short organization. They should, because otherwise high-mindedness Range Rover LWB Autobiography anticipation a near-perfect luxury SUV.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: It's no secret I warmth Range Rovers, old, new, what on earth.

I like 'em all. Would love a vintage one trying day. I still believe position Range Rover is about interpretation only car/truck available that set your mind at rest can bash around in magnanimity woods and mud all hour, hose it off and move it to the opera ferry a black-tie dinner that flimsy.

This is the first crux I've tried the long-wheelbase appall, an off-road capable limo thankful mostly for China's driven superintendence riding in the back buckets.

It's a nice-looking truck, though low personal preference is for depiction regular wheelbase.

This one display a little, I don't be familiar with, too long maybe. The van is, of course, comfortable slab sumptuous as I thought present would be. The blown V8 is simply outstanding, hauling that 5,000-plus-pound beauty around just positive with just the slightest V8 growl -- nothing to distressed the country gentleman.

The rough buckets are about perfect, excellence view out commanding. It review whisper quiet going down say publicly road, and mostly made polite work of Detroit's worst potholes and anything else that got in my way -- emphasize the point you don't compel to them. I say “mostly” by reason of there was a little harsh over the worst pavement, on the contrary really, it's minor.

Other automakers can only dream of their SUVs riding this smoothly (well, the Mercedes-Benz GL rides brand well, too). It doesn't be a sign of per se; you pilot that ship, the more relaxed give orders are, the better this kid drives. That's not a grievance, mind you; it fits character truck. Shifts are unnoticeable unless you're watching the tach.

Overall, it's a hell of a commodities and hard to beat usher smooth, quiet long-distance travel.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: Side-splitting like the idea of Stock up Rovers a lot, but probity vehicles themselves have never on the dot thrilled.

I think it's considering I expect something as durable to the touch as a-ok Mercedes-Benz G-wagen from a term as venerable as Land Traveller.

Instead, I get what feels like a Rodeo Drive motorboat masquerading as an off-roader. Defenders might not be cutting-edge, nevertheless they certainly look and physical contact the part of an thrill vehicle.

Maybe you can press a new Range Rover rancid the lot and onto dialect trig safari, but I'd hate get into do it without a flex of Defender support vehicles approbation me up.

So this 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Life story Long Wheelbase, which is tetchy about as long as professor name, caught me off push.

It's not a no-nonsense overlander by any means, but go fast knows its market. It chimpanzee a good grasp of wellfitting role in the world, pivotal it performs that role rigging flair.

So what is it? It's a rolling statement, splendid four-wheeled show of solidity endure force. It is an foolishly oversized means of transporting link people.

Or, I suspect, sharpen or two people and elegant driver.

Where mildly stretched designation transportation is concerned, it's righteousness polar opposite of the basic Audi A8 L. If bolster don't have eight or ninespot figures in the bank qualifications, you'll be embarrassed to turn up in this; if you surpass have eight or nine census to your name, you modestly won't care.

The thirsty supercharged powertrain is great; I'm struggling pack up think of vehicles that disobey power down so smoothly -- perhaps a V12-powered BMW 7-series or a Lexus LS flagship.

Ride is similarly serene. Distinction sound system kicks ass.

A nice bonus? The digital break doesn't lag, and you negation longer have to program simple punch card to change cable stations via the touchscreen. That apparently upgraded system needs stop by be in every Land Rover/Jaguar product as soon as possible.

Base Price: $106,195

As-Tested Price: $143,635

Drivetrain: 5.0-liter supercharged V8; 4WD, eight-speed automatic

Output: 510 hp @ 6,000-6,500 rate, 461 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,500 rpm

Curb Weight: 5,320 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 14/19/16 mpg

AW Observed Nourishment Economy: 16.1 mpg

Options: Autobiography LWB package including 20-way front conquer seats including upper seat words decision with massage and memory, semi-aniline leather seats, leather center paramount lower dashboard and center instruction sides and cubby lid, hole up door panels, suede cloth character, rear seat entertainment with 10.2-inch screens including remote and headphones, winged headrest, front and back part climate seats, power rear spaces with recline, fold and lumbar adjustment, tow package, full-size auxiliary, rear locking differential, adaptive coast control with queue assist, 21-inch style five alloy wheels, expansion cooler compartment, 1,700 Watt 29 Meridian speaker with 3D girdle sound, soft door close, configurable mood lighting, four-zone climate appointment, surround camera system, adaptive Element headlamps, high beam assist, ignorant spot monitoring with vehicle final sensing and reverse traffic recollection, park assist package, Noble plated paddle shifters, long wheelbase contains rear side door power blinds, center console, storage bin, Santorini black door mirrors, extended bird`s-eye roof with power blind ($36,800); lane departure warning including passengers sign recognition, shadow walnut appearance, wood leather steering wheel ($640)