Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR Review
The Range Rover SVR was the first mass-production vehicle to emerge from Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department and it has been built to contend with the best fast SUVs from Germany. Models such as the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, BMW X5M and Mercedes GLE 63 AMG.
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What's good
What's not so good
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR: what would you like to read next?
Overall verdict
Power comes from the same supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 fitted to the Jaguar F-Type R coupe. It’s good for 542bhp; enough to fling the heavyweight Range Rover Sport towards the horizon at an alarming rate. It can get from 0-62mph quicker than a Porsche 911 Carrera 2, while simultaneously emitting the kind of V8 rumble that sends even hardened tree huggers scrambling for cover.
Sadly, the running costs that come with making such a big car move so quickly could also scare off the odd enthusiast, although if you can afford to buy an SVR you’ll probably be able to run one, too.
To beat its rivals – especially the surprisingly nimble Cayenne Turbo S – the SVR also needs to handle in the twisty bits. To do it, the standard car’s suspension has been retuned and firmed up, although some of the standard Sport’s cosseting ride quality has been lost in the process.
It’s mad in the current climate of reducing emissions and fuel consumption that the SVR exists, but I’m very glad it does
Although there are no go-faster stripes, a gaping front spoiler, extended roof spoiler, quad exhaust pipes and unique badges make the SVR easy to distinguish from one of the more run-of-the-mill Sport models.
The inside has changed only a little, with sport seats in the front and extra bolstering for the outer seats on the rear bench. The latter means there’s now only really space for two passengers and (unlike the rest of the range) the SVR does without a pair of extra seats in the boot.
That aside, and given the performance on offer, it is a surprisingly practical car. Its tall body gives the driver an excellent, commanding view of the road ahead and makes for a roomy cabin, with a big boot. Excellent off-road ability is a given, too.
How practical is it?
The Range Rover Sport SVR is great for its driver, but it’s not as good for rear-seat passengers as the standard Range Rover Sport – and you can’t get a seven-seat version
The SVR team has done some amazing work, but to the detriment of practicality. Mind you, if you're looking at an SVR, space is probably the last thing on your mind
What's it like to drive?
Despite being the most performance-focused model that Land Rover currently produces, the SVR isn’t substantially different to the regular Range Rover Sport in terms of day-to-day driving.
The SVR strikes a fine balance between handling and ride comfort
What's it like inside?
As expected from a Range Rover (especially one that retails at nearly £100,000), the SVR has an excellently appointed interior, with a good chunk of the cabin’s trim pieces being crafted from aluminium or high-quality leathers.
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