2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE

I’ll never turn down the chance to drive a Range Rover, any Range Rover-new, old, beat-up, pristine, it doesn’t matter. I like them all.

This 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE was no exception. It is built like a brick and has a terrific ride-handling mix for a 5,500-pounder, and by that I mean few vehicles soak up the Detroit potholes as well. I’m always astonished at how well-planted these big Rovers feel when I drive them. It is also exceptionally well built inside with beautiful materials.

You sit high in the cockpit with a commanding view of the road. The normally aspirated V8 provides plenty of power, and the shifts from the six-speed auto are imperceptible.

I’ve been known to rail "the rent is too damn high"-style against the ridiculous sticker prices cropping up on so many new cars. And make no mistake, at $68,000 and change, the Range Rover Sport isn’t for the faint of heart or wallet.

The thing is, the Range Rover actually feels like a $70,000 vehicle. After spending the evening on a combination of traffic-clogged highways, slow side streets and wide-open interstates, I returned to the office, saw the MSRP and thought to myself, "Yeah, that sounds about right."

To be clear, I’m not in the Range Rover tax bracket. The point is with its lusty V8, opulent cabin and general overall feel of quality and luxury, the big Land Rover actually begins to deliver on a value proposition. You could spend a heck of a lot more and get less from certain to-remain-nameless German automakers.

Granted, you’re going to funnel a fat chunk of change directly into the Range Rover’s fuel tank thanks to a laughable 15 mpg combined. And the "utility" part of the acronym is equally questionable considering the compromised rear-seat legroom and cargo area. Consider the Range Rover Sport a tall personal-luxury vehicle, though, and skip the Sierra Club meetings and enjoy an actual luxury value for once.

I’m going to start by saying something that I’ve never said about any vehicle ever: It doesn’t need any more power. The 375 hp from the naturally aspirated V8 moves this big truck around just fine. If this only gets 15 mpg, the supercharged version must get 11 mpg.

With all that said, I love the upholstery in this vehicle-nicely stitched leather-and the obligatory Land Rover arm rests, which are a nice touch even if a tad antiquated by today’s vehicle interior standards. But they work, and I’m glad Land Rover continues that tradition.

Good vehicle, but it’s time for an update.

More Pictures of Land Rover Range Rover Sport