We use the word “green” to characterize cars that are easier on our environment, but we don’t have a similar word for cars that are harder on it.
Since red is opposite green on a color wheel, the word “red” might do the trick.
For all their splendidness, Land Rovers have been stigmatized due to poor fuel economy. They’d be “red” in the proposed new lexicon.
Now, however, for the first time in North America there’s a diesel option in Land Rover’s lineup: the Range Rover Sport HSE Td6, equipped with a turbocharged V6 diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain supplies a soul-stirring 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, along with a fuel economy rating of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
Those numbers might not qualify for full-blown green status, but in a vehicle known for fuel economy ratings in the teens, it saves this Range Rover from being red.
Land Rover’s trademark is combining authoritative off-road capability with passenger cabin extravagance, and the Range Rover Sport HSE Td6 exemplifies it in the extreme.
I gave my diesel Range Rover tester a good workout off-road, and an even better one on the highway. Three of my Pilchuck Audubon Society birding pals and I packed up the five-passenger SUV and headed out to Eastern Washington for the annual spring migration of sandhill cranes near Othello. The car itself weighs 4,727 pounds. Add four adults and all the gear birders cherish – including spotting scopes, tripods, binoculars, field guides, cameras, backpacks, food, water and foul-weather garb – well, God only knows what the total weight was. I wouldn’t have blamed the Rover if it didn’t move an inch when I hit the gas.
But move it did. Up and over Snoqualmie Pass with tremendous grace and no effort whatsoever. My passengers, who spend all their money on bulk birdseed and expensive optics instead of fancy cars, were greatly entertained and impressed by the Rover’s many power-operated comfort and convenience features. One passenger expressed outrage at having to manually fasten the seatbelt.
At one point, someone mentioned how quiet it was in the car: “I’ve never been in a car where the front passengers and back-seat passengers could hear each other without raising their voices.” We were going 70 (at least) on I-90, when any car’s passenger cabin would be at its loudest. I, who drive fancy cars all the time, must say this new Range Rover has the quietest cabin ever.
The passengers loved the panoramic glass roof because they could check the sky for birds while I drove. As standard equipment it’s a fixed roof. A sliding version is available as a $500 option.
In Othello we met up with another Audubon pal who lives in Spokane. The Rover easily accommodated the fifth person and the onslaught of more gear.
The tester’s base price is increased by several option packages: Front Climate Comfort and Visibility, Driver Assistance, Extra Duty, and Towing. Also, an 825-watt premium audio system, a front cooler console compartment, and a few other features no one should have to live without. All told: $11,815 in extras, plus a $995 destination charge. And the total cost is still under $85,000. That’s a bargain, and I’m only half kidding.
To hell with birdseed!
2016 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE TD6
Base price, including destination charge: $72,445
Price as driven: $84,260
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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