2016 Range Rover & Range Rover Sport TD6

EPA ratings: 22/29mpg; 25mpg combined

0-60mph: 7.1-7.4sec (mfg)

Prices as tested: $82,625 (Sport); $106,325 (fullsize)

With VW’s “dieselgate” well underway, it would seem the timing of Land Rover’s release of diesel versions of the full-size and Sport Range Rovers is off. I disagree. I tend to see it as a positive for the British company, as it means that prospective shoppers now have an alternative to the Audi, Porsche and VW SUVs.

The first thing they’ll probably want to know is that this Td6 engine complies with our emissions laws. After testing the engine for quite some time, the EPA has ensured it is clean burning, and emits the fewest Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) as are permitted.

Next, how does it run? Superbly, it turns out. America (and Colorado in particular) suits turbodiesel engines, whose bountiful low-end torque (440lb-ft at 1750rpm) make them great for launching from stoplights and the typical urban traffic melee, mountain driving and towing up to 7,200 pounds. This is also one efficient powerplant, too, with EPA ratings and real world numbers in the 20s—staggering for something of this mass.

Very careful tuning of active engine mounts and acoustic treatments mean it is very quiet both idling and under load, though there’s a touch of vibration through the wheel at idle.

At cruising speed, the sound is only a whisper. Credit for the performance and economy owes to the eight-speed ZF transmission and its programming, which is about the best on the market right now.

Since this Td6 is actually lighter than the Range Rovers with gasoline engines, on-road handing and ride are unaffected. The Sport is the more dynamic of the two, with sharp, instinctive steering and excellent handling. Minor secondary ride patter on some surfaces is the Sport’s only demerit; the full-size Range Rover is smoother over broken blacktop but gives up some cornering precision.

Both Rangies display an unmatched off-pavement virtuosity, and the brilliance of Land Rover’s engineering heritage is evidenced in the new All-Terrain Progress Control, which selects a vast number of parameters to make it possible for even fearful ninnies to tackle the worst obstacles just by setting the off-road cruise control speed, thus allowing you to focus entirely on proper vehicle placement over obstacles.

All the other mod cons are onboard or in the offing, such as the faster, more intuitive InControl infotainment system and a hands-free tailgate whose opening height you can set of so as not to whack the garage roof.

All said, this is exactly the blend of attributes that the rest of the world has readily embraced. Half of all Range Rovers are diesel powered, and finally having access to them here is a boon.

Automotive Editor Isaac Bouchard is president of Englewood-based Bespoke Autos. Read
more of his reviews here on coloradoavidgolfer.com and at bespokeautos.com. Reach him at
[email protected].

This article appears in the June 2016 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.