I got out feeling fresher than anything else I’ve done similar journeys in, thanks to a cosseting set-up that is still far more poised and direct than well over two-and-a-half tonnes of high-riding metal has any right to be. As mentioned in a previous report, the SV version is another level altogether, but the regular Sport really can do everything I need, and that’s without even exploring what it can do with wellies on, thanks to Land Rover’s brilliant Terrain Response system.
Less complimentary are a few small-scale system elements, such as it taking 18 button presses to go from one trip computer setting to another – for example from start-up on that journey to the longer-term tank or even lifetime readouts. Most cars will let you click between the two, but not with the Land Rover system, where you have to go in and out of several menus. The nav, as discussed in previous reports, is also excellent, right up to the point where you want it to take account of traffic problems, when you’ll wish you had used the less visually appealing Apple or Google Maps.
Our car came stacked with options, which fall into categories of ‘should really have been standard’ (privacy glass or powered tailgate for example), ‘great if you’ll use it’ (such as the retractable towbar and three-pin plug socket) and ‘extravagances’ like the Velocity Blue paint, which turned heads with maybe a 75:25 per cent positive reaction, but there are better ways to spend almost £8,000, and cheaper lower-key alternatives are available.
Then there’s the likes of WiFi, which appears pricey at £420 for a year or £670 for two years. But long journeys – especially abroad – where the kids aren’t draining their data streaming stuff that will keep them quiet made it better value than I first expected. Especially when it was good enough to dial into meetings by the roadside as well.