Prince charming

While the full-size Range Rover that sits at the top of the pile has a stately, regal king-like air about it, it’s the Range Rover Sport that exudes youthful, prince charming vibes with its smaller footprint, more aggressive styling and sportier approach to the driving experience

- Dhruv Saxena

I’ve always liked the Range Rover. It’s stylish without being loud or in your face, the cabin feels special, it’s nice to drive and it has an unmatched air of royalty about it. It’s a car that seems fit for kings and queens, the rich and famous, ones who are at the top of their game. Personally, though, it isn’t exactly my type of car. I prefer something that feels younger, sportier, and something a bit bolder. The Range Rover Sport fits that profile. If the full-fat Range Rover is the king, then the Sport is the prince and that’s certainly more my type.

The styling follows the same principles of minimalism showcased by the new Range Rover, albeit with a slightly more aggressive undertone. For starters, it’s more compact and couple that with the relatively more raked A and D pillars and an ever-so-slightly sinking roofline, and the result is a more aggressive-looking SUV with a sportier stance. Those slim LED headlamps and tail lamps help further accentuate that design ethos. I’ve used the word compact above, but the Range Rover Sport is by no means a small SUV. It’s almost 5m long and just over 2m wide and, in fact, it has the same wheelbase as the standard wheelbase Range Rover.

It’s the size that plays a crucial role in giving it immense road presence, something pictures might not be able to relay well enough. There are no needlessly sharp cuts and creases, no massive grille. Forget restrained use of chrome, there’s a complete lack of it, at least in the spec the Range Rover Sport test car was sent to us. It’s understated with just the right amount of aggression and I don’t know about you, but it works really well for me.