Range Rover Sport HSE 2012

The Range Rover has been around for quite a few years, and it’s aged gracefully. It’s heavy, it gulps gas and it’s pretty expensive. But with it’s sophisticated air suspension, it’s one of the most comfortable rides you will ever experience and it’s a blast to drive.

The power lift gate with adjustable height opening is a new for 2012. The bi-xenon headlights are super powerful. The LED tail lamps are a work of art.

This is a five-liter V8 that cranks out 375 horsepower. It will scoot you to the country club, zero to 60 in six and half seconds. Here’s the downside. Look away from the average miles per gallon. It gets 13 city and 18 highway, and it drinks premium. You can opt for a 510 horsepower engine too. This beautiful knob is connected to a seamless six-speed transmission.

The Range Rover comes standard with full-time, four-wheel drive and a terrain response system, which allows the driver to select the type of surface he or she is traveling on like rock crawl or mud and ruts. Most owners of this capable off-roader will never use all this stuff. But trust me, it works. The navigations system is a little quirky and slower to respond than some of the newer systems available.

This Range Rover is gorgeous. The leather feels and smells amazing. The aluminum bits look thick and the wood trim is beautifully done. I can’t say enough about the great fit and finish.

As mentioned, the majority of people who own a Range Rover will only appreciate its road prowess while navigating a pothole on the way to the golf course.

Driving this nearly three-ton vehicle in the city, a country road or highway is pure bliss. You really do get what you pay for. In this case, you’ll pay about $70,000 for quality, luxury and safety.

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Mike West has been on the air in Seattle for more than 30 years as part of Seattle’s best morning show teams. He also did mornings on KLOS Los Angeles for a little over a year before returning to Seattle. He currently hosts Breakfast With The Beatles every Sunday morning on CBS Seattle station KZOK, 102.5 FM.