Hello All

Looking for opinions of anyone who's driven/owned both the Full Fat L322 TDV8 2012 and new shape (L494) Range Rover Sport

What Im looking for in a car:-

To be able to waft along in comfort and luxury. Won't need to commute nor take short drives around town (will have 2 wheels for getting around Sydney). Previous cars, 2009 BMW M3 Coupe, 2009 X6, 2006 S Class, 2010 Renault Megane RS250.

Will use the car for trips to different cities every month to visit family when I'm home from work.

Some days I keep looking at the L494 and some days the L322.

Really interested in hearing from anyone that's had experience with both

Thank you

Last edited by JKay on Sat Apr 18 2015 12:22am. Edited 1 time in total

I went from a 2011 L322 TDV8 Vogue SE to a 2014 L494 SDV6 HSE and here's what I think.

Starting with the basic stuff, the L494 feels smaller inside, despite being just as wide, with appreciably less rear leg room which might be a factor if you regularly carry adults in the back. The L494 boot is significantly smaller as well which again may or may not be a consideration. I must admit I miss the big boot of the L322. The interior of the L494 has received a lot of praise in the press but I think it is a bit plain compared to the almost art deco interior of the L322. A particular irritation for me is that seat heating/cooling controls, which were separate dials in the L322, are incorporated in the infotainment display on the L494. The infotainment system in the L494 is just as clunky as the one in the L322. The seats in the L332 are slightly broader than the L494 and to my mind more comfortable. There are fewer little storage areas in the L494, both in the interior and in the boot; L-R have skimped a bit on the details in the L494. One thing I really miss from the L322 is the sunglasses holder above the mirror

In terms of straight line performance, the 2 cars feel roughly the same with one major difference. The TDV8 engine in the L322 feels more lively at low revs and a particular annoyance in the L494 is the sluggish accelerator response when stepping off and when slowing to a crawl, say for a roundabout. You really have to anticipate this if you're going to join a busy roundabout

The 2 areas where the L494 scores is in handling and refinement. The L322 was a refined car but the L494 is even better which makes it an excellent long distance vehicle. The L322 didn't handle too badly for such a big bus but the L494 is way better even in non Dynamic form. In terms of ride, the L494 is good but not as good as the old L322 but I guess thats the price you pay for the superior handling

In terms of styling you can make your own mind up but IMHO, the L322 is a classic RR shape and the L494 isn't, at least not yet

One other point. The rear of the L494 gets dirty much quicker than the L322 in poor weather. I can't explain why

I like my L494 but I miss my L322 as well

Thanks Mike.

Great post and very informative.

Interesting to read that you find the L494 more refined than the L322, despite the L322 having a better ride.

Sorry but just another question, if you had to do a relaxed trip from Glasgow to Plymouth (ignoring luggage space and rear legroom), which would you choose, your L494 or old L322.

I understand the choice is ultimately mine but just curious what you'd choose having owned both.

Thanks

Jkay, I owned an L322 3.6TDV8 Vogue for a year from 2010 to Sept 2011 when I replaced it with an Evoque - at the end of March this year I took delivery of an L494 SDv6 HSE Dynamic. I agree with most of what MikeF says comparing the two cars.
I also drive 4-5 times a year from Glasgow to London and back. The L494 is lighter than the L322 and cruising comfort at 70mph is just as good even on the 22" wheels and skinny sidewalled tyres that my 484 rides on, what I have noticed most though is that the 494 just flies away when you want to floor it to clear bunched traffic and it also has brakes! The car that I had before the 3.6 L322 was a 2007 RRS TDv8 that had superb brakes, first trip out in the L322 and I nearly drove up the back of the car infront as the L322 brakes were pathetic. I have only done one London Glasgow haul so far in the L494, in the L322 I had a 100ltr tank and could make the run with plenty of range left in the tank................. the L494 only has a 77litr tank and on my trip north in March in the L494 I only just made it with about 10ltr left in the tank without a refeulling stop. I put it down to a tight new engine and since then the trip average has steadily improved into the high 30's and low 40's in local driving with fast A road blasting. On that first trip I averaged 29.9mpg at average 67mph.
My L322 rode very nicely on it's 20" wheels, the L494 is as good on 22" wheels but the car rolls less and handles much better than the L322 ever did. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Tim In Scotland

Thanks. Interesting to hear your opinion too. Most interesting that the L494 on 22" wheels rides just as good as an L322 on 20" wheels. I always thought the L333 would have ridden better regardless so that shows how much they have come along with the L494.

I'm going to try and arrange a back to back test drive, and see what feels best.

One question Tim, is your SDV6 the 700nm engine? That engine comes at a premium here (need to get dynamic pack with it) so any L494 I get would have the 600nm SDV6 engine

Thanks again

Yes J, I have an HSE Dynamic - I wasn't worried about the handling pack but I did want the low ratio/ transfer box so I can go offroading. What I really really wanted was the Onroad/Offroad pack with the e-diff................ but took what was on offer rather than have a 5 month wait for a factory order.

BTW, on the latest version of the LR configurator for 2016MY UK spec RRS's get the 700nm engine regardless of whether it's a Dynamic or not, so might be worth waiting if you are going for a new car rather than a pre-owned one. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Hey TimInScotland

As far as I kmow, here in Australia the only way I'll be able to get the 700nm SDV6 (knows as the HEV Here) I'll
Need to option the dynamic pack. I stand to be corrected tho.

You do make the L494 Soind very tempting

JKay wrote:

Interesting to read that you find the L494 more refined than the L322, despite the L322 having a better ride.

Sorry but just another question, if you had to do a relaxed trip from Glasgow to Plymouth (ignoring luggage space and rear legroom), which would you choose, your L494 or old L322.

Thanks again Mike and Tim.

Your feedback has been most helpful

Ps here in Australia I can never get much above 65 mph.

When I first moved to Australia from the UK I lost my license for a month for (apparent) speeding for doing 112kmh (Aroind 70mph) on a "highway" . Limit on this highway was maximum 80kmh (50mph)

Even the interstate highways will only let me do around 110kmh which is sleep inducing, but hey those are the rules here.

Rant over

Funny that JK, when i was last in the UK (in 2009) on business, I sat quite happily on 100 in a rented Merc and couldn't work out why everyone was going so slowly. Then, I realised.......

We are forced to drive like Nannas here, its pathetic. Good thing is that over here in WA, Radar Detectors are legal so my Valentine 1 saves me most of the time.

Lol I don't see that going down too well with the judge....

Agreed. Driving here has put me off anything sporty whatsoever. Saw a lovely Boxster GTS the other day and was tempted, but would be too frustrating here not being able
To open her up

Crikey, if you can't even enjoy the empty roads in Australia, what other possible reason could there be for wanting to stay there