I own a 2010 TDV8 and cannot see how much better an L494 or later model can be.
Mine is quiet, has reasonably power, has no squeaks or rattles, wind noise is minimal, cruises easily at 160km/h with adequate overtaking power on top of that.
I have owned the vehicle from new and it has only let me down once, the alternator failed.
Of course the newer models will be slightly better handling, more fuel efficient but I cannot see how they are substantially better driving vehicle.
My vehicle was serviced from new by my local dealer for the first four years of ownership (during which I had numerous problems - not necessarily vehicle faults). For the last 10 years I have looked after servicing the vehicle myself changing the oil, oil filter and brake pads - nothing else.

It's the classic conundrum - even if the newer vehicles are objectively and subjectively better, are they better enough to justify the not-insubstantial cost of changing. A 2010 isn't going to be worth very much even if sold privately but to replace it with a much younger vehicle is going to cost quite a bit, relative to the value of the 2010. If the subjective improvements are worth that cost to you then it's worth doing. If they aren't then it isn't. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Without a doubt the L494 is an improvement in all departments, but you have to decide on the cost/benefits. 2023 P440e SE Dynamic on order -cancelled

2022 HSE Dynamic P400e

2017 Discovery 3.0 HSE Silicon Silver Nimbus interior and a few extra toys SOLD

2013 HSE Black, Orkney Grey, Ebony Seats and Ivory Interior SOLD

2006 HSE

Plus a few other cars inbetween!

It might be considered a downgrade in terms of practicality for some - the under-seat storage in the L320, for example, is very useful and something I will miss when I eventually leave the L320 behind. Likewise rear seats that fold to give a true flat floor for carrying bulky stuff, tip runs, etc..

And the biggest issue for many of us is the move to ever more touchscreen-only access of essential functions. That's isn't a RRS-only issue, of course, as it's industry-wide.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I had a 2012 AB Sport before my L494 and certainly miss a few things about it. I would say it was quieter, had 2 glove boxes, rear seats fold totally flat, storage under the rear seats (not much) the parking heater had a remote control rather than a stupid app on my phone, I liked the rotary gear shift change thing. The L494 is much faster, a tad more economical I think, has more toys like HUD, park assist (even though I’ve never used it) and lots more things that I can’t remember. I’m glad I changed from old shape to new but still have fond memories of my old one. I’ve seen L494s now for £10k so a lot of car for not a lot of money.

Hi,

I’ve had five Sports now (see list below).

Each one has (luckily) dropped just after a new model or facelift.

Each one has been better than the last - my latest L461 D300 AB being the best one yet.

Yes, there are the odd thing from previous one’s that could have been carried over ( dual view TV) but nothing that was a deal breaker.

Scrumps Somerset - Where the apples do grow and the cider do flow!
2021 Defender 90 D250 HSE in Tasman with white roof.
24MY D300 AB - Verasine Blue - 😀
19MY SDV6 AB - Byron Blue - Gone
17MY D5 SDV6 HSE - Firenze Red - Gone
16MY SDV6 AB -Aruba Silver - Gone
13.5MY SDV6 "HSE Black" - Baltic Blue - Gone
10MY TDV8 HSE Galway Green - Gone
14MY D4 HSE in Scotia Grey - Gone
05 TD5 D90 CSW in Cairns Blue

Yes I get all of the points above better packaging, more toys (most of which are useless). But in terms of the engine/driving smoothness, low-speed handling dynamics, etc are they that much better. I doubt not.

My car does the school run each day and goes shopping. Average speed less than 30km/h. The V8 just rumbles in the background - its not quick but then its not slow. I have driven a lot of diesels of other makes and they rev their tits of even under light throttle - why. I have had V8 Landrovers for the last 40 years. In my view if it doesn't have a V8 it's not a proper Range Rover.

Folding the back seats is nice but you have to move the driver's seat almost fully forward to make it work so that is virtually useless in most circumstances. You need to be a contortionist to drive with the rear seats down.
Room under the rear seats - There is a boot why do you need it.
Dual view TV - WTF, it's a car.
HUD - Can't people read speedometers.
Park assist - For people who cannot drive.
Heater - Never gets used - It doesn't get cold here.
Fuel consumption - Not an issue - Depreciation is a bigger cost.

When I got my last set of tires, the guy who owned the store took my vehicle out for I drive (they had problems with the wheel alignment and getting the steering wheel straight - a must have), his only comment was, that car is so nice to drive I wouldn't mind driving it all day long.

And last but not least the L494 and later all look like Hyundai's and KIA's

Afternoon folks, Just returned to the Range Rover fold after a brief flirt with Audi. I come with a word of caution. Picked up a 2021 Sport HSE Dynamic in as new condition 2 days ago. so im sat in the car with the engine running getting familiar with all the toys and its time to finish and go inside. Before i have a tracker fitted i thought i would utilise a steering wheel lock for a bit of secuity so i fitted it and removed the key. Time to go so press the start button to stop engine which immediatley motored the wheel upward and broke the windscreen with the arm of the steering lock. To say im sick is putting it mildly.
Lesson learned.

Ouch - so sorry for you. Hope the new windscreen fix all goes smoothly

Meiang wrote:

I have had V8 Landrovers for the last 40 years. In my view if it doesn't have a V8 it's not a proper Range Rover.

Quote:

Folding the back seats is nice but you have to move the driver's seat almost fully forward to make it work so that is virtually useless in most circumstances. You need to be a contortionist to drive with the rear seats down.
Room under the rear seats - There is a boot why do you need it.

Meiang wrote:

Yes I get all of the points above better packaging, more toys (most of which are useless). But in terms of the engine/driving smoothness, low-speed handling dynamics, etc are they that much better. I doubt not.

My car does the school run each day and goes shopping. Average speed less than 30km/h. The V8 just rumbles in the background - its not quick but then its not slow. I have driven a lot of diesels of other makes and they rev their tits of even under light throttle - why. I have had V8 Landrovers for the last 40 years. In my view if it doesn't have a V8 it's not a proper Range Rover.

Folding the back seats is nice but you have to move the driver's seat almost fully forward to make it work so that is virtually useless in most circumstances. You need to be a contortionist to drive with the rear seats down.
Room under the rear seats - There is a boot why do you need it.
Dual view TV - WTF, it's a car.
HUD - Can't people read speedometers.
Park assist - For people who cannot drive.
Heater - Never gets used - It doesn't get cold here.
Fuel consumption - Not an issue - Depreciation is a bigger cost.

When I got my last set of tires, the guy who owned the store took my vehicle out for I drive (they had problems with the wheel alignment and getting the steering wheel straight - a must have), his only comment was, that car is so nice to drive I wouldn't mind driving it all day long.

And last but not least the L494 and later all look like Hyundai's and KIA's

I take your points on all the issues raised but I also have a Honda Civic which is 19 years old and all I have ever done is oil changes, it has more useable room than the L320 RRS, is more fuel efficient, handles better etc etc but it does not have the V8. In fact none of your vehicles have had the V8, just the V6 so you have no argument or experience that the L494 is a much better vehicle.

You are correct, well spotted.

I have no experience what so ever with running a Sport with the V8 engine. The only experience I have is with the 2 full fat RR V8's that my wife ran for pulling her horses around with when she had them.

Oh and I would argue that point all day long on the usable space between the Civic and the 320, its that usable space with the fold flat seats that prevents me from getting rid of it. 2023 D350 FIRST EDITION, SANTORINI WITH CLOUD/EBONY
2024 DEFENDER D250 110 HSE APACHE
2009 2.7 TDV6 HSE SANTORINI BLACK


GONE
2020 RRS P400e AUTOGRAPHY
2018 3.0 SDV6 AUTOBIOGRAPHY, CARPATHIAN GREY, SANTORINI PAN ROOF, IVORY INTERIOR. Now gone but will be missed, Cracking motor.
2015 3.0 SDv6 HSE DYNAMIC CORRIS
2014 3.0 SDV6 HSE FUJI WHITE CONTRAST SANTORINI PAN ROOF.
Evoque 2.2 d Pure Tech Auto
P38 4.0 HSE
Disco 2.5 d XS

I've still got my L320 and there's no doubt in my mind that it fits our lifestyle better than any of the subsequent models. As you've all said, folds flat in the rear plus, I'd add that the load height is far better (lower) than the later cars. Much better for the dogs.

Also, its a 5.0 S/C V8. I've owned it for nearly nine years now. This one replaced our 4.2 S/C V8 so, I've been driving little else since around 2008. If you've got dogs or go to the recycling centre a lot, nothing beats this model apart from the fuel costs but, it does go like stink! The L320 is complex enough but, with those Ford era electrics, I'm a little more confident of it than later models. Once I replace cam chain tensioners, all the bushes and the rear ACE pipes, other than the rotting side steps, it will be like new again and ready for another few years. I'm sure that list will grow. Isn't that half the fun of running them?

I can't imagine that the later car does it any better really. Cheers,

Stuart.
RRS 2012 HSE 5.0 S/C Zermatt Silver.
RRS 2005 4.2 S/C First Edition Rimini Red- Gone but not forgotten
Defender 2005 TD5 XS Black - Gone
Freelander 2006 HSE Blue - Gone

I agree with most of the above on L320 vs L494. The 494 feels like an upgrade in quality and refinement, it’s quieter, the trim is higher quality and the ride quality is massively better. The 8sp is a step up from the 6sp, particularly in manual mode. The stereo is much better, sat nav is actually usable.

The L494 is a step down in practicality, despite being bigger outside, it seems smaller inside. The l320 is easy to get a bike in - fold down the seats, open the boot, put bike in. With the l494 I have to take the front wheel off. It’s short on stashing places for items that live in the car, like most people here I miss the storage under the back seat. My l320 typically has a tow strap, magnetic trailer lights, socket set, spanner’s and shopping bags under there, plus ratchet straps under the boot floor. L494 doesn’t have space for those. Yes, there is a boot, but this is stuff that needs to live in the car, doesn’t get used everyday and I don’t want sliding around under hard braking.

I don’t like the handling on the l494 as much as the l320. The steering feel is much better on the l330, the l494 has the numb electrically assisted video game feel and is much harder to place on the road as a result. While crashy, the l320 handles better, the 494 rapidly gets out of shape if you’re pressing on down a bendy road without it in dynamic mode. In dynamic mode it’s better but still doesn’t feel as glued to the road as the l330. Maybe the svr is better, I might try one next, but right now I’m toying with a rs4 instead of the l494.

And yes, they both have v8s.