Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: £30,010 to £58,130
Huge amounts of pulling power, smart looks, decent kit levels.
Ride is too firm; pricey; lethargic kickdown.
Understated bling might attract some buyers, but price isn't right.
Depress the R50's accelerator pedal to the floor and life becomes a vicious blur. The passage of time between 2,000rpm and 3,500rpm is satisfyingly short and you'll feel your head and back pressed tightly to the back of your seat as the R50 eats up the Tarmac. If you keep your foot in for another 1,000 revs for any length of time and you'll be heading for an endorsable offence.
Pulling power is unrelenting and actually unnecessary, but it spices up longer journeys and a short surge every now and then will keep you and your passengers amused/awake. The stats are pretty stark: 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 146mph - the same acceleration as Porsche Cayenne, but a slightly slower top speed at 146mph - the 4.8-litre Cayenne GTS top speed is 157mph.
What is frustrating about the R50, though, is the delay in kickdown. Press your foot to the floor and wait a while for the powertrain's reaction. Of course, once the auto 'box has made up its mind things progress swiftly, but it can be irritating particularly when you are trying to overtake on B-roads - you know the power's there, but the R50 want to have a bit of a think about it before it gives it to you. You can opt to use the manual shift, which makes a difference, but it is annoying that the auto is somewhat tardy.
The ride isn't that fantastic either. In auto mode the R50 can be a bit firm, and you'll feel most bumps. If you accidentally stick it on the cat's eyes you'll really know about it. On cornering, the R50 leans far too much - the Range Rover Sport and Cayenne feel much more assured. The R50 has Continuous Damping Control air suspension, automatic self-leveling and speed-sensitive height adjustment. There's a choice of three settings: Sport, Comfort and Auto. Auto's the best option and although the Sport setting will flatten the car on bends, the downside is a much more brittle ride.
Steering is positive, though, and the R50 is keen on turn-in, but you could never describe the R50 as agile: then again, it is a high-riding 4x4. You can increase the ride height if you are travelling over rough stuff and the hill descent control can be engaged for low-speed off-roading. In addition, you can switch to the low-range gear ratio for really challenging terrain.
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wrote on 26 09 2007