If you’re looking for an SUV that’s sporty and one that handles well off-road in mud and snow, along with great traction on unsurfaced roads like gravel and sand, then the 2020 Range Rover is worth a closer look. A good off-road vehicle should have exceptional traction on all types of surfaces – including wet pavement. You can get that and much more with the Range Rover Sport SVR.

One driver exclaims that the 2020 Range Rover SVR is the only off-road-ready SUV on the market that is fun to drive and extremely capable for hugging those twisted mountain roads so common in canyon landscapes. We take a look at what this test drive expert from TheSmokingTire experienced when he took this sport Land Rover through steep ravines and rough, off-road paths. A road trip like this can really put a car’s suspension system, ground clearance heights, and weight distribution to the test. 

Range Rover SVR Impressions

Exactly what makes a car fun to drive can be purely subjective. An SUV that can attack hills without hesitation may bring a rush of adrenaline to some drivers. For others, an SUV that can travel gingerly and as slow as possible to overcome off-road obstacles in addition to moving with agility and power to scoot up a mud-covered hill would qualify as driving fun. Then for many others, a casual cruise luxuriating in a high-quality interior may be essential to experiencing true driver happiness. The 2020 Range Rover may be the answer to one of the most legitimately fun SUVs you can drive!

“I love how it looks, I love how it feels to the touch, and I really like how it drives”, remarks TheSmokingTire test driver. The reviewed version of this Range Rover Sport features a supercharged V8 engine comes with 575 hp, 516 lb/ft of torque, and of course, all-wheel-drive. With a base price of $114,000 for the SVR, the road-tested version contained about $15,000 in options. These include the driver assistance package, sport adaptive suspension, and some upgraded interior appointments.

The driver easily careens around curving roads as the engine roar suggests a more powerful, super-fast auto. The tires are very meaty at 295/22s – which makes them as capable off-road as they are on the road. This SUV isn’t trying to be a sports car, the heft and solid feel of the car gives it a luxurious feel. He also noted how much more leather was included in the interior, such as on the lower glove box surfaces and lower door panels.

Still an Off-Roader

Once the driver exited the paved roads, the fun really kicked in! Pulling off-road, the Range Rover’s settings were changed. But first, you must decide which setting is best. Off-road choices include Mud and Ruts, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow. Choosing the latter, the driver began his hustle through an off-road canyon trail. The dirt and rocky trail were not the most difficult, and even though your basic cross-over could manage through the same terrain – you simply won’t have as much fun doing it.

Not only could the driver the exceptional suspension system smoothing out dips and humps, doing it surrounded by a luxury interior made the trip well worth it! The combination of both sports car features and off-roading features is what makes driving the 2020 Range Rover SVR a seriously fun drive! The full touch screen is automotive grade. In theory, it should last longer and they operate better in temperature swings. As this test driver ends his off-road ride, in his opinion – “I love looking at it, I love driving it, I love sitting in it. It’s so comfortable. It’s so fast…my friends love riding in the back of it and it holds all my stuff. It’ well-rounded enough to deal with any task you throw at it!”