2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography
$63,525 base start, $103,435 as tested
We drove the all-new 2014 Ranger Rover Sport HSE last year and were impressed with its look, ride and interior quality. Its V-6 engine was spirited, but we wanted a bit more power. Along comes the Range Rover Sport Autobiography with a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic. With 510 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque, the SUV was robust and sure-footed on the highway, even on a recent drive through chaotic South Florida traffic. The four-wheel drive and the stability-control system kept the car under control, even in heavy summer downpours. The Rover sits high, so, without a running board, it was difficult for Lyra to get in and out.
The Autobiography package ($13,300) adds more to an already luxurious SUV: 21-inch alloy wheels, leather-covered console, red brake calipers, contrasting roof color, gloss-black exterior trim, Meridian surround-sound system, TFT virtual instrument gauges, blind-spot monitor, surround camera system, adaptive headlamps and aluminum interior trim (which has a fish-scale-like pattern). The cabin is quiet, and the ride is smooth — on the highway, anyway. Of course, because it's a Rover, there are different drive modes to handle different terrain. Peter liked the feel of this model better than some of the other Rovers he has driven — maybe the throaty V-8, electric-assist steering and stability control are just the right recipe for the 5,093-pound vehicle.
The SUV can hold up to seven passengers, three in the second row, two not-so-big people in the third row. The third-row seats power-fold down with the push of buttons.
Our tester had an exquisite Chile Red paint. The polished black trim and grille and black skid plates look sharp in contrast. The head and tail wraparound lamps were Art Deco-like. A final mention on lights: The door-mirror puddle lights project "Range Rover" on the ground in case you've forgotten what vehicle you're driving while in Gotham.
2014 Chrysler Town & Country S
$30,765 base start, $35,235 as tested
The long-dominant minivan is starting to look stale, as other people-haulers — even other cars in the Chrysler lineup — get spiffy new looks and upgrades. But for its price point, the Town & Country has a lot to offer.
Among standard features are a power lift gate, leather-trimmed seats, rearview camera, dual DVD entertainment system with second- and third-row VGA video screens, second-row power windows, power sliding doors, stowaway second-row seats and third-row tailgate seats.
The seating configuration is perfect for a busy family. There's no need to remove seats if you need more cargo space. The second row tucks neatly into the floor. We suspect this feature may be the strongest selling point for some buyers. The third row also folds down into the floor.
The standard DVD entertainment system was perfect for Lyra's family on a road trip as her young son reclined his second-row seat for a comfortable ride. The van also has audio/video connections for video player or gaming console. The leather seats were on the soft side, but not uncomfortable, even for long drives. The interior was on the plasticky side. (Peter remarked that it feels as if Chrysler is in a holding pattern while it figures out its minivan future.)
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and has 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Under hard acceleration, the engine handles itself quite well, especially in interstate driving. But we wish the fuel economy was better than the EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
2015 Kia Sorento SX AWD
$24,100 base start, $39,195 as tested
Sorry, there are no more long-legged models promoting futbol in the Kia Sorento commercials. Instead, feel free to drool over the sexy Dark Cherry paint, the long list of standard features and the comfortable ride.
Kia no longer plays second fiddle to its corporate cousin, Hyundai. Our SX tester's 3.3-liter V-6 paired with a 6-speed automatic was powerful enough for this seven-seater (290 horsepower). The crossover gets minor tweaks for 2014, with a revamped power plant with new engine choices and a stiffer chassis. There's also an improved infotainment system and better interior quality. The model we drove came with torque-on-demand AWD, which made for a planted and confident ride.
The exterior design remains mostly the same: wide mesh grille with chrome trim, tapered headlights with "eyebrow" LED running lights. The lower air intake is larger, and the fog lights are pushed farther back into the bumper. In the back, the taillights are LED. The chrome-integrated rails and 19-inch alloy wheels look sharp.
All but the base model get third-row seats, though they're not the most comfortable: You're basically sitting on the floor. The front- and second-row seats are comfortable, however, with good legroom. The cabin layout is simple, uncluttered and intuitive. Kia's UVO infotainment system remains one of our favorites for its ease of use. The SUV comes with blind-spot detection, but it doesn't help when trying to look out the back to merge onto a highway. Even though there's a sliver of a side window opening, the obstruction is significant. The attractive interior is a mix of materials. Still, some areas, especially the trim on the dash and door, have a budget look. The ride is mostly quiet; only the harshest bumps get your attention.