Auto News 5

I chauffeured two of my colleagues on a two-hour drive to West Branch, Michigan, piloting the Range Rover Sport and I could not have been happier. The interior is sumptuously luxurious but not so plush as to throw any sporting intentions out the window. The car's design -- both inside and out -- is tastefully restrained, clearly showing its premium Range Rover roots without being overly flashy. Yes, a faster processor for the infotainment system would be appreciated, but there were no "play with me" dials or touch pads and zero "look at me" trim bits. Also just right is the RR Sport's size -- it's neither too large nor unwieldy, and it isn't too small as to not feel reasonably substantial on any road surface. The 5.0-liter V-8 has a sonorous burble and sounds wicked under heavy throttle. Better yet, the V-8 is matched perfectly with the six-speed automatic, which is silky smooth and nearly imperceptible in its shifting. Best of all, the RR Sport comes with the prestige of the Range Rover name while still undercutting its V-8-powered competition from Porsche and BMW.

In the final days of February, our 2012 Dodge Charger faced its first big road trip: a quick run to Michigan's Upper Peninsula that called for 1100 miles and 18 hours of driving in two and a half days. Extra seat time -- both on the long highway run and closer to Ann Arbor -- has led several staffers to deliver new praise for the Charger in the third month of its stay.