Can anyone help?

Anyone owned/driven both the supercharged 5.0 L320 and L494 Sports?

I've driven D3/4's, L322, L405 and the new Defender. But never really had chance to try out the Sports properly.

I'm working on a budget, but I see that the 5.0 s/c models have dropped in price a lot recently, to the point that an early L494 might be doable.

I'm aware of the on paper technical differences between the models. The L494 is bigger, but slightly lighter and uses the same platform as the L405/new Defender/Disco 5. So I'm guessing will drive quite similar.

While the L320 shares a platform with the D3/4, albeit a shorter wheelbase.

Dynamically I'd expect the L494 to be superior in most areas and with the 8 speed box has a noticeable impact on 0-60mph compared to the L320's 6 speed box.

But I must say, I do much prefer how the L320 looks. And its more compact dimensions.


So how do they stack up to each other? Can they waft and cruise similar? Is one really that much better to drive quickly? Would it be a mistake going for one over the other?

The L405 I've driven is a 4.4 TDV8, so not a supercharged one. But it went ok, but there were a number of things I wasn't so keen on. I worry that an L494 would be very very similar.

Cheap to buy, not so cheap to run L320 Range Rover Sport 2008
3.6 TDV8