RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE Td6 IS A DIESEL SUV THAT YOU CAN EASILY LIVE WITH

Though it has not been true for quite some time now, the notion that diesel-powered vehicles have to be some smoke-belching, soot-scattering, valve-clacking machines still insists in some circles.

At the very least, some skeptics maintain, the diesel versions of today’s cars, trucks and SUVs may still be found out because of the steady clicking of engine noise diesels emit from under their hoods.

But that perception changes with the diesel version of Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport.

New for 2016, the Land Rover Range Rover HSE Td6 is so quiet that the car jockey who dropped it off in my driveway recently took the time to point out that it was indeed a diesel, lest I make the mistake of pulling up to the wrong pump for a refill. Nothing about this more than capable and versatile SUV hinted any of the diesel ills of the past (like the dirt, smoke, and noise). No emissions problems here.

But you still get the kind of high-torque, fuel-saving performance diesels are known to deliver in a very attractive overall package.

The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (hence Td6) under the hood of the HSE Sport is rated at 254 horsepower at 4000 rpm and a hefty 443 pound-feet of torque available at a low 1750 rpm. It has impressive fuel economy ratings of 22 miles-per-gallon city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, a nice boost from the 17/23/19 ratings for the gasoline version V6. (It’s also offered with a V8 that put horsepower and torque figures over 500 hp/ft.lbs., respectively, and rated at 14 mpg combined.)

Theoretically, that means with a fuel tank of 23-plus gallons you could travel in the diesel Sport over 650 miles without a pit stop. (I say theoretically because, of course, there are other reasons for stops along the way! No need to go into details.)

And you’ll make the trip in comfort and quiet. Except for the powertrain, the Td6 version is prettymuch like its gasoline powered cousins, including coming with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is standard, of course, and, like every Land Rover, it’s as much at home taking on off-road challenges with its two-speed transfer case as it is negotiating pavement.

As the $72,000-plus price tag for the Td6 would indicate, the Range Rover HSE Sports falls in the luxury segment, and despite its ruggedness, it doesn’t fail to deliver there either. The cabin features high quality materials arranged in a simplistic, yet stylish manner. If anything, designers have good too far in eliminating some control knobs for the audio system, which makes changing radio stations frustrating at times, but they did have the good sense to leave knobs for adjusting the A/C.

The front armrests for the driver and passenger are adjustable, and with just one or two in the back, the backseat passengers can have the convenience of a fold-down rest with two cupholders. The HSE Sport also is available with third-row seats, but not on my test model. Reviewers note they are cramped, which isn’t all that surprising. Land Rover says they are for children.

Cargo space behind the second row is 27.7 cubic feet. Folding them more than doubles capacity to 62.2 cubic feet, and you can access that via a power liftgate that includes a kick-to-open feature (not literally; you just wave your foot under the side of the bumper with the key somewhere on your person).

My test Sport was a 2016 model with equipment included Oxford perforated leather seats, dual zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, front and rear parking aids, 20-inch wheels, Xenon automatic headlights with LED signature lighting, rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, trailer stability control, lane departure warning, a sliding panoramic roof, wi-fi, premium audio, a two package, and Land Rover’s Terrain Response2 system. With the $995 destination and delivery charge, the final tab came to $72,945.

So put away those doubts you may have had looking into a diesel because of the bad publicity from the scandal involving VW and falsified emission tests. You may find it’s exactly the balance of comfort, economy, and performance you’re looking for in an SUV.

What I liked about the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6: It’s just the right size. It does the job of a bigger vehicle but handles like a smaller one.

What I didn’t like about the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6: Operating the infotainment system can be frustrating, especially when trying to use voice-operated commands. I found it hit and miss (especially miss). It can be a little tricky getting into it, at least from the driver’s side. If you put your right foot in first and then hoist your backside into the side, you may find yourself bumping your head. So put your head in first, then step in.

Would I buy the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6: Yes. 

NEW JAGUAR XE SEDAN TAKES ON TOUGH ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY SEGMENT

With an out-of-town trip coming up, my last ride of the year was one of the newest cars on the market. I’d say there’s a kind of symmetry about that, a rarity in my usually disorganized life.

The car was the 2017 Jaguar XE sports sedan, which the company calls a “true driver’s car” in adding it to its lineup last spring. The company expects big things from it in a very competitive segment that long has been dominated by German manufacturers Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. In other words, a tough market.

Early sales results put the XE right in the middle of the company lineup behind its new F-Pace SUV and its XF midsize sedan and ahead of the F-Type sports car and XJ full-size luxury sedan. But it still trails the Teutonic bunch. (All the numbers are available at http://bit.ly/2i1eWMH if you’re interested.)

The new XE comes with a choice of three engines with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder serving as the base. It is rated at 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. If that is too meek for you, there’s also a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 that increases those numbers to 340 and 332, respectively, trimming zero-to-60 mph time to 5.1 seconds from the 6.5 in the base.

I was provided the 20d trim, which is a diesel power-plant. The 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel provides lots of torque (318 lb.-ft.) and provides top-of-the-line fuel mileage of 32 miles-per-gallon city, 42 highway and 36 combined, according to EPA testers. The gasoline versions are 21/30/24 with rear-wheel drive and a mile per gallon less with all-wheel drive. (Frankly, I’m not sure how the government came up with the same numbers for the 2.0L and 3.0L engines, but the mysteries of how the feds work (?) is a topic above my grade.)

Each of the models (20d, 25t, and 35t) is available in XE, XE Premium, XE Prestige, and XE R-Sport trim levels that carry respective MSRPs running the gamut from $34,900 to $51,700.

The 20d Prestige model I had for the week was listed at $46,395 including the $995 destination and delivery charge. Included in that were some no-charge options — satellite radio, white metallic exterior finish, and a “Vision” package that included Xenon headlights with LED signature lighting, high beam assist,  front and rear parking aids, and blind spot monitor system.

The standard equipment included 10-way power adjustable front seats (4-way lumbar) with leather surfaces and driver memory settings, keyless entry with push-button start, moonroof, rearview camera, navigation, InControl infotainment system, and a premium sound system.

The 8-speed automatic transmission is operated via a dial that rises up from the center console when the engine is started and features a Sport mode as well as paddle shifters for manual gear selection. The JaguarDrive Control system offers the option of various settings to enhance performance with the dynamic setting providing sportier performance.

And yes, there is also a start-stop mode to reduce fuel consumption when idling, though you can turn it off by pushing the button on the console. But you have to do that each time you restart the engine.

All in all, the bold, distinctive exterior and the classy, eye-pleasing interior makes the 2017 Jaguar XE a must for anyone shopping in the segment, especially those who want to stand out from the crowd.

What I liked about the 2017 Jaguar XE: It has a distinctive look and character about it. Putting in destination information for the navigation system was easy enough, though some of the other functions are a bit more fussy to operate.

What I didn’t like about the 2017 Jaguar XE: The road noise seemed a bit excessive at typical expressway speeds. (But there was no wind noise at all.) The voice commands on the navigation system were a bit on the excessive side. Do you really need to be told that in 3.2 miles you should “continue straight” on the route you are on?

Would I buy the 2017 Jaguar XE?: Probably, but I would like to drive one of the gasoline versions. The diesel engine had kind of a low, bass sound that made it seem like it was laboring at times, which, with all that torque, certainly wasn’t the case. But it was the feel I got with it.