Can anyone confirm that the rear reclining seats in the SV Autobiography Dynamic are 'fixed' in so much as you can't fold them forwards like a standard L405?

Looking at the 5.0 SC AB's they also seem to have reclining seats.

On a standard vogue or VSE do the rear seats fold flat? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Pretty certain the SVA D seats are executive class which means they don't fold flat but do fold a little, take a look at this video which is for a LWB version so has the extra footrest but gives a good view of how they fold.

&t=19s 2021 P400 Silicon Silver AB
Gone 2011 Bournville TDV8 VSE
Gone 2008 Black Canadian HSE LUX

Many thanks Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

The video sort of covers it...but the seats are different in different model years, in the different wheelbase, and with different options. In my model '17 I've got the fixed seat squabs with powered backrests. The centre armrest is linked to the nearside seat, not separate so there are just 4 seat buttons in the boot to cover left/right up/down. On some the centre console is fixed like in the old Ultimate. On some the backrest part houses the headphones and RSE remote which looks useful ... but mine doesn't have that.

TBH its a totally crap design and function - LR fixed a problem they didn't have and made practicality much worse. Its never more convenient to hold a button for 30 secs to fold them rather than just manually release a clip and flap forward on the old system. And its very difficult to get the seatbelt stowed right so that its not trapped when you bring the seat back up - and as you're behind the boot holding the button it can become a two man job to get seat back up and the belt useable until you get the hang of it. IMO there's also no point in loosing the option of flipping the seats forward. Doh! The benefit I guess is several more motors to brag about. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

Thanks Mike.

So does the engine in the SVA outweigh the negatives overall?

Does it make a nice sound compared to a stock 5.0? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Oh yes!!

We all come from different places and want different things but overall, to me, the car is completely awesome. I love how hard it will accelerate (better then the 5.0SC). But its easier to drive normally/slowly as there's more pedal feel on the accelerator so will only leap forward when you really want to not when you just didn't think it was going quick enough and pressed very slightly harder. I love the sound - just how a V8 should sound, though still muted - very classy and way better than the 5.0SC. The only bit of sound I don't like is on start up when it overrevs and roars on its own and makes you sound like a complete knob as if you've done it on purpose to try to show off - it dies back down in a few seconds. Its a wonderful place to be - better than a L322 and better handling. Most of the toys are the same or better.

One downside of its comparative lightness (relative to a L322) and while still completely capable, towing heavy (car on trailer) loads you are much more aware that you are towing and its more sensitive to getting the nose weight right. But as an overall package for me, certainly the best yet! Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

Thanks for that info, very informative.

I’ve seen one that’s quite low miles but has already had 4 owners. It’s been service regularly at a main dealer but will now be due a service. The 4 owners puts me off as I know with SVRs they get lots of owners who want to rag them and move on without taking care of them, whereas I can get a 4.4 SDV8 with 1 owner from new Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Hmmm, very different beasts I'd say. By way of devil's advocate:

Low miles doesn't do it for me as it just means most likely London based and sat in traffic all the time or not used much - neither good for the car.

However determined the driver, I honestly doubt that its possible to properly "rag" an SVAD on an habitual basis. Its still a big old bus, so hooning around the twisties is not its ideal usage profile and I'd guess it would make you/passengers feel sick after half an hour with all the body roll etc if you did it. Accelerate hard to pass slower traffic or away from the lights if that's your thing - yes absolutely, but you'll be doing a ton+ in a few seconds and having to lift - its unlikely you'll be able to drive like that habitually and keep your license. So properly ragged....no, I doubt it.

I'm with you on the 4 owners thing. To me the risk here is that we all know that a few fatty's are lemons for whatever reason. So many owners in such a short time suggests to me that this may be one of them (and low milage may result from extended periods off road at the dealers). I think that's the killer fact.

The SDV8 is a very different sort of car - only you know if that would float your boat...however good an example it is. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

Well, my head ruled my heart in the end and I bought a D5 HSE Lux Dynamic instead.

Maybe next time! Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB