I thought some of you might be interested in a few observations from driving the L405 TDV6, the SDV8 and L332 TDV8. I own a 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE, drove a SDV8 AB earlier this year for a day and currently have a brand new 63 plate TDV6 Vogue SE for a few days.

TDV6 versus TDV8

- The L405 is lower and wider than the L332
- It feels lighter and turn in at low speeds is better as a result
- Interior is better except the window switches feel cheap (plastic) and there is nowhere to store sunglasses! The front middle box also loses some storage flexibility compared with the L332.
- MPG is similar to the TDV8 at around 30mpg on the same route over a couple of days
- Stop-start is a bit disconcerting at first but works reasonably well
- Engine is rough at start up but otherwise is reasonably quiet when touring
- It picks up speed well enough and is adequate with just me on board
- There is no curry hook! Combined with the lack of sunglasses storage, these are a must for the MY14 list of priority improvements

Engine/Dynamics:

- The SDV8 is noticeably slower than the TDV8 from take-off. If you do push on and up the revs then the engine is very diesel like
- The SDV6 rolls more in corners and wallows over B-roads in a very un-Range Rover like way IMHO
- It doesn’t ride the road surface as well as the TDV8 either
- Fully laden I would expect the SDV6 to feel slow and ungainly whereas the TDV8 doesn’t
- Not having the ‘Dynamic Response’ that the SDV8 does have fitted, makes a big difference to the TDV6.
- The SDV8 I drove remained remarkably flat around corners and was the biggest difference (improvement) compared to the TDV8
- The engine/exhaust sound from the SDV8 is pure V8 growl

For me the SDV6, although being very nice to look at, doesn’t provide the Range Rover experience I am seeking, so it will have to be a SDV8 with Dynamic Response when I change. MY23 D350 HSE
On my 7th RR plus various other JLR vehicles

Phil,

Thanks for taking the time, a very interesting write up. I initially decided to go TDV6 last year but I was in no rush. A year on, I am aiming to get the car by Mar 14 and I am glad I sat on the decision. The SDV8 sound is awesome and whilst the TDV6 is a great car, it does feel a touch light on power and the lack of Dynamic response makes a big difference.
Looking at the LR website, out of 102 FFRR 2013 to sell 80% are SDV8s so that's the core market. I thought the hybrid would be a potential interesting alternative but not for £4k more and no Dynamic Response acc. to spec sheet....
With EU6 coming into force in Jan 15, will be interesting to see how LR updates the SDV8 engine.

Thanks, interesting.

Got to agree, having had the benefit of a day behind the wheel of a 405, the TDV6 is best described as adequate and that's it, no bloody sparkle:-( a vehicle of this calibre needs ooomph. The power delivery just feels wanting - not the effortless drive of the TDV8

Just no substitute for cubes  4.4 TDV8 Vogue Baltic Blue MY11

L405 still to small for me (IMHO) on the front seats and i don't like cheap plastic....  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2021 AM new Vantage

I'd say the plastics in the L405 were generally a step forward - think how horrid the window switch panels, rear door ashtrays, sunglasses holder etc. are in the L322.

I'm afraid I didn't like it one bit. I was sat lower, the console was higher, windows seemed smaller, the overall impression was of less cabin space. Put that together with black seats, black dash, black door cards, black roof lining, no sun roof and black glass it felt very oppressive - almost like travelling in a coffin

no way would I entertain one in that engine or spec as an upgrade to a L322

The higher window line and console are a definite backwards step and I'd say the glass roof is a must-have. Certainly more car-like in the front.

Its was the high centre console that always put me off the old sport.

The beauty of the L322 is the feeling of space due to low consul and window sills compared to high seat command position.

End of an era but beginning of the new Classic L322....

PS: I think the 2009-2013 cars will be around for a long long time.

Keep saying it but the SDV8's will be the ones to go for and can see when the prices do start coming down to reality terms then the SDV6 will drop more as a result due to the lower spec and lower power.

May be good when they hit the £30k mark and they can get remaps with more torque on them and some silicone hose kits to help them live that bit longer with a nice alu FMIC

Oh and dont forget the cooled egr valves will be stuffed by that point as well so will need the coolant diverted from them and the egr's blocked off...

At least being a smaller engine it will be a bit easier to work on but should it do the Disco/SSRR thing and pop then i can imagine an engine swap will be a lot more pricey than the Disco/SSRR boys currently pay... FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.