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My time was split between two highly refined vehicles in recent days, with the new S version of the Chrysler 300 getting the call for our annual Memorial Weekend drive.

The alternate was the handsome, rugged 2012 Range Rover Sport finished in firenza red exterior, with anigre wood trim on the center console and doors complementing the light-colored leather interior.

Next to an offroad course, a mountain road marked with twists and bends and climbs and dips brings the best from the Range Rover Sport. We found a suitable track in the hills west of Loveland; the Rover performed exceptionally. Its air suspension and adjustable driving heights gave us good handling, sure-footedness with little body roll.

The 6-speed automatic transmission initiates quick shifts from the 375-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine (a 500-hp supercharged model is available as a pricey option). The Sport has switched from a dial to a button design on the center console to control its terrain response system, which adjusts torque and suspension heights for highway driving, or for grass/gravel/snow; mud/ruts; sand; rock crawl.

The comfort and security of the 5,500-pound structure take a toll in fuel mileage – the Sport averaged 17.2 miles per gallon.
Lending comfort and economy to our Memorial drive to Wray and Sterling and back last weekend was the 2012 Chrysler 300S, a well-appointed full-size four-door sedan highlighted by radar red leather seats, 20-inch wheels and Beats audio technology.

Equipped with the 292-hp, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, the 300S averaged 25.8 miles per gallon for the 350-mile trip. A Chrysler 300 Limited, with the same power setup, averaged an almost identical 25.9 in similar type driving six weeks ago.
The addition of steering-wheel-mounted magnesium paddle shifters heightened driver involvement in the 300S.

It was out of the 300, though, that we engaged in a couple of nice visits, making the two-day drive more worthwhile.

The first, on Saturday as we were leaving the Sandhiller Restaurant at Wray, we noticed walking in the door Ron Parker of Centennial, and his son Jim. Ron and I were close friends at Wray through my first eight years of schooling, before I moved to Sterling for my freshman year of high school.

The next morning, Jan and I were on the walk around Columbine Park in south Sterling, when here came John DeSoto, 85. John is retired into town now after many years of a farming operation with his brothers out north. The conversation got around to cars, and I asked John, “So, did the longtime Logan County family maybe drive cars by the same name years ago?” Oh, John said, one time in the ’30s we bought a new DeSoto, and it was delivered out to our farm. It didn’t really catch on with us, though, he said, and we drove mostly Fords, both cars and trucks, from then on.

With all-wheel drive, the Chrysler 300S carried a base price of $35,820, which was boosted to a $43,210 sticker by the following options:
SmartBeam headlamps with leveling, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and cross-path detection, backup camera, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, power foldaway mirrors, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, power tilt/telescope steering column, power adjustable pedals, power backlight sunshade, heated/cooled cupholders, Garmin navigation system.

Also available with the Chrysler 300S is a 363-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and AutoStick, performance-tuned suspension and larger performance disc brakes.

Price tag on the 2012 Range Rover Sport HSE Luxury was $70,295, as much as $10,000 below the supercharged model. The Sport is one of three Range Rovers produced by Land Rover of Solihull, England. The others are the full-sized Range Rover and the new smaller Range Rover Evoque.

Notes from e-mail

Q: Thank you very much for making the 1930 Ford Model A connection with the old Stovall-Hilliker Ford dealership in Denver. This means a lot to me, as I restore here in Spokane (Wash.) the Model A, which was sold originally in Denver. My wife and I are planning a trip with the old car to Denver in a few years after I complete the restoration. When I bought the car, all the tires had cords showing. I kept the best tire for a spare; it has an S2 stamped on it, which means it was an authorized recap during World War II. – L.B.

A: Good luck with the restoration of the Model A, Leonard, and I hope we see you when you drive it to Denver.

2012 Range Rover Sport

$70,295

(price as tested)

MPG City 13 Highway 18

Vehicle type: Premium SUV sport

Wheelbase: 108 inches

Length/Width/Height: 188/78.8/70.4

Weight: 5,487 pounds

Engine: 5.0-liter V-8

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Fuel mileage: 16.8 mpg

Fuel tank: 23 gallons

Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles basic

Competitors: BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX56, Cadillac Escalade

Built at: Solihull, England

Parts content: United Kingdom 72 percent, Germany 12 percent

THE STICKER

$64,745 base

$2,700 Luxury interior, heated front and rear seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, cooler box

$1,650 Logic7 audio, 17 speakers

$350 Anigre wood trim

$850 Destination

PLUSES

Composed handling

Offroad capability

Luxurious interior

Terrain control

MINUSES

Fuel mileage

Rear-seat headroom