Overview & Reviews
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a premium SUV that represents a shift in focus for this SUV-oriented luxury brand. While traditional Land Rover models have combined unbeatable off-road performance with the amenities of a luxury sedan, the Range Rover Sport represents Land Rover's entry into the burgeoning high-performance SUV arena. It is designed to offer sporty road manners and traditional Land Rover luxury without completely sacrificing the go-anywhere abilities of other Land Rover models.
Despite its name, the Range Rover Sport is actually a modified and shortened version of the old Land Rover LR3. Certainly, it's an enjoyable and luxurious vehicle to drive as well as look at. But shoppers seriously interested in getting maximum on-road performance out of an SUV would probably be better served by a few of this Land Rover's competitors, as they are able to deliver better acceleration and handling.
Current Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport is offered in two trim levels, both featuring 5.0-liter V8s. The HSE model produces 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque, while the Supercharged model's V8 develops an impressive 510 hp and 461 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
Handling performance is a definite step up from other Land Rover models. The Range Rover Sport is the first Land Rover to offer the company's Dynamic Response suspension system, which is standard on the Supercharged model and optional on the HSE. Land Rover says that this computer-controlled system senses cornering forces and automatically adjusts the antiroll bars to optimize body control and handling. Dynamic Response works as advertised, giving the Range Rover Sport a more agile feeling when the roads get twisty, as compared to previous Land Rovers.
Off-road performance is still within the Range Rover Sport's repertoire as well. A permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case is standard, and features an electronically controlled, infinitely variable locking center differential that automatically distributes the available torque to both drive axles as needed. Additionally, the Range Rover Sport's Terrain Response System assures that the driver will be up to nearly any off-road task. It offers five different settings that adjust throttle response, gearchanges, vehicle ride height and the differentials to optimize mobility in varying environments, ranging from pavement to sand.
Land Rover is also synonymous with luxury, which doesn't take a backseat in the Range Rover Sport. Just about any premium feature that you will find on most luxury sedans, or any of its luxury SUV competitors, is available on the Range Rover Sport. The same holds true for safety items, with the usual complement of airbags and electronic crash-prevention aids.
Unlike the Sport's older cabin design, the current RR Sport offers the sort of ambience its big Range Rover brother has been renowned for. Occupants are surrounded by supple leathers, rich wood trim and top-notch materials, while the dash design is not only visually appealing but easy to use as well. As always, though, the Sport isn't as passenger-friendly as its Land Rover siblings. Headroom can be at a premium, and the backseat is best suited for two people.
We are impressed with the Range Rover Sport's dual-natured capabilities on and off-road. Its 5.0-liter V8s provide the sort of power this hefty truck requires, and the cabin yields the luxury its well-heeled customers deserve. However, besides the above concerns, there's also the matter of its thirsty fuel consumption and Land Rover's poor record for reliability.
Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport Models
The Range Rover Sport debuted for the 2006 model year and is still in its first generation. However, there are notable differences between the current model and those made from 2006-'09.
Originally, the HSE was equipped with a 4.4-liter V8 that developed 300 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. The Supercharged model was equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 that, logically, employed a supercharger to produce 390 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. However, the relatively high curb weights put a damper on performance and fuel economy for both models. Both engines were backed by a six-speed automatic transmission with different tuning than the current model.
The original cabin was more akin to the cheaper LR3 in design than the top-dog Range Rover. Its center console was a mess of little black buttons, which felt cheap, looked alike and were harder to reach than they should've been. Prior to the 2012 model year, Range Rovers also suffered from outdated and unintuitive audio and navigation systems. Recent updates have remedied those issues.
User Reviews:
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RRS S/C 4 ME!! - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By midwesting - November 1 - 4:00 pmFast,nimble,handles like a sports car with true off road ability that few other SUVs can match. Chose the RRS S/C over the Cayenne and could not be happier. SIRIUS,Bluetooth,NAV,active HID headlights,headrest monitors with DVD changer,heated seats - completely loaded. Gas mileage needs improvement but I didnt buy it for gas mileage.
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Sporty, Luxury -- Fun to Drive! - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Rick - October 24 - 4:50 pmThis vehicle is mostly just simply a lot of fun to drive. It handles great (for an SUV), feels solid and tight, looks great (you can judge for yourself) --- and wraps you in luxury and more options than I can count. The sound system is outstanding - the best I have ever had in a vehicle (including high-end Mercedes). This is my first Land Rover product and I have been very impressed by the overall quaity of the interior and exterior fit and finish, and the overall feeling of sportiness and luxury. Also, it is actually very spacious on the inside.
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This is a great Rover! - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By JJF030 - October 2 - 11:36 amAfter owning 2 LR3s and 2 X5s I upgraded to the RR Sport. This is a great SUV, and is truly king of the mountain. Dont be deceived by the scary reliability ratings, Ive had more trouble out of Lexus and BMW products. The vehicles are sometimes quirky, but the issues are small and infrequent. Plus the dealer is great to work with and always gives you a Rover loaner. Plus, this is the best looking SUV on the market. I have never had so many compliments. I would recommend the RR Sport to anyone that appreciates a refined luxury SUV.
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The Ultimate Luxury SUV - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Flash G - September 5 - 11:53 amI traded in my 1997 Range Rover 4.6 HSE for the new Range Rover Sport HSE. You get the best of both worlds with the Range Rover Sport: The classic Range Rover styling and off-road capabilities coupled with the performance of a luxury sedan. The design of this vehicle is very upmarket. It is a handsome car. The interior quality is excellent. I have the very rare upgraded "Ivory" leather and cherry wood which looks much more opulent than the darker "Alpaca" and standard black "Ebony" interior. It looks and feels like a fine British coach. (I do wish the seats had darker piping like the big Rover.) Excellent power, handling and ride. Electronics are top notch. All A+
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Love the car - Hate the constant service needs - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By bucky5412 - August 26 - 5:29 pmIve put 37,000 km on my 2010 Range Rover Sport mostly driving 6 hours to my cottage in Quebec. Fantastic driving experience as it is heavy and a very comfortable ride - and attractive. The Harman Kardon sound system is the best Ive heard in a vehicle. It is very difficult to criticize the driving experience. The drawback is the numerous service aggravations which have motivated me to sell it prematurely. For a vehicle of this quality with 50,000 km, it has been in the shop far too many times.
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My baby buoy!!! - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By maria - June 7 - 11:30 amI traded in my 05 ford mustang gt.For this 06 range rover sport. At first when i saw this vehicle it was love at first sight! To ever think i could afford a vehicle like this was just unimaginable. The ride, safety,and looks are out of this world. This is the best riding vehicle i have ever had and this makes 29 cars in my life time. We love it so much we thought of buying another one. For my husband. The horsepower is also 300 like the mustang so i didnt loose that.But the room is worth the trade. The options my range rover sport has is incredible too. Love the navigation system.The lights that move as you drive.Thats a plus too.This vehicle is the best! I cant rate it high enough! I just love it!
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One was not enough - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By RovX2 - June 1 - 4:36 amWe bought our Sport in Sept. for me. The ride is smooth and the pick up is excellent. I love our car, but my wife loves it more and I couldnt get her out of it so that I could drive it. So we just bought her one also. Two is definitely better than one.
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Luxury at its best - 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By 08m3_12rrs - May 8 - 10:09 amI purchased the RRS for my growing family. The drive quality is awesome. We looked at the Cayenne, X5, & Q7 and though all of these had great attributes the RRS took the cake. We wanted something that was going to give us the luxury of the Cayenne with the build and reliability of the X5 & Q7. The RRS has everything that you could ask for we opted for the HSE LUX which provided just what we needed not going into the Supercharged. That was too much for the wife and with owning an M3 we didnt need that for our family. If youre looking for luxury, reliability, and presence on the road this is your vehicle; plus it makes you feel very safe.
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RR Sport SC - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By platnim - April 4 - 11:43 pmI was hesitant to trade in my M3 for a family car, but have been extremely pleased with my RR Sport SC. It has more than enough power/performance at any speed to satisfy, has the ability to travel in any enviroment, seats five and has the "park it in the front" apeal to the valet parkers anywhere I go in sin city. Who could ask for more?
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Roving Rover - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By John Paul - March 24 - 11:03 amI cant say enough about how pleased I am with my Sport SC. Great fit and finish iside and out. Better than the 1997 full size Rover I owned which treated me well. I own a Vesuvius Orange and it turns heads wherever I go.
