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:
Showing 91 through 100 of 185.00-
Loving my 2016 Range Rover Sport Td6 (Diesel) - 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Flaviu Budean - March 10 - 11:25 pmWhat a ride... Ordered my 2016 and was delivered in October. I totally love the truck. The efficiency of diesel engine is amazing. I get 26-27 mpg combined. This kind of milage per gallon is the reason why most SUV should be diesel. I do not even use the smart on/off technology because I believe that diesel engines should have a minimum of ON/OFF for engine. Truly for a person to be fully satisfied with this RRS, they have to get all upgrades possible. Audio is garbage for the money you pay if you do not upgrade to the Meridian system. But this is a small sacrifice that is made up by the way it drives even if you are like me, bough the car without upgrading to Meridian System. Overall I could not picked a better SUV. Very happy with it and my friends and family love it too, so now there will be other RRS purchases in family :)
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Perfect Compromise - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Madox - March 6 - 6:56 amIm not a fan of SUVs as a class and had to buy this one as the best compromise between performance, luxury, style and utility. The Cayenne is too awkward-looking and cheaply made inside, the BMW X5 is just an AWD car on stills, not an SUV (and too ubiquitous at that). Ive put 1K miles on my RRS, problem-free so far. Ride quality is superb. The steering is just right: easy but not overly so. Directional stability is impressive, feels like riding on rails. Build quality is excellent. Im glad I opted for the supercharged version with all the bells and whistles (DVD at rear including) in the limited edition trim, it does give you that feeling of being treated as someone special.
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Great but not yet... - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By bizking - March 4 - 7:50 pmThis is a GREAT SUV Ive ever owned. I have 13K now and got lots of service because of the "check engine light". But the problem is the they cannot find the reason for that problem. Hope next generation has much better reliability. But I think this is really great SUV especially in mountains.
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New Range Rover Sport HSE in California - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Randy - February 4 - 12:56 amI have about 2,000 miles on the new HSE. Terrific SUV. Previously have had Yukon, GMC Envoy, and BMW X-5 3.0. This vehicle makes the others look, drive and feel cheap IMO. Love the styling, the "Luxury Package" option is a MUST! Much better grade/quality of leather in the luxury option, as well as the "turning" bi-xenon headlights. Wonderful german-made ZF 6 speed automatic. Great air suspension ride. Also have this same supension in my Bentley Continenatal GT and Mercedes S55AMG. Makes THIS S.U.V. drive like a car, not like a truck. IMO, RIP-OFF $130 for injection molded plastic "cradle" that you MUST have to mount the Nokia phone to this model! I love this SUV!
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Cool Ride - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By PANOMARK - January 24 - 4:33 pmGreat ride on the road and get lots of complements. Very comfortable and I love the looks. Not easy to lay down the second seat due to front seat leaning back to far. If you dont need lots of room in the rear, its a great vehicle. Compared to the BMW, much more practicle and will keep its value.
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Supercharger in Samana - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By tonysamana - January 23 - 7:51 amI live in Samana, Dominican Republic. A region with lots of mountains and dirt roads. I come from Toyota diesel Prado, then Volkswagen Touareg diesel, then BMW x6 diesel and after that the LR SS. Changed the BMW into a LR because the X6 is to low for the sandy roads here in Samana. Bought LR new in sept 2010, model 2011. Changed tires from 40-45 for the roads here as well. Very comfortable car in al ways. Always and very suffucient power. Offroad nothing. Totally shit. And maintenance you can not imagen. At this moment second time in garage for changing the suspension system and connections. And the funny part, now out of the guarantee, after 51.000 km.
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This car meets all of my high expectations...so far! - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By polarbearmike - January 19 - 12:35 am1. I love driving this car. I am 62" and weight 230lbs. I am uncomfortable in 95%+ of all cars I sit in. Some of you will understand this. 2. The new standard 375hp V-8 is super smooth and faster from 0-60 than all 17 cars I have owned minus a 911 and a Mini Cooper S. The sport mode is really not necessary, but if you want to beat 29 of 30 cars off the line, sport mode is available to you. 3. The nav is noy super hig tech, but it works well and the is easy to use once you unlearn your old nav system. 4. The interior of this SUV is of a very high quality. It is my favorite. Even better than a MB E320 I once thought could not be improved upon. 5. I feel very safe in this car. 6. No regrets.
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best car ive ever owned - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By vanessa - January 14 - 12:53 pmthis is the best car ive ever owned. ive had 6 of the largest range rovers and switched for fun. it is a ball and everything its advertised as. great car!
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So far so good - 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By New RR Owner - December 24 - 5:23 amFinally broke down and bought an RR- SC. Great power, confort and ride. Nice features tho the nav system could be more intuitive but love the 3d look. My 5 year old nephew said it best "this car is freakin awesome!"
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The Ultimate Rover - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Gary A. - December 20 - 9:20 amThis vehicle performs incredibly on any road conditions.Very responsive both in steering, handling, and breaking. I traded in my LR-3 to get into this vehicle. Although the same engine, RR Sport handled better and felt lighter (though RR Sport is about 500 lbs. lighter).The interior is impecable and with the ease of control access in ergonomics and voice activation.I do miss some of the LR3 features such as the additional cup holders located at all side doors and center console.Additionally,the ashtray pullouts in the Sport are limited to only one which cannot accomodate coins.I really enjoy my RR Sport. Get this vehicle with the luxary and cold climate package.It looks cheap/dif without it.
