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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Best SUV for many reasons - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Gordon - February 9 - 11:36 pmA car or SUV can always say it does something better than some other vehicle. Its a collection of hits or misses that makes a car great though, and the Range Rover Sport Supercharged has more Hits than misses. This SUV is unbelievable to drive along winding mountain roads. Power is there whenever you need it and brakes are better than almost every other car our there This thing stops faster than my friends Mazda 3 compact car! I
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Bonatti Grey RRS SUPERCHARGED - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Tsai - December 27 - 5:53 amGreat vehicle, fun to drive, strong performance, great handling and turns heads everywhere I go. I have only had one consistent problem and that is a "Faulty suspension" indicator that keeps coming on and locking the vehicle in standard height. I have to then restart the car in order to get it to go away. Its finicky and can happen several times in a day. Other than that, one of the best vehicles I ever bought.
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Wow, Finally - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By tod - December 7 - 6:46 pmI finally found a Range Rover. I love teh sexy look. Just had to get one. Ride is great and unbelievable. Test drive and you will purchase it. I stil get a lot of attention even after two years of ownership. I love this truck. Drives comfortable like a luxury sedan.
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Well worth my money. - 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Sydney Klein - November 10 - 3:08 amI bought my 2015 RRS Supercharged after having so many issues with my 03 Range Rover. I was a little hesitant buying another RR after my nightmare 03 I had for so long. I bought the warranty (well worth it) to help out if anything went wrong. This SUV is an absolute beast! As you can see, I have the 5.0 Supercharged V8. The acceleration puts a smile on my face every time is step on the gas pedal. I sometimes have my sons friends in the car and they beg me to step on it for the feeling you get in your stomach. Its absolutely crazy! The seats are very comfortable and the heated/cooled seats are amazing. My two main complaints with this car is the navigation system and the brake dive. Navigation has almost got me fired from my job on multiple occasions (Im a sales executive for Hilton and work all over Los Angeles and San Diego). It constantly is leading me to dead ends and the wrong locations. The brake dive can just be horrible too. The car lurches, almost unsafely, forward when you slam the brake pedal down. I thought I was going to flip at one point. Those are my only two complaints about my car. I cannot complain about gas mileage as its a supercharged 5.0 litre V8, and I have a lead foot, haha. I get compliments on it everywhere I go and its truly cool to have that when youre just casually just filling up on gas. I love my car and do not regret buying it.
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Drives Great, Technology Lacking - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Duba3 - November 9 - 2:06 amThe RRS drives great but, having owned 4 previous Land Rovers, I expected that. This one is, by far, the quickest though. And, it looks great too. Now if the engineers can get the technology up to par with the competition, we would be all set. Case in point: the $2500 rear seat entertainment does NOT come with, nor can it be equipped with, wireless headphones. I usually put all after market entertainment systems in the Rovers but was told NOT to with this one due to integration with the cars computer. So, cmon guys, lets get a better audio screen and some wireless headphones. I know it can be done...I have done in my last 3 Rovers!!
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Incredible Automobile..... - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By uly48 - August 25 - 5:46 amPurchased the 2008 Limited Edition Sport and it is wonderful. Have over 12K miles already and have not had one (1) problem. It drives as well as any vehicle I have ever owned. SRT8,Audi RS6,Boxster. All were wonderful in their own right but there were really no comparisons.
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Sad to Go! - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By DCorey - August 17 - 2:53 amThis RRS-SC has been an excellent car. Time to turn it in and will miss it. The performance and all around cool factor of this car compensates for the back seat comfort, quirky nav system and cumbersome tailgate. This is my wifes kid hauler, but I drive it every chance I get. No problems with anything other than a window lift in the first month. If you want to drive an SUV with SWAG this is the one.
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So far, awsome! - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By RT - August 7 - 12:26 amI was really in the market for a V-8 SUV and have owned a 3.0L X5 for the last few years. I loved the new 2007 X5 look and on my way to order one last weekend I decided to check out the Range Rover Sport. One drive and I was hooked! What a ride! If you are thinking of purchasing a new SUV you must checkout the RRS! BMW has a great SUV in the X5 but the RRS was better in so many ways I could not pass it up!
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Spot On - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By jjs57 - June 13 - 11:03 amThis vehicle was bought to replace the Lexus GX 470, it is far superior to the Lexus and it a real pleasure to drive. They thought of everything, already own the Range Rover and could not be happier with the new body style and cockpit design.
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Hot hot - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By To Hot to Handle - June 6 - 11:26 pmThis suv can turn heads all day long, smooth, fast, sexy, Ive had mine 9 months and not a problem yet, also Im getting 15.2 mpg and driving hard.
