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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Ignore what people THINK about reliabilty, and listen to what they KNOW - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By iloverrs - December 7 - 12:29 amI bought my Rover Sport HSE 2006 at around 40,000 miles, and now over 40,000 miles later, I can say this has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I still havent changed the brakes (and theyve got a good amount of life left), transmission shifts very smoothly. Never had a check engine or any issues. Remember, dont go cheap on your gas quality, and use synthetic oil. change differential fluid every 75,000 miles. Something very important to me is the fact it is chain driven, so no timing belt change is needed! tough suspension for offroading means very little problems regardless how many potholes you go through (youll feel every bump, but its made tough). Gold
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New From the Inside OUt - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Laureate2 - November 25 - 6:06 amI remember test driving the first Range Rover Sport, and leaving confused as to how they could name such a slow vehicle "sport." Finally the 2010 version earns the name. The 5 Liter engine provides plenty of punch which actually seems faster then the 7.2 0-60 listing. Even better, the interior finally looks and acts like a luxury vehicle. Big touch screen, leather & wood, keyless entry and the Ipod, USB docks. I just wish there was a little more differentiation between this one and its predecessor. Only a trained and peering eye picks up on the subtle styling cues. If youre on the fence about this car, have the salesperson take you on the off-road track. Youll be sold. Cheers
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FUN FUN FUN - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By bp - November 12 - 5:50 amTraded in a Volvo XC90 for this Sport and that was a great decision. Drives wonderfully and is a SOLID vehicle. Love the nav sys., sat. and voice command. British accent is so cool!
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RRS replaced my X5 4.4i - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By upstate NY - October 2 - 5:53 pmTest drove number of the high end SUVs including the new X5. All to replace my 04 X5 4.4i with all the toys. Selected RRS S/C in Black/Ivory. Very impressed with it - dont miss the X5. Drove it recently in heavy snow - it was better than my X5 was. Its also firm and fast on the open road. Its not cheap on gas - but then there are other brands that cost alot less that have worse gas mileage. Doing about 5mpg less than the X5 was overall. Didnt find it slow to heat up, nor difficult to aviod the heated elements in windshield. Controls are all easily reached. Great SUV - dont hesitate any longer!
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Surprisingly Happy!! - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 amI waited a year before this review b/c I too wanted to give a fair evaluation. My RRS HSE is white with a coffee or chocolate interior. I love this truck. First, if you were doubtful and have had a few probs, then why did you buy it? EVERY new vehicle with all the electronics will have degrees of problems. I had a few issues like some on here, but new it was the computer b/c it would be fine after it had been restarted (the truck), then LR had a computer upgrade and poof! No more problems at all. 12000 plus miles and riding great!! Its also the first time my husband asks to take my truck!! Service has been wonderful and glad I purchased my RRS.
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Wonderful 2010 RRS has crown waiting - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By RRS10owner - August 6 - 12:50 pmIve owned my 2010 RRS HSE Lux for about a week now. Im impressed. Its Santorini Black with the Black extended leather package, 20" alloys, HD/Sat. Ive owned many luxury SUVs but this one is special. I visited my dealer with the intent of picking up a 2009 full sized RR SC but after seeing the improvements to the Sport, especially the 2010 interior and the new engines, I was sold. Even talked myself out of the SC unit since the 375HP standard Jaguar based engine is fabulous. What an amazing vehicle, 500 miles to date and since reliability is always a question for these vehicles I should report that mine is perfect so far. Please be as reliable as my BMW/Mercedes and you will be king.
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First time to buy RR SC so far so good. - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By blkwheels - April 29 - 9:33 pmI was looking for the RR Sport SC when I bought my gl450 but was to nervous to consider LR due to neg reputation. They just kept catching my eye and when I drove it, I had to buy it. What a car! Love the look, cockpit feel, howling engine and how it rides. A part is on order for the pass side dual ac not cooling but for now Im loving every bit of my new ride. I only have 1k miles. I passed the gl450 to my wife. Which is also great suv but totaly diff than the RR Sprt SC.
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Horrible company who does not value their customers! - 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By hockey499s - April 27 - 7:16 pmIf you decide to buy a land rover, be prepared for all the extra expenses you will incur as they overcharge you EXTREMELY on every service or anything done to the car. Also be prepared to get one of the many FAULTY CARS land rover sells people and have to bring it back in for repairs constantly (in which case you will probably wind up driving around in a loaner car (if they even give you one at all) for a decent amount of the time you own/lease the vehicle, worth much less then the car you are paying for. Oh and most of all, be prepared to NOT BE a "valued customer". I clearly am not considering they still have me in a vehicle that constantly breaks down and wont do anything about it.
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A Need For Speed - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By WWOOSSH - April 25 - 3:20 amSo far this vehicle has been the best performing SUV I have ever owned. I thought my Cadillac CTSV was fast. But the Range Rover Sport Supercharged now sits in the garage where the CTSV rested. Kudos to Land Rover for an exceptional vehicle design. I only wish I could keep my wife from taking it when Im not looking...
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vibration. - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By a.ash. - March 30 - 11:26 amI love to keep it, But the dealer couldnt fix steering vibration for the fifth time, car factory adjustments is good for only 4 to 5 thousand miles, Ill try to call land rover again to get it fix. or call my lawyer.
