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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  Gorgeous design - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By kungpao - June 28 - 1:20 am

  Yep, I am a gal that owns the Sport and I absolutely dig this car! Of course the gas mileage can be an issue but other than that and a few other issues: the tailgate is a little heavy for me to pull down, there isnt a lot of room for stuff in the center console (girls need room for stuff!) and the steering wheel blocks the odometer panel so that I am constantly having to look around and through it to see the stats etc... Now for the positive stuff! Design is incomparable! This is a beauty on the exterior and I got the total package so my clients can feel comfortable when viewing property. (Im in real estate). My kids love the dvd and surround sound, its killer! Buy it, you deserve it!

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  Wow! Amazing Best car I ever owned - 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By coldenny@yahoo.com - April 22 - 8:01 pm

  This car is amazing! Ive owed this now for 18 mouths and put on about 26,000 miles on it. Truly a total package. Very fast, ride is smooth and exciting ! I receive unbelievable gas miles On my hour commute to work which is 50 miles one way I can average 26 to 30 miles per gallon. This is mostly highway driving at highway speeds. Think about that a 500 + horse powered 5500lb car getting these kind of numbers! Everyone that I take for a ride is super impressed. I also Live in snow country never an issue !

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  My supercharged rover! - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Rick Respicio - April 4 - 1:40 am

  Its been a month now since we got our RR Sport Supercharged and it has been and still is and will always be "FUN TO DRIVE"! If you dont mind the gas mileage on this baby then you should take a look at this SUV. I checked out the competition and this became my choice of toy. Overall, I give high remarks on the FUN FACTOR, Performance, Overall Design, Quality, Creature Comforts, etc. Maybe they should rename this car and badge it as "Range Rover SuperSport"! ;)

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  Very nice SUV - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By chris - March 28 - 3:56 am

  There are only 2 brands of SUVs in the world, in America there Jeeps and in the rest of the world there are Land Rovers. Sophistication meets true 4x4 ability, the one aspect all other SUVs lack. Truly refined luxury, solid, and fun to drive. This machine makes you feel good driving it. Thank God Ford made a better engine, my disco was weak in the power area and this machine is a powerhouse. Its not as interactive as a BMW, where all the electronics almost know what you want and everything works together, but it is a wonderful machine in its own rights. Yes, even a 2008 Tahoe has more "stuff", a X5 is more electronically advance, and some have more room, but this is an amazing SUV!

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  The best - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By smith - March 19 - 3:43 pm

  This land rover is just like its older brother but is more sportier in the inside and out. It delivers the best quality performance you would like in the price range for this SUV. During the test drive, we went on a 70 degree angle which I thought we were going to tip but the sales lady assured me that these cars were made to do this off road activity and give a sporty atitude at the same time. Its not very powerful, I would compare the power to a BMW X5 3.0. However the Supercharged is very powerful like the X5 4.8. I give this car an A+ in all its capabilities and performance.

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  Knee Problems but overall great car - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By flipper8 - March 9 - 7:56 pm

  Leased my RRS 2 weeks ago, and have found that the combination of the driving position/ accelerator pedal position and accelerator pedal stiffness is causing a lot of knee pressure and discomfort. Feel like I am developing knee tendinitis. This is the only drawback about the car (but a major drawback) as I enjoy the look and ride of the vehicle a lot.

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  Looks Great - Poor Quality - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Jon - January 22 - 8:06 am

  This car is FUN to drive! There is no question about it. The exterior lines of the car are beautiful. The interior craftsmanship of the car are well appointed. The options and some of the gadgets (GPS/Satellite Radio/Climate control etc) are very basic in style and function. If you compare other cars in the same price range, Rover comes up on the short end of the stick for what you are paying for with how things were not integrated into a central console. The car has been in the shop over 3 times for an "ECU" related issue and has spent more time in the shop than on the road w/me driving it. If you want the prestige of owning a Rover its fun to drive, be prepared for headaches that can come

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  got the replacement, still suspicious! - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By rdnyc - January 18 - 3:30 am

  Got my HSE in June 05 and had nothing but problems since day one culminating in total suspension collapse at 50 mph. Dealership replaced car and have so far done 4k miles without a problem. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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  Supercharged about my Supercharged - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By p - January 11 - 9:43 am

  I love this truck. I looked at, and drove, virtually every high-end SUV on the market. Nothing came close to the RRS Supercharged in terms of style, ride and power.

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  Rover Sport-Totally Unreliable - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By EMannis - January 1 - 11:16 am

  Bought the RR Sport Brand new in April 2006. This vehicle has been in for service for major issues. Has been towed 3-4 times, major service problems 5-6 times. If you buy a RR Sport be prepared to trade it after the warranty is up. I have been driving for 30 years and owned several different vehicles both domestic and foreign. I have never had problems like I have encountered with the Range Rover Sport. I was warned but didnt listen.