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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Great SUV - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Rob - August 19 - 9:26 amWow own a 2008 RRS and this is so much more of a truck...Can;t say enough good things run dont walk to buy one.
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awesome drive - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By jenni - June 21 - 11:43 pmthis is truly the most incredible vehicle i have ever driven. when you drive it you do not want to get out! However, It drinks alot of gas. Awesome car!
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Hot SUV - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Ron Panna - June 17 - 2:03 pmReplaces a ML 320 with 100K+ mileage. Also own a VW Touareg V-8. Love the RRS S/C. Looks great, rides & handles like as Sports Car and performs pretty close to one also. Interior is as luxurious as they come and the Brembo brakes speak for themselves. Just a really great ride. Wife is primary driver and an aggressive driver, she is as impressed as I am with this vehicle. Would recommend it if you are willing to trump up to to this price tag for an SUV.
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excellent early experience - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By happy - May 26 - 3:13 pmI have had the vehicle for just over two months and 3000 miles. I have been a long time SUV owner(14 years; five other vehicles), most recently in an FX 45. I spent considerable time "shopping" the Land Rover, BMW and Lexus vehicles. This vehicle was far and above the superior in the group. Recently took a 1200 mile trip with the family and found the vehicle to be quite comfortable and a pleasure to drive. At this point I would highly recommend strong consideration of this vehicle.
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Rose with a thorn - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By S. Colson - May 24 - 11:53 pmBought my supercharged RRS loaded, including factor DVD and adaptive cruise control which were options I really didnt have much interest in. Factory DVD system requires headphones with wires, but...they dont come with this $70k+ vehicle. Adaptive cruise control makes interstate trips a real joy...set your cruising speed and forget about putting your foot on the gas pedal or brake. Transmission downshifts around town for this heavy SUV take a toll on gas mileage. Seats are adjustable, but still a little too firm. Acceleration and exhaust note are great. Lots of looks and compliments on this red beauty with 20-inch wheels. Wife loves it too!
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Made the switch and love it! - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By sanswooper - March 25 - 6:36 amAfter 10 years and 2 Toyota Landcruisers I was looking for something a little smaller, but with all the bells and whistles. The 2010 RRS has it all! Extended leather opt gives it as good a fit and finish as any MB, Caddy, or Lexus. Ride quality is definitely sporty and European, but not at the expense of luxury, and the exhaust note is aggressive but subtle. Surround camera system is a bit hokey until you need to parallel park in a tight spot. After a year and a couple dozen test drives the 2010 RRS beat the competition. Ive had it for a month and still tell people I like better the more I drive it.
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Great SUV, but gas mileage is bad! - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By njacks12 - December 31 - 11:50 pmThe Range Rover Sport Supercharged is a great SUV. It is everything you would wish for, except the gas mileage. First you have to use premum. Then the engine is a v-8 so it burns a lot of gas which I dont like about my Range Rover. Everthing else is excellent!
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2006 Range Rover Sport HSE Review - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Aaron Yeung - December 7 - 10:36 pmThis has to be the best vehicle Land Rover has come out with. The engine (4.4L) and transmission are improvements from the 4.4 and 4.6 L engines of the Land Rover Discovery II and IIa (1999 to 2004). The smooth ride rivals that of the Lexus GX470. The interior is well-appointed.
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New purchase - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By kungpao - September 7 - 11:20 pmGorgeous car to drive and very luxurious interior. My favorite is the body style. I looked at several other luxury cars and when this version of the Range Rover came out I was enamored with the price point and I already owned a Land Rover Discovery so I traded it in for this one. Body style really mattered to me so I loved this when it came out. After all the bells and whistles/dvd/rear entertainment/aspen leather/bluetooth/navigation/heated seats etc...It came out to be 63k. It could stand to be a bigger as far as the rear cargo area is concerned, but if I had wanted the LR3 I wouldve had to give up the rear body style and it was just too boxy for my taste.
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Road Runner - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
By Racyldy - August 11 - 6:33 amThis vehicle is like driving on a cloud. Its smooth, comfortable, wraps around the driver and seems to float. It corners well, shifts very smoothly and will turn around on a dime. The gas economy is not wonderful but a fair trade for the safe and secure feeling it provides. Ive had it on an off-road adventure and it really taught me what the vehicle would do. I would take it anywhere...in comfort!
