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 ride - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By skelly8 - July 9 - 9:45 pm

  Bought used with 33k miles. Subaru driver needed a Schedule 179 vehicle for tax purposes. Averages 19 mpg on my commute, 21.5 on a run to Palm Springs down Hwy 5. Love the ride, sound system, navigation, turning radius. Does everything without drama. Freeway on ramp merge speed? No problem, put in sport mode and it winds to 7000 rpm like NOW and you are flying. Want to climb an impossibly steep trail? No problem, put it in low range and up you go. Brakes feel like you threw out an anchor. Big control knobs and buttons fit my stubby fingers and just feel right. I love this rig.

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  Unbeatable at almost any price - 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By expatbrit - July 1 - 5:19 pm

  The Range Rover Sport is not cheap; with the V8 engine and top-end Meridian audio, mine was all but $100k on the road. But you get what you pay for - stunning performance, great handling, the best driving position of any car Ive owned, and a luxurious ride that can go anywhere ... and Im getting 18 mpg in stop-start motoring.

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  Best of all worlds! - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By BGreig - July 1 - 3:43 am

  I traded a Mercedes S500 and gained a vehicle that handles just as well. Great fun to drive, with the off road capability I needed for recreation. The engine is a dream, and the sport shift works amazingly well to match gear to speed or allow manual shifting. The sport seats provide lots of support, and the leg room is sufficient (I am 64").

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  I still love it after 33K mi. - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Emmett_III - July 1 - 3:43 am

  After 33K mi, I have had zero problems. My only visits to the dealership are for the free maintenance included with the purchase.

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  Look Forward to Driving - 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By ss68 - June 8 - 6:30 pm

  This is our 1st luxury SUV. We sat in a number of them at the Chicago Auto show and had made up our minds before driving it. The dealer let us use one for the weekend and it sealed the deal. Also had a auto show discount going on. So far we have put on about 2000 miles and have not had any issues. The stereo is amazing.

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  I love the RRS supercharged - 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By joeygrouper - May 15 - 2:26 am

  I just picked mine up in July, I love the interior but agree the refrigerator needs to go. The supercharged engine is an awesome experience to drive. I havent experienced anything falty with the car yet, but I do have a defect in the wood grain that runs along the left of the center console. Its very noticeable and the dealer agreed to replace that part. My range is metallic black with black upgraded leather package seats and ebony stitching (piano black wood). I sueded my head liner with high quality suede. I would recommend to anyone wih this car to suede the headliner, it makes all the difference in regards to the interior ambiance. Style 7 20 wheels, all in all great ride.

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  Best Range Rover Sport Ever! - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By sobemen - May 12 - 2:00 am

  A superb vehicle. Fantastic response and handling

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  Better than ever expected. - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By Razor - March 31 - 9:46 pm

  I had previously owned an LR Discovery and wasnt too thrilled with the design or performance. I thought Id never own another LR until I saw the Sport. I had to see it. Then had to drive it. Then had to own it. The car is incredible. Most nimble SUV on the planet and with classy style to boot. Plenty of power, interior space, and creature comfort features.

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  vroom vroom - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By oohmali - March 30 - 3:16 pm

  Awesome ride! Superior handling on city streets. Had somewhat of a slight inconvenience occur while out shopping. Had to FOLLOW the culprits. They were driving a Chevy Impala (Pursuit Package). I was driving my RRS. This baby gets UP!!! I was highly impressed with the performance of this sweet SUV. Only problems have been the reverse tilt-mirror feature activates on its own on some occasions. The suspension warning light occasionally activates and will not allow me to change the height of the vehicle without turning the vehicle off and then restarting it.

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  Dont buy a RR Sport - 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  By larry - March 15 - 3:26 pm

  Have owned the vehicle for one year and driven approx. 20k miles. Have had it in the shop 8 times for numerous issues, some still remain. Asked if they would replace or purchase the vehicle and get me out of my nightmare, with no success. Problems with vehicle include brakes, parking sensors, suspension, sway bars, tires, power mirrors, not starting, transmission sensor, engine lights, rattles, etc. Will never own another Range Rover, period.