Despite the reliability woes we love the Range Rover Sport

The previous Range Rover Sport wasn’t based on the Range Rover Platform and wasn’t sporty in any sense of the word. The new one is all of the above and more.

The two 3-liter supercharged six-cylinders pump out 340hp and 380hp, there’s an optional 3-liter turbo-diesel six-cylinder pumping out 254hp while the top of the range 5-liter supercharged eight-cylinder comes in both 510hp and 550hp. We’ve driven the 3-liter supercharged six-cylinder engines in other Land Rover products, and we adore the turbo-diesel engine. However, with the Range Rover Sport we were only able to get our hands on the 5-liter supercharged eight-cylinder pumping out 510hp. The words sluggish will never exist in your vocabulary when you’re driving this version of the Range Rover Sport. It quite literally leaves a smile on your face and there is never a dull moment when behind the wheel. What we enjoyed the most about the Range Rover Sport is how easy it is to drive around town. The steering feedback is where it should be and it doesn’t wallow about or shimmy over rough surfaces. It’s great that despite being such a heavy crossover, it doesn’t feel as daunting to drive as the Cadillac Escalade we’ve driven. It really doesn’t make much sense that engine stop/start technology is fitted to this vehicle; it doesn’t really make much of a difference in running costs. But the most important aspect of it is that it’s not as annoying as the ones you’ll find in BMW and Mercedes.

The Range Rover Sport becomes a totally different beast when you take it out on the highway. The eight-cylinder engine emits a lovely snarl that’s met with acceleration that’s blisteringly quick and doesn’t feel overpowered or out of its depth. What we enjoy the most about driving the Range Rover Sport is how comfortable and secure it felt, and if you do dare to tackle corners and bends you can do so because the suspension can handle it. We personally didn’t get the chance to do that but we did get to drive on some light off-road trails and the grip is where it should be. It has so much high tech features that you won’t get stuck, and even if you did get a little too adventurous, this Range Rover lives up to the reputation that Land Rover has set for their vehicles. It’s good off-road as it is on road.

The driving position is spot-on good. The seats give you a commanding view out and are all-day comfy. The second row is comfortable as well while the optional third row seat is best left for small children. We wouldn’t even bother opting for it unless you really need it. The Disco and Disco Sport are much better options if you are planning on carrying more than five people.  The boot space is quite generous when you have the second row in place, fold that seat down and you’ve got a nice cavernous crossover that can also handle whatever you throw at it. The infotainment system in this Range Rover we had was much better acting that many of the Land Rovers we’ve tested. It wasn’t as slow but it did take forever to power on after a system reboot and of course the electrical issues did jump right in to ruin our fun. The memory setting for the power steering failed, which resulted in the steering wheel being in the lowest setting possible. It make the drive to the nearest dealership quite awkward, then the easy-exit feature for the driver’s seat failed which left the seat so far back that neither one of us could reach the pedals. The auto high beam headlights kept getting confused with lightly shaded areas and insisted on staying activated. The parking sensors did fail when we were trying to squeeze out of a narrow parking space and overnight the optional alarm system kept ringing off every five minutes when it rained.

Our Range Rover Sport came fitted with 22-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof and red Brembo brake calipers. Adaptive bi-xenon headlamps were fitted as standard as well as premium leather seats and a premium audio system. It’s great that many of the safety features that helped making driving the Range Rover Sport easy were fitted on our tester car, but it still is only optional and does make it quite an expensive proposition, especially if certain features you’ve got to have. We just warn you that you will have to pay the premium for them.

The Range Rover Sport can tarnish off-road trails and on-road pavement with finesse. It quite literally is a jack of all trade. You have an opulent and refined interior with performance that can shame some BMWs and Porsches. It really does live up to the ‘sport’ in its name and is well worth the short-list if the X5 and Cayenne are crossovers that you are considering. However, the electrical issues we experienced with the Range Rover Sport during our 4th of July road trip makes us think twice about spending the money on a product that could potentially spend way more time in the shop than on the road, but damn does it look smashing!

Likes: Strong range of engines with elegance on-road and off-road. The commanding view out and comfortable seats make it light years better than many of its competition.

Dislikes: The electronics decided to take a holiday.

Our pick: We’d stick with one of the 3-liter supercharged engines or the turbo-diesel.

Land Rover (Range Rover History)

1969 - Prototype Range Rover Velar

In order to keep the prototype for the first-ever Range Rover a closely guarded secret, the designers and engineers behind this revolutionary new vehicle gave the top-secret prototype the name ‘Velar’ and even fitted the first 26 prototypes with a badge of the same name to disguise its identity. The name Velar was derived from the Italian word ‘velare,’ meaning to veil or cover.



1970 - First Production 3-Door Range Rover

Following the successful testing of the Velar concept vehicle, the first Range Rover was revealed to the world. It was met with widespread critical acclaim, thanks to a rare combination of capability and elegant design. It was the first vehicle to deliver permanent 4 Wheel Drive and feature split tailgate, clamshell hood and continuous waistline.



1981 - 4-Door Range Rover

After 11 years on the market, the Range Rover Classic was made available as a four-door vehicle, giving greater options to the vehicle’s ever-growing fan base.



1994 - Second Generation Range Rover

More luxurious than its predecessor, the design accents of the second-generation vehicle – such as the iconic silhouette and the introduction of rectangular headlights in place of the circular ones – have stood the test of time, making the vehicle instantly recognizable to the present day.



2001 - Third Generation Range Rover

Ever evolving, this Range Rover was the first to be built with a unibody. The design inspiration for the hull was taken from the tapering of the Italian Riva speedboat, while the pulleys on the luxury yacht prompted the metallic finishes inside the vehicle.



2004 - Range Stormer Concept

The Stormer concept car would become known for showcasing the future design direction of the Range Rover, as well as the bold approach to the adoption of new technology within the vehicles.



2005 - Range Rover Sport Production

The introduction of the first sports SUV in the Range Rover family showed the Land Rover commitment to performance. Engine options included a Supercharged 4.2-liter gasoline engine which delivered rapid performance. The Range Rover Sport also offered cross-linked air suspension, giving drivers optional ride height, which optimized comfort and 4x4 driving, on- and off-road. The varying height was one of the many distinctive new features which reflected the dynamic performance in the appearance of the vehicle.



This cross-coupe concept vehicle was an ambitious and progressive step for the Land Rover design team. Targeting drivers who would rarely go off-road, the concept vehicle still retained the legendary capability of Land Rover while housing an interior dubbed as ‘futuristic’ by the press.



2011 - Range Rover Evoque Production

Named ‘Car of the Year’ by numerous outlets, the Range Rover Evoque made a splash as soon as it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2010. Many features seen on the LRX concept vehicle made their way into the luxurious cross-coupe, including the fresh interpretation of the classic Range Rover design.



2012 - Fourth Generation Range Rover

The fourth incarnation of the Range Rover was the first to feature a lightweight all-aluminum body and was instantly recognizable due to its long wheelbase and floating roof. The vehicle also featured the next-generation version of the Terrain Response® system developed by Land Rover. This in-built driving technology automatically selects the best vehicle setting for the terrain.



2013 - Range Rover Hybrid

The first hybrid of the Range Rover family not only delivered improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, but most importantly did not compromise on capability. To prove it, the vehicle embarked on a 10,000 miles journey from Solihull to Mumbai via the ultimate off-road driving test: the Himalayas.



2015 - Range Rover Sport SVR Launch

Engineered to deliver a high-performance SUV with optimum power, the Range Rover Sport SVR was the first to be produced by the Special Vehicle Operations Team. As the fastest Land Rover model ever, the vehicle offers an unforgettable drive. Its thrilling experience isn’t reserved only to anyone behind the wheel – in fact, the vehicle’s power is reflected in design features such as the quad tailpipes and unique rear spoiler.



The pinnacle of refinement and luxury, the Range Rover SVAutobiography redefined the Range Rover experience. Attention to detail shows in the Brushed Aluminum finishes and the executive seating in the cabin. On the exterior, a unique choice of color palette ensured drivers were getting the ultimate luxury experience synonymous with Range Rover. The SVAutobiography Dynamic was introduced shortly after, and with its distinctive design and powerful V8 engine, the vehicle’s stance reflected its power and agility.



2015 - Range Rover Evoque Convertible

The very first convertible Range Rover, the Evoque Convertible, combined the capability Land Rover vehicles are renowned for but introduced a Z-fold roof, all while maintaining the strong visual stance crafted by Land Rover designers. The result is the world’s first premium compact and most capable all-terrain 4x4 convertible SUV.

From the top-secret Velar concept vehicle to the first ever Range Rover Evoque Convertible, the evolution of the Range Rover is clear. Never compromising on capability, the luxury SUV continues to set the bar in car design, capability and performance.



A new addition to the Range Rover family is revealed. With its compelling clean lines and visionary design cues, the Range Rover Velar promises to deliver an SUV with the same effortless capability, luxury and refinement expected of all our vehicles.

(Used) Land Rover Range Rover Sport (Review)

Photo provided by M93

The Range Rover Sport isn’t your typical Land Rover. Of course there is the legendary off-road capability and the unmistaken Land Rover looks. What makes the Range Rover Sport so different is the fact that it adds a splash of sport to your typical Range Rover, but is this a good thing?

Performance: There are two engines to choose from, a 5-liter V8 producing 375hp and a supercharged version of the 5-liter V8 producing 510hp. Picking between the two depends on the depths of your wallet. The non-supercharged V8 does a well enough job of propelling the Range Rover Sport around with no difficulty, while the supercharged form offers effortless acceleration.

Ride & Handling: The Range Rover Sport isn’t a sports machine and the hefty curb weight will suggest that. However, driving the Range Rover Sport on twisty narrow roads, you’ll instantly forget that this is a large heavy sport utility vehicle. Handling is good while ride comfort is also very posh and comfortable.

Refinement: There’s virtually no wind and road noise to complain of with the Range Rover Sport. The eight-cylinder engines emit a lovely snarl that sounds contagious when pushed hard on an open highway. The supercharged version sounds almost like a jet plane which is a welcome add to the overall driving experience.

Practicality & Space: If you want a sport utility vehicle that makes you feel like king of the road. The Range Rover Sport will do just that and will do it very well. The driver’s seat feels more like a throne, with oodles of support and adjustments to allow drivers of all sizes to get comfortable with ease. The instrumental panel is fuss free and is very easy to navigate. Rear passengers will enjoy plenty of legroom and headroom. The boot is also very spacious and roomy.

Equipment: The Range Rover Sport comes well equipped no matter what trim you choose. However, the higher the trim levels you climb the more expensive your Range Rover Sport gets. The HSE trim comes with Xenon headlamps, navigation system, 20-inch alloy wheels and full leather interior. Supercharged version offers high performance brakes, sporty exterior trim and of course the silky smooth supercharged engine.

Buying & Running cost: Buying a Range Rover Sport isn’t a cheap proposition. The base trim starts at $60,000 which will be good enough for most buyers; the mid-range adds $5,000 more with a luxury package. Top of the range adds the supercharged engine and few extras for a higher price tag of $76,000. You’ll need deep pockets for running costs, as the eight-cylinders both are gas guzzlers. The supercharged version guzzles gas as fast as it accelerates.

Reliability: The Range Rover Sport interior has many soft touch materials that feel high quality. They look and feel long lasting. However, the biggest question that still remains is reliability. Land Rover’s reliability record is very spotty, long term reliability of the mechanicals and electronics is still rather iffy.

The Range Rover Sport really is a great sport utility vehicle to own. The interior is very well crafted, the seats are very comfortable and the overall driving experience is very rewarding. The supercharged version offers effortless acceleration, all while offering light weight moves in a heavy weight package. However, the downside is you’ll pay a pretty penny to buy one and you’ll need deep pockets for running costs. There is still some concern for reliability and of course the ‘high baller’ image that the Range Rover Sport carries.

Devon's Pick: HSE trim offers a strong eight-cylinder engine and enough equipment to satisfy most buyers. Plus it's the cheapest of the Range Rover Sport range. 

Likes: Strong engines, luxurious interior with comfortable front seats. Handles well for weight and size; king of the road feeling when driving.

Dislikes: High running costs, iffy reliability record, not the vehicle for those who want to be discrete with their wealth.

Devon M