2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

PROS
Comfortable and quiet highway ride, Excellent ride-handling balance for an SUV, Go anywhere ability

CONS Poor fuel economy, Budget interior fittings, Limited rear visibility

Ready for anything
Though the Range Rover Sport carries the Range Rover nameplate, it actually shares underpinnings with its larger cousin, the Land Rover LR3. The five-passenger Sport was introduced in 2006 and competes with sport-orientated luxury SUVs like the BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Porsche Cayenne.

Two models are offered: HSE and Supercharged. The HSE has a 4.4-liter V8 that makes 300 horsepower. The Supercharged comes with a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 that has 390 horsepower. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic transmission that has a separate shift gate for clutch-less manual operation. 

Standard on both models is full-time four-wheel drive. It includes a low range for severe off-road driving and Land Rover's Terrain Response system, which is designed to tailor ride height, suspension settings, and traction control to specific off-road conditions. Height-adjustable suspension and hill-descent control are also standard. A mechanically locking rear differential is optional.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, stability control, front- and rear-obstacle detection systems, and dual front, front side, and curtain side airbags.

HSE models come standard with dual-zone climate control, tilt-telescope steering wheel with radio controls, leather upholstery, split folding rear seats, keyless entry, AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer, Bluetooth cell-phone link, and navigation system with voice recognition. Supercharged models add larger brakes, heated front and rear seats, center console cooler box, wood interior trim, satellite radio, heated windshield, steering linked headlights, and Land Rover's Dynamic Response roll-control suspension, which  is intended to reduce body lean in turns.

Key options include adaptive cruise control, DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system, upgraded wood and leather interior, and alloy wheels. HSE base price is $57,235 and the Supercharged starts at $70,535. All models have a $715 destination charge.

Get up and Go
The HSE's 300-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 is a willing and responsive engine, but it's burdened with the task of moving 5500 pounds. As a result, it's not as quick off the line and doesn't have the passing punch as the V8-powered BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. When prodded, the HSE musters sufficient acceleration and decent passing response. If you want more power, opt for the Supercharged model.

Towing capacity is an impressive 7718 pounds.

The full-time four-wheel-drive system requires no input from the driver unless you want to shift into low range for off-road driving. With 8.9 inches of ground clearance and the Terrain Response system, Land Rover can rightfully claim that the Sport is the off-road king of luxury-sport SUVs. It's not as nimble as a Jeep Wrangler, but its vast array of electronic gizmos makes it virtually unstoppable off the beaten path.

HSE is EPA rated at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Those are unimpressive numbers to say the least. In addition, Land Rover says the HSE requires more-expensive premium-grade fuel. In routine driving, expect to average 14-16 mpg, perhaps 17.5 mpg on longer highway trips.

On the RoadLand Rover has long been famous for producing smooth riding SUVs that can take off-road punishment. The Range Rover Sport is no exception to that rule. It's rides as smoothly as a sporty luxury sedan. Tires and suspension absorb all but the largest bumps with aplomb and the available electronic suspension does an excellent job of filtering out secondary motions so common in large SUVs.

Unlike its more sedate cousins, Range Rover and LR3, Range Rover Sport offers a fair amount of handling prowess. It's not as agile as Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5, but it's much more nimble than you'd expect. Steering feels somewhat ponderous at parking speeds, but firms up nicely once speed picks up, brakes are strong and offer plenty of stopping power, tires have ample grip, and the electronic suspension does an excellent job of mitigating body roll in turns.

Interior noise levels are low. There's a subtle hint of wind noise around the side mirrors, but it's only noticeable at speeds above 70 mph. Otherwise, the Sport is among the quietest SUVs on the market.

Behind the Wheel Sport's interior design is upright and conservative. Gauges are dead ahead of the driver and easy to read in a glance. Window controls are up high on the door and clearly marked. Radio and climate controls are blocked off in boxy fashion in the center console. For the most part they are logical and easy to operate, but many of the buttons sport similar markings are aren't logically placed.

Standard navigation system is operated by touch screen or voice commands. It is not as hard to program as you might expect, but the screen is a long reach for most drivers.

Interior materials disappoint. Headliner is constructed of inexpensive-looking felt and the interior has too much hard plastic and not enough polished wood and chrome. At prices north of $60,000, most interiors are finished off in leather, wood, and aluminum.

Rear seats are nicely trimmed but flat and lack support or long-haul cushioning. On the upside, head and leg room are excellent, and the step-up isn't as high as you'd expect.

Cargo room is good and easily expandable with folding rear seats. Tailgate has separate opening window, which is a nice item when loading smaller items or grocery bags. Interior storage is exceptional with lots of open and covered bins. Available center console cooler bin is a great touch and works as advertised.

Bottom Line Make no mistake the Range Rover Sport is a niche vehicle. How many people need a SUV that can crawl up the side of a mountain, tow 3-plus tons, and capture the prime valet-parking spot at elite restaurants?

Yet, it's hard not to like the Sport for its near-perfect blend of utility, sport, and unstoppable traction. Prices are high, no doubt, but you get all of the expected luxury features and the élan of this elite English make.

Land Rover's Terrain Response System takes the guess work out of off-road driving with its preselected settings and display screen.

Electronic controls deliver a full suite of stability and traction benefits including emergency brake assist for maximum support in an emergency situation; antilock brakes to curtail wheel lock during aggressive braking as well on slippery off-road terrain; dynamic stability control to maintain guidance authority during extreme maneuvers; active roll mitigation to slow the vehicle in a tight bend when the vehicle senses overly aggressive driving; electronic brake force distribution to make balanced use of the stopping traction available at all four wheels regardless of how the vehicle is loaded; four-wheel electronic traction control; and hill descent control to creep controllably down steep grades.