Cons
- Fuel economy
- Passenger room not exceptional given the vehicle's size
Acceleration
6/10
Range Rover Sport HSE has good acceleration and never feels taxed in everyday driving. The Supercharged model is impressively strong and quick. In either model, the smooth automatic transmission shrewdly matches power delivery to demand.
Fuel Economy
2/10
No opportunity to measure. Both engines require premium-grade gas.
Ride Quality
7/10
Both models offer a comfortable, well-controlled ride with good bump absorption and little excess body movement. On preview drives in rural New England, we noticed little difference in ride comfort between the HSE LUX and Supercharged.
Steering/Handling/Braking
6/10
Range Rover Sports are secure, balanced, and grippy. Body lean is well controlled, and cornering speeds can be satisfyingly quick in either model.
Quietness
8/10
Both Range Rover Sport models are quiet for large SUVs. The V8 engines emit satisfying growls under acceleration, and the supercharger whines under spirited throttle input, but it is never annoying.
Controls
7/10
Gauges are clearly marked and easy to read, as is the analog clock. Most major controls use well-identified buttons and knobs that are easy to locate and operate. Some secondary controls are accessed through the navigation system's touch screen. Setting Terrain Response, hill-descent control, and other off-road gear can puzzle the uninitiated.
Details
8/10
Interior materials are of high quality, and the assembly job looks first rate. The tasteful and understated cabin tends to look more upscale outdoorsy than uptown opulent, but nothing seems out of place and the wood trim adds a bit of warmth.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
7/10
Headroom is adequate, but larger folk may wish for a bit more wiggle room. The firm and astutely contoured seats provide excellent support and the drive position is fine. Visibility is good all around, and entry and exit are no-fuss affairs.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
6/10
Rear passengers have good headroom and a comfortable bench seat. Taller riders may need to cooperate with front-seat occupants for enough footroom and knee space though.
Cargo Room
9/10
The tailgate opens up to a station-wagon sized cargo bay. Folding the rear seat creates a relatively long and flat load floor. A double-tier glovebox and a handful of bins contribute to good small-item storage, but thirsty riders may wish the door pockets offered additional drink holders.
Value Within Class
5/10
In its base HSE form, Range Rover Sport isn't as aggressively sporty as some like-priced high-performance SUVs. Supercharged models raise the performance bar significantly, but at a stiff price premium over the HSE. Supercharged may not match some rival's overt machismo, but few competitors are as refined or easy to drive. Any Range Rover Sport does a very good job balancing on- and off-road performance with comfort and utility, all while maintaining a mature and distinct personality.
Highlights
The 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport gets freshened styling, new available features, and new engines. This premium-midsize SUV seats 5 and shares some of its basic design with Land Rover's 7-passenger LR4. Range Rover Sport comes as the HSE with a 375-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine, which replaces a 300-horsepower 4.4-liter V8. The top-end Supercharged has a 510-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, which replaces a 390-horsepower 4.2-liter V8. A 6-speed automatic is the sole transmission. All-wheel drive with low-range gearing is standard. It includes Land Rover's Terrain Response system, which automatically tailors AWD performance to specific off-road conditions. A locking rear differential is optional. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Hill-descent control is standard, as are a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, front- and rear-obstacle detection, and a navigation system. An adaptive air suspension is also standard. Among the new features offered are keyless entry/engine start as well as a "Surround-Camera" system that shows the driver nearly the entire circumference of the exterior on the screen of the standard navigation system. The available LUX package for HSE models includes heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, adjustable side bolsters on the driver's seat, a cooler box in the center console, upgraded leather upholstery, wood interior trim, adaptive headlights, and 20-inch alloy wheels. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium-Midsize SUVs are similar in size and construction to Midsize SUVs. Most, in fact, are gilded versions of Midsize SUVs; though a few are exclusive upscale designs.
Our Best Buys include the Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, and Lexus RX. Our Recommended pick is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Acura MDX, Acura ZDX, Cadillac SRX, Land Rover LR4, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lexus GX 460, Lexus RX, and Lincoln MKT. The BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Porsche Cayenne add a gas/electric hybrid model to their lineups for 2010.