Range Rover Sport buyer’s guide
FROM £30,000 SUV is luxurious and great to drive. Just be wary of high costs and quality issues
What to look out for on used examples of Mk2 luxury SUV
IT has been 70 years since the first Land Rover appeared, and what the company has achieved during that time is nothing short of miraculous.
From building some of the most crude cars ever devised to producing some of the most sophisticated and luxurious machines on the road, Land Rover has displayed its engineering skills more than anywhere on the Range Rover Sport.
Proving that fast, refined and hi-tech transport isn’t mutually exclusive of supreme off-road ability, this go-anywhere SUV is at home crossing continents or traversing mountains. You’ll have to dig deep to buy and run one, and the brand doesn’t have a reputation for cast-iron reliability. So is the Range Rover Sport really worth the cash?
History
THE second-generation Range Rover Sport hit dealers in September 2013. Buyers could take their pick from three engines: 258bhp TDV6 or 292bhp SDV6 diesels, or a 510bhp 5.0 V8 petrol. The next year, a diesel-electric hybrid arrived.
There were four trims – SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography Dynamic – with all cars having an eight-speed automatic box. No manual option was available.
Updates in November 2014 meant more power for the SDV6 (now 306bhp) and better economy for the TDV6, then in February 2015 the 542bhp 5.0 V8 Sport SVR arrived. At the end of 2016 two new engines were introduced: a 2.0-litre diesel and a 3.0-litre supercharged petrol, plus the infotainment was improved.
More recently the P400e linked a 2.0 petrol engine with an electric motor, becoming Land Rover’s first plug-in hybrid.
Which one?
FOR real-world purchase and running costs, we’d choose the SDV6 with its blend of performance and economy; seven-seat cars have added usability.
All Range Rover Sports have leather, automatic headlights and wipers, DAB, a power tailgate, climate control, heated front seats, nav and air suspension.
The HSE adds 20-inch wheels, 14-way electric front seats with memory, heated rear seats, paddle-shift controls, power steering column adjustment, a heated windscreen and a rear view camera.
HSE Dynamic brings 21-inch alloys and a twin-speed transfer box. The Autobiography Dynamic gets High Beam Assist, configurable interior mood lighting, a premium hi-fi set-up, adaptive cruise control plus extra safety systems.
Alternatives
THE Range Rover Sport faces some talented opposition, not least from the
second-generation Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and BMW X5. All seat seven, are solidly built and have some excellent engines.
The Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupé aren’t quite as practical, but still have hi-tech cabins, excellent dynamics and some superb drivetrains. Don’t overlook the Volkswagen Touareg, either: it’s more affordable and very accomplished.
Verdict
AS Land Rover has continued its push upmarket, the cost of buying and running a Range Rover Sport has risen compared with the previous car. That extra outlay can be justified in part by the new model being such an advance over the old one.
But from owners’ forums, it’s clear there’s disappointment in some cases. While the Range Rover Sport is fabulous to drive on and off the road, and is a fine tow car, build quality and reliability issues mean it isn’t always so great to own. It’s worth buying the newest model you can afford, from a dealership with an excellent reputation for customer service.