2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review:
5.
6.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Full Review
7.
8.
2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review
Land Rover's sport-oriented SUV is based on the underskin architecture of its larger, seven-passenger LR3. Range Rover Sport seats five. It comes as the HSE model with a 300-hp V8 and as the Supercharged version with a 390-hp V8. Both engines are sourced from Jaguar, which is owned by Land Rover's parent company, Ford. 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. All Range Rover Sports have ABS, traction/antiskid control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Height-adjustable air suspension and hill-descent control are standard, as are a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, front and rear obstacle detection, and a navigation system. Standard on Supercharged, available on HSE are wood interior trim, heated seats, steering-linked headlights, and Land Rover's Dynamic Response suspension system designed to counteract body lean in turns. DVD entertainment and adaptive cruise control are optional. For 2007, a wireless cell phone link moves from optional to standard.
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, Cadillac SRX, and Lexus RX. Our Recommended picks are the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and Volvo XC90.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Chrysler Aspen, and Lincoln MKX.
News
Despite its name and visuals, the RR Sport is not a Range Rover variation but a platform cousin of the LR3. Being freshly hatched, it should stay pretty much as is through the end of the decade.
2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Road Test
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Pros
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Cons
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Acceleration |
Fuel economy |
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Handling/roadholding |
Rear-seat entry/exit |
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Cargo room |
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Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 6 |
7 |
6.2 |
Though not as quick as V8 Porsche Cayennes and BMW X5s, HSE never seems taxed in everyday driving. Supercharged model impressively strong. Test Supercharged did 6.7 sec 0-60 mph. Credit transmission with shrewdly matching power delivery to demand.
Fuel Economy
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 3 |
2 |
3.6 |
No opportunity to measure with HSE. Supercharged test vehicles averaged a dismal 11.1-11.2 mpg in mostly city driving. Both engines require premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 5 |
4 |
5.7 |
Both models react firmly to bumps in manner of a European sport sedan. Low-profile 20-inch tires less absorbent on pavement cracks and ridges than 19s, but aren't jarring. What Supercharged version relinquishes in ride cushioning vs. HSE it recoups with outstanding stability on dips, swells.
Steering/Handling/Braking
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 6 |
7 |
5.6 |
Not as quick to react to steering inputs as X5, but always secure, balanced, grippy. Tail stays planted in fast, bumpy corners, but 20-inch tires prone to wander along pavement grooves. Laudable Dynamic Response suspension quells undue body lean, contributes to markedly faster cornering speeds. Off-road, both models made good use of Terrain Response technology, adjustable-height suspension to conquer deep sand, steep rocky inclines.
Quietness
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 7 |
6 |
6.5 |
Impressively muffles wind, engine noise. The 20-inch tires whine on coarse pavement.
Controls
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 5 |
5 |
6.5 |
Controls grouped close-by, but a larger typeface would enhance legibility of gauges. Climate dials big, obvious, but effort is required to sort out multitude of other buttons, knobs. Setting Terrain Response, hill-descent control, and other off-road gear puzzles the uninitiated.
Details
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 5 |
5 |
6.2 |
Plenty of richly padded cabin surfaces, but some materials disappoint for the price and metal-look trim should be aluminum, not painted plastic. One test Supercharged suffered from myriad squeaks and a small leak from the sunroof after a heavy rainfall.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 7 |
7 |
7.3 |
Adequate head clearance, but larger passengers lack wiggle room in footwell pinched by wide center console, low dashboard housing. Great support from firm, astutely contoured seats. Excellent driving position, though premium-class prices merit power not manual tilt/telescope steering. Good visibility. No-fuss entry/exit.
Room/Comfort (rear)
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 5 |
5 |
6.3 |
Good head room. Some adults may find seatback too upright, cushion length stingy on long drives. Leg, foot space confined if front occupants don't cooperate on seat positioning. Narrow door openings hamper entry/exit.
Cargo Room
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 7 |
7 |
7.8 |
One-piece liftgate, separate-opening window. Station wagon-sized cargo bay. Two-step rear-seat folding process creates relatively long, flat load floor. Double-tier glovebox, multiple console bins contribute to good small-item storage space.
Value within Class
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 5 |
4 |
5.9 |
It's not as outright fast as most like-priced high-performance SUVs, and discriminating shoppers will find the grade of interior materials lacking. But credit Range Rover Sport with adroitly balanced dynamics and a mature personality that create a vehicle with distinct character.
Total Score
| HSE |
Supercharged |
Class Average |
| 61 |
59 |
67.6 |
Scores for all Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score |
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54 |
| Average Score |
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67 |
| High Score |
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82 |
2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/14/2006
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| HSE 4-door wagon |
$57,235 |
$52,084 |
$715 |
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| Supercharged 4-door wagon |
$70,535 |
$64,187 |
$715 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs
click here.
Standard Equipment
HSE
Powertrain
4.4-liter V8 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip center differential, front and rear traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, hill descent control, antiskid system w/rollover sensors, tire-pressure monitor, front- and rear-obstacle-detection system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, power steering, power tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat, 6-way power passenger seat, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors w/passenger-side tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, harman/kardon AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, analog clock, wireless cell phone link, tachometer, navigation system w/voice recognition, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, bi-xenon headlights w/washers, front and rear fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Class III trailer-hitch receiver, wiring harness, height-adjustable and load-leveling suspension, 255/50HR19 tires, alloy wheels.
Supercharged adds to HSE:
Powertrain
4.2-liter supercharged V8 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Heated front and rear seats, center console cooler box, wood interior trim, satellite radio, heated windshield and washer jets .
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Steering-linked adaptive headlights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Dynamic Response roll-control suspension, 275/40R20 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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Luxury Interior Pkg.
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HSE
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$3,000
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$2,730
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Heated front and rear seats, center console cooler box, upgraded leather upholstery, wood interior trim, heated windshield and washer jets, steering-linked adaptive headlights.
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Dynamic Response Pkg.
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HSE
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$2,000
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$1,820
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Dynamic Response roll-control suspension, uprated brakes.
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Cold Climate Pkg.
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HSE
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$1,300
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$1,183
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Heated front and rear seats, heated windshield and washer jets.
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Powertrain |
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Locking rear differential
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HSE, Supercharged
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$500
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$455
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Adaptive cruise control
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Supercharged
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$2,000
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$1,820
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DVD entertainment system
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HSE, Supercharged
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$2,500
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$2,275
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Satellite radio
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HSE
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$400
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$364
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Unique leather upholstery
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Supercharged
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$0
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$0
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Unique wood interior
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Supercharged
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$0
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$0
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
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Unique alloy wheels
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Supercharged
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$1,000
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$910
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Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires |
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275/40HR20 all-terrain tires
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HSE
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$4,000
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$3,640
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2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification |
Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4-door wagon |
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| Wheelbase, in. |
108.0 |
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| Overall Length, in. |
188.5 |
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| Overall Width, in. |
85.4 |
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| Overall Height, in. |
71.5 |
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| Curb Weight, lbs. |
5468 |
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| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. |
71.0 |
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| Standard Payload, lbs. |
-- |
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| Fuel Capacity, gals. |
23.2 |
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| Seating Capacity |
5 |
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| Front Head Room, in. |
39.4 |
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| Max. Front Leg Room, in. |
39.1 |
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| Rear Head Room, in. |
38.4 |
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| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. |
37.6 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
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dohc V8 |
Supercharged dohc V8 |
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| Size, liters/cu. in. |
4.4 /268 |
4.2 /256 |
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| Horsepower @ rpm. |
300 @ 5500 |
390 @ 5750 |
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| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. |
315 @ 4000 |
410 @ 3500 |
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| Availability |
Standard |
Standard |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 6-speed automatic |
14/19 |
13/18 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test |
Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4-door wagon |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class |
Years/Miles |
Comments |
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| Powertrain |
None/-- |
-- |
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| Bumper-to-bumper |
4/50,000 |
-- |
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| Corrosion |
6/unlimited |
-- |
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| Free roadside assistance |
4/50,000 |
-- |
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| Free scheduled maintenance |
None/-- |
-- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
England
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive
Also in the 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review:
5.
6.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Full Review
7.
8.