HEAD TO HEAD
RANGE ROVER SPORT
T
he 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport has a lavish interior, a smooth
ride, powerful engines and great off-road capabilities, reviewers
agree. The base Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes with a supercharged V6 engine that most reviewers say offers a good amount of power.
However, some critics wish it were a bit more powerful. There are two
optional supercharged V8 engines and automotive writers agree that they
put down even more robust power for thrilling acceleration. An eight-speed
automatic transmission is standard, and automotive journalists point out
that it shifts smoothly. With 17/22 mpg city/highway, the base 2015 Range
Rover Sport earns lower fuel economy estimates than most rivals. Test
drivers say the Range Rover Sport has a comfortable ride, sharp steering
and exceptionally athletic handling. Reviewers note that the 2015 Range
Rover Sport also excels off-road, with the ability to take on most kinds of
terrain with ease.
Critics report that the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport’s cabin has
distinguished styling and high-end materials, including real wood and firstrate leather. They say the Range Rover Sport’s first- and second-row seats
are exceptionally comfortable and roomy, and that the driver’s seat offers
a good view of the road. However, critics note that the optional third row
can only comfortably accommodate children, which is common for a threerow SUV. The 2015 Range Rover Sport comes with dual-zone automatic
climate control, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, satellite radio,
an eight-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation and
a USB port. Options include tri- or quad-zone automatic climate control, a
surround camera system that provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle to aid with parking maneuvers, a 19-speaker Meridian surround-sound
audio system, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Although
some automotive writers say the Land Rover Range Rover Sport’s infotainment system is straightforward, others complain that it isn’t as easy to use
as those in some rivals. With 62.2 cubic feet of overall room, the 2015 Range
Rover Sport has limited cargo space for the class.
The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport ranks 1 out of 17 Luxury Mid-size
SUVs. This ranking is based on analysis of published reviews and test drives
of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, as well as reliability and safety data.
Compiled from www.usnews.com
Pros & Cons
+Powerful engines
—Small cargo hold
+Nimble handling
—Poor fuel economy
+Great off-road ability
+Very luxurious cabin
RANKING
#1 in Luxury Mid-size SUVs
#2 in Luxury SUVs with 3
Rows
#1 in Off-Road SUVs
MotorHub Magazine
Overall:
Critics’ Rating:
Performance:
Interior:
Safety:
8.7
9.2
9.4
8.3
N/A
“Stylish, athletic and luxurious, and with an
optional third-row seat to boot, the 2015 Land
Rover Range Rover Sport is a well-rounded
premium SUV.” — Edmunds
“The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a
more nimble and less expensive alternative
to the full-size Range Rover flagship. The
Sport boasts the highest level of performance
“If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV, the ever offered on a Range Rover and it offers
2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a per- occasional-use third-row seating, a first on
fect blend of luxury, performance and off-road a Range Rover-badged vehicle.” — Left Lane
News
capability.” — MSN (2014)
14
February 2015 Issue