Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review: 2007 Model | Range Rover Sport | Car Buyers Guide

The differences between the Range Rover & Range Rover Sport aren’t obvious unless you park them side-by-side. The Sport is sexier than its bigger brother, thanks to its lower roof-line, more rakish rear window and meaner stance. The detailing is superb, too, so it looks every inch a quality machine.

The V6 diesel feels quicker than its 12.7sec 0-100km/h time & 193km/h top speed suggests but the V8 diesel stomps it for pace: 9.2secs & 209 km/h. The petrol V8 was only marginally faste but is 50% thirstier. The SC V8 is insanely rapid and savagely fuel hungry - 7.5secs, 225km/h & 15.9l/100 km.

The Sport is on a dynamic par with the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne but its better off-road than either. The steering is sharp, there’s almost no body roll and the brakes are much improved over early models. The ride quality is sporty but it’s still capable of covering vast distances with ease.

The Range Rover Sport’s interior shares much of its components with the Discovery but the controls are laid out more intuitively and it has better seats. Only the slightly mis-placed electric window switches and rather basic stereo and trip computer displays irk.

The Range Rover Sport seems, for the most part, to be very well made from very high quality materials. The have been known to be cranky, though, with electrical and hydraulic maladies affecting a number of cars. Refinement is top notch, though, despite the sporty ride.

The S comes with ESP, front, side & curtain airbags, cruise control, ISOFIX child seat mounts & three 3-point rear seatbelts & headrests. The SE adds foglamps, park aids, bi-Xenon headlamps, auto lights & wipers. 4.4 HSE adds active cruise. SC adds active ride, adaptive lights & Brembo brakes.

The Sport is a proper five-seater, i.e. it actually offers enough space for five adults, though getting all the luggage in might prove to be a bit of a challenge. The cabin is awash with useful storage spaces also, though we do lament the lack of a drop-down tailgate.

Compared to the likes of the X5 & Cayenne, the Range Rover Sport isn’t bad value at all. It’s only about 10 grand more than a Discovery but looks and feels a lot more expensive. Running costs are high, even for the 10.2l/100km TDV6. The V8s are eye-water and won’t hold their value as well either.

S has 17” alloys, cruise & climate, power windows & mirrors, remote locks, leather steering, CD, AWD & air ride. SE adds 18” alloys, park aids, Xenon lights, foglamps, auto wipers & lights. HSE adds 19” alloys, Sat Nav, memory seats & premium audio. SC adds 20” alloys, active ride & Brembo brakes.

Three engines are offered in the Sport, a 190hp, 440Nm 2.7-litre V6 diesel, a barking made 390hp, 550Nm supercharged 4.2 V8 and an awesome 272hp, 640 Nm V8 diesel. The V6 diesel is a fine engine but the V8s suit the Sport better. As of 2007, the 300hp 4.4-litre V8 petrol is no longer offered.