Range Rover Sport (2005 – 2013) Review

Range Rover Sport (2005 – 2013) At A Glance

4/5

+The best-driving Land Rover, still very capable off road, TDV8 is strong and smooth, 3.0 TDV6 a genuinely sporty decent drive with excellent steering.

-Petrol heavy on fuel, 2.7 TDV6 is a bit lacklustre. 3.6TDV8 is 294g/km CO2, so £535 VED for 2017/2018.

Insurance Group 40
On average it achieves 91% of the official MPG figure

Sportier Range Rover based on shortened structure of Discovery III. 4,700mm long 5-seater only. 385bhp 4.2 litre Jaguar supercharged V8 with 410lb/ft torque giving electronically limited 140mph and 0-60 in about 6 seconds. ZF 6-speed 'intelligent shift' autobox.

Vastly improved for 2012MY with more powertful TDV6 diesel engine and 8-speed automatic transmission.

Range Rover Sport 3.0 SD HSE 2012 Road Test

Car seat chooser

Child seats that fit a Range Rover Sport (2005 – 2013)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Real MPG average for a Range Rover Sport (2005 – 2013)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

91%

Real MPG

14–35 mpg

MPGs submitted

401

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

Is it smart to buy a 10-year-old Range Rover Sport?

"Is a 10-year-old Range Rover Sport TDV6 good value at £8000 with 99,000 miles on it?"
I'm not sure what value you will get from a 10-year-old Range Rover Sport. The maintenance and servicing costs will be expensive and reflective of a £40,000 luxury SUV (and not one that's worth £8k). It'll also be susceptible all manner of age-related wear and tear, which will produce some eye watching repair bills in the not too distant future.
Answered by Dan Powell

Would a pick-up truck be suitable for off-roading and city driving?

"Following your advice five years ago, I purchased an old Range Rover Sport - which I loved and was very practical with a reasonable amount of off road use. Rather rashly, but sensing some expensive repairs on the horizon, I chopped it in for a run out model of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate about 18 months ago. I have been underwhelmed with the E-Class. While it's good for the 80 per cent of long distance motoring I do, it is not at all practical for the 20 per cent of off roading that I still do. I'm not in a position to trade back up to a Range Rover Sport or new Land Rover Discovery yet, so I've been considering changing to a double cab and canopy pick-up. I have about £15,000 - £20,000 to spend until the Range Rover Sport comes back into reach. Is that sensible for the balance of on road/off road driving I do? What would be most comfortable for the on road miles, assuming all the pick-ups are likely to be more than capable of the occasional off road stuff?"
Pick-ups are very capable when it comes to off-roading. Most feature selectable four-wheel drive and high and low ratio gears, which means they'll have little trouble tackling muddy fields, farm tracks and wintery B roads. On the downside, pick-ups are generally thirsty on fuel and a little cumbersome to use in town. The Nissan Navara is the most-refined pick-up you can buy, but your budget will only stretch to a low spec model on a 2016 plate. https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/nissan/navara-np300-2015/ If buying used, I’d add the Ford Ranger to your list: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/ranger-2011/ If refinement isn’t high on your list of priorities, you might want to consider the SsangYong Musso: it’s capable off-road, backed by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and available (as new) for under £20,000. https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ssangyong/musso-2016/
Answered by Dan Powell

Should I go for a petrol or diesel Land Rover?

"I currently own a 2009 Range Rover Sport diesel and I'm looking to acquire a new Land Rover Discovery Sport. I'm not sure whether to go for diesel or petrol. Diesel has much more to offer in relation to fuel consumption but, with the demonising of diesels by the government, would a petrol version be a better buy?"
Depends what you want to do with it. If you will be towing a lot or doing a high mileage of 20,000 or more a year, probably diesel. If not, petrol, either the new Ingenium 240PS or 290PS, and make sure you order a spare wheel.
Answered by Honest John

Advice on buying a used Range Rover Sport

"My local non-franchised garage has a above Range Rover for sale. It's a nice colour (grey with cream leather) and seems to be in good condition. I am concerned about the above average mileage. They are asking £31,000. I would be grateful for your advice please."
Needs to be the 8-speed auto, not the previous 6-speed. Makes a big difference. High mileage clocked up quickly is good for a car as long as it has been properly maintained, so check its service history. 10k mile oil changes very good. 20k oil changes very bad. If okay, work on the price by pitching a counter offer of, say, £25k, bearing in mind that the car originally cost £60k plus, and negotiate from there.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Range Rover Sport (2005 – 2013) cost?