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2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Rating6.8

Ranked #15 in

Midsize SUV

Write Review

$60,045 - $86,795

Starting Price

Year

Nathan Dyer

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 14, 2024

Pros	Cons	What's New
Excellent road manners	Cargo space lower due to sloping tailgate	Revised trim details
Supremely powerful V8 engines	Reliability is poor	Upgraded audio and infotainment systems
Great off-roading capability	Poor fuel efficiency

Specs & Features

$60,045

price

375 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

375 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

5.0L 8cyl 4WD 6A

engine

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is an SUV that properly dominates the road and continues to do so when you run out of. It is not as off-road-focused as the regular Range Rover sibling, but the Sport version still has a lot of tricks up its sleeve to remain competitive. This SUV has a shorter chassis and is much closer to the ground to aid handling. It still has a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a low-speed transfer case and an electronic locking differential but can also give serious competition to some fast cars on the highway.

Buying Advice

TheLand Rover Range Rover Sport is one of the best SUVs around and is a very well loaded car even if you do not select any options. But, since the ownership experience of these cars can be a lot more special if you start taking off options, it is very much recommended to go after these additional packages. We would recommend the HSE trim level itself since at a very accessible starting price. To this we would add the luxury package which brings 20-inch wheels, heated windshield, heated washer gets, available piano black trim, premium leather upholstery and so on which makes the car truly luxurious.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Being available in two trims, it is still quite expensive and has a starting price of $59,645. But for this price, you get famed British quality and all the ruggedness of Land Rover while still being fast. It gets very few changes for the 2012 model year but that is enough to distinguish it from any other model of this car. It competes against the Porsche Cayenne, the BMW X5, and the Audi Q7 in the midsize luxury SUV segment. We discuss the main features of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport here.

Features
8.0/10

The Range Rover Sport is a sub trim level of the Land Rover Range Rover. Hence, this model is not divided into a lot of trims. It, however, comes in the HSE guise as well as the Supercharged guise. Apart from this, there is the luxurious Autobiography package as well as the Luxury package to choose from. However, right from the HSE trim level, one gets features such as 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, adjustable air suspension with adaptive damping, power tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, 11 speaker Harman Kardon audio system and so on.

Trims	HSE	Supercharged
MSRP	$59,645	$74,545
Key Features	Rearview Camera	Supercharged V8
	Sun/moonroof	Brembo front brakes
	Cruise Control	Adaptive Cruise Control
	Premium Sound system	Upgraded suspension system
	Leather seats	Extended Leather package
	Rear parking aid	Adaptive cruise control
	Heated Mirrors	Rear sear entertainment system

We Recommend

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is one of the best SUVs around and is a very well loaded car even if you do not select any options. But, since the ownership experience of these cars can be a lot more special if you start taking off options, it is very much recommended to go after these additional packages. We would recommend the HSE trim level itself since at a very accessible starting price. To this we would add the luxury package which brings 20-inch wheels, heated windshield, heated washer gets, available piano black trim, premium leather upholstery and so on which makes the car truly luxurious.

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes with only a 5 L V8 engine and hence is great for bragging rights. However, this would also mean that it is quite thirsty and will drink more fuel than any of its counterparts. This would be the case for the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, as the EPA estimates 13 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway, which is much lower than most cars you will find on the roads today. Its fuel tank size is also not anything too big at 23 gallons. As a result of all this, it has negligible range figures of 299 miles in the city and 414 miles on the highway.

Model	2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport	2012 Audi Q7	2012 BMW X5	2012 Porsche Cayenne
MPG (city)	13	16	16	16
MPG (Highway)	18	22	23	23
MPG (Combined)	15	18	19	19
Fuel Capacity	23 gallons	26.4 gallons	22.5 gallons	22.4 gallons
Range (City/highway)	299/414 mi	422.4/580.4 mi	360/517.5 mi	358.4/515.2 mi

The Land Rover has much tougher competition in terms of fuel efficiency because its counterparts use much more efficient and smaller engines. This does not mean that any of these cars are exactly slow and as we have seen, the BMW X5 can even beat the Range Rover in terms of performance. The BMW X5 is very impressive because it is the fastest accelerating car in this category and also the most fuel-efficient. However, it is the Audi Q7 that has the best range of the segment due to a very large fuel tank of 26.4 gallons. The Range Rover has the worst fuel efficiency figures in this class and its fuel tank is only slightly larger than the smallest tank.

Interior
7.0/10

The Range Rover offers an excellent view of the road, credits to its commanding driving position, and this car even has elevated seating for rear passengers. This is a truly unique feature and makes the car stand out, although the headroom is slightly shorter in the back. It also has excellent quality materials inside and you will find that the leather upholstery is high-grade and so are the cabin accents that come from wood and black lacquer. It is extremely beautiful and very well laid out with ergonomics that we do not generally find in SUVs.

It feels rich and contemporary and you will find that the console is very much modern and has a very dashing display at its center. There is a good amount of technology inside the car as well which makes it a properly well-equipped luxury car. It is not a bad place to be in when you’re traversing treacherous terrain and the car puts you through with ease. That is decent space offered, but the sloping roof does compromise a bit of cargo as well as passenger headroom.

Model	2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport	2012 Audi Q7	2012 BMW X5	2012 Porsche Cayenne
Seating Capacity	5	7	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	39.4/58.7/42.4	40/58.7/41.3	36.6/60/40	N/A
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.3/57.6/37.6	38.2/57.1/37.1	39.3/58/36.6	N/A
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cargo Capacity to behind 2nd row (cu-ft)	33.8	42	21.9	23.7

The Audi Q7 has another big advantage and that is the anonymous cargo capacity of 42 cubic feet that it offers. The Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X5 do not have the same kind of advantage in terms of cargo capacity and can be inception for many people. The Range Rover has a very decent cargo capacity of 33.8 ft.³, which can fit most of your requirements with ease. In terms of the interiors, all of its rivals have great options as well as quality. The main interior features of the SUV include:

Cruise Control
Keyless Ignition
Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Leather And Simulated Alloy Steering Wheel
Rear View Camera
Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
Universal Remote Transmitter
Interior Air Filtration

How intuitive is the infotainment system in the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?

The infotainment system of this car is something that can definitely use an improvement. There is a display in the center with customizable gauges and so on, but it is not something that can compete against the best systems in the market right now. And considering that many of its rivals have upgraded to such systems, it only makes sense for the Range Rover Sport to follow suit now. It, however, has an excellent 11 speaker audio system from Harman Kardon and delivers excellent quality audio. The standout infotainment features of the Range Rover’s infotainment system include:

AM./FM stereo
Harman Kardon Premium Stereo and Speaker system
Diversity Antenna
Satellite Radio (available with the top-of-the-line trim)
Wireless Cell Phone Hookup
USB, iPod, and auxiliary audio
Subwoofer

Exterior
8.0/10

The exterior styling of the Range Rover Sport is the absolute peak of SUV design. It is luxurious but it also has every single design detail from the Range Rover that debuted in 1970. It blends the most purposeful British design and has incredibly beautiful details that stand out It is one of the only SUVs that still has a ruggedness in its design while being elegant. These kinds of designs are now being increasingly replaced due to aerodynamics and other considerations but we feel that every angle of this car is to be cherished. It truly conveys its character and should attract buyers due to this.

Model	2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport	2012 Audi Q7	2012 BMW X5	2012 Porsche Cayenne
Curb Weight (lbs)	5487	5192	4960	4475
Length (in.)	188.3	199	191.1	190.8
Width (in.)	78.8	78.1	76.3	76.5
Height (in.)	70.4	68.4	67.4	69.3
Ground Clearance (in.)	6.7	8.1	8.3	8.7
Wheelbase (in.)	108	118.2	114	114.8

The Audi Q7 is the largest measuring 199 inches in length, while the Range Rover Sport is much smaller in terms of nearly all dimensions except height. It is, actually, a bit shorter than the regular Range Rover line-up but still is tall in this category. Although its rivals are much higher up from the ground, they do not have off-road capabilities due to the powertrains not being up to the job. The Land Rover platform surely feels its age due to how heavy it is despite being small. The main exterior features of the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport include:

Privacy Glass
Power Windows
Trail hitch receiver
20-inch alloy wheels
Sun/Moonroof
Running Boards
Rear Spoiler

Safety
8.0/10

Unfortunately, the Range Rover Sport has not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS yet and it is highly unlikely that it will ever be. However, it is one such car manufacturer that definitely has had its fair share of safe cars. It is provided with a lot of safety equipment as well as excellent structural engineering which makes it incredibly safe. This year also sees the addition of a few safety features. Some safety features of the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport include:

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ABS And Driveline Traction Control
Side Impact Beams
Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
Post-Collision Safety System
Child Seat Anchors
Dusk Sensing Headlamps
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
HID Headlights
Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
Rear Child Safety Locks
Parkview Back-Up Camera

Final Verdict

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the absolute pinnacle of an SUV that can dominate both on and off the road. However, this car generally has its reputation a bit dampened due to its poor reliability ratings. It is an incredibly beautiful car that also manages to have a very characterful V-8 engine and the best of British luxury on the side as well. However, it has very poor fuel efficiency and has some other practical compromises as well which prevent it from being a bestseller in the segment. If you’re in the market for “the one” and don’t mind the highest upkeep costs, we would definitely recommend that you get the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

Trims

HSE
$60,045 onwards

19-inch silver aluminum Wheels
2 - 1st row LCD monitor
A-Spec Sport Seats
AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
Fog/Driving lights
Heated mirrors
Rain sensing windsheild wiper
Remote keyless entry
Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

HSE GT
$60,045 onwards

Automatic high beam assist
Rear parking assist

HSE Limited Edition
$60,045 onwards

Adaptive headlights
Rear entertainment system

HSE LUX
$60,045 onwards

Heated Front Seats
Heated windshield washer
Leather upholstery

Autobiography
$75,245 onwards

Engine: 5.0L 8cyl 4WD 6A
Horsepower: 510 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
Torque: 461 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
0-60 mph: 5 sec
Top Speed: 140 mph
Fuel Economy Combined: 14 mpg

Supercharged
$75,245 onwards

20-inch silver aluminum Wheels
Front passengers heated-cushion
Sirius AM/FM/HD/Satellite

SVR Supercharged
$86,795 onwards

Engine: 5.0L 8cyl 4WD 6A
Horsepower: 510 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
Torque: 461 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.9 sec
Top Speed: 140 mph
Fuel Economy Combined: 14 mpg

Compare to similar cars

6.8

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Price

$60,045- $86,795

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.78

Horsepower

510 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

461 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

Capacity

Read Review

8.4

2012 Acura ZDX

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2012 Audi Q7

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7.9

280 hp @ 4920 rpm

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8.3

2012 BMW X6

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8.2

2012 BMW X5

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2012 Cadillac SRX

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8.0

2012 Ford Explorer

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7.3

2012 Infiniti FX50

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7.3

390 hp @ 6500 rpm

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8.0

2012 Infiniti FX35

$43,700- $52,000

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2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs competitor's 0-60

Car Name	0-60 MPH	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Ranked #11	7.2 sec	15.0 sec	131 mph
2012 Infiniti FX50 Ranked #1	5.3 sec	13.7 sec	-
2012 Infiniti FX35 Ranked #2	5.9 sec	14.5 sec	-
2012 Porsche Cayenne Ranked #3	6.2 sec	14.9 sec	132 mph
2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Ranked #4	6.46 sec	14.6 sec	92 mph
2012 Lincoln MKX Ranked #5	6.5 sec	15.1 sec	-

Car Name	MPG City	MPG Highway	MPG Combined	Fuel Tank Capacity	Range (C/H)
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Ranked #8	13 mpg	18 mpg	15 mpg	23.3 gal.	299/414 mi.
2012 Lincoln MKX Ranked #1	19 mpg	26 mpg	22 mpg	18 gal.	342/468 mi.
2012 Volvo XC60 Ranked #2	19 mpg	25 mpg	21 mpg	18.5 gal.	351.5/462.5 mi.
2012 Lexus RX 350 Ranked #2	18 mpg	25 mpg	21 mpg	19.2 gal.	345.6/480 mi.
2012 Ford Explorer Ranked #3	20 mpg	25 mpg	20 mpg	18.6 gal.	334.8/465 mi.
2012 Infiniti FX35 Ranked #4	16 mpg	23 mpg	19 mpg	23.8 gal.	380.8/547.4 mi.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs competitor's dimensions

Car Name	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Ranked #14	188.3 in.	76.1 in.	71.5 in.	6.8 in.	113.3 in.
2012 Audi Q7 Ranked #1	200.3 in.	78.1 in.	68.4 in.	8.1 in.	118.2 in.
2012 Ford Explorer Ranked #2	197.1 in.	78.9 in.	70.4 in.	7.6 in.	112.6 in.
2012 Acura ZDX Ranked #3	192.4 in.	78.5 in.	62.8 in.	7.9 in.	108.3 in.
2012 BMW X6 Ranked #4	192.1 in.	78.1 in.	66.5 in.	8 in.	115.5 in.
2012 Acura MDX Ranked #5	191.6 in.	78.5 in.	68.2 in.	8.2 in.	108.3 in.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs competitor's trunk space

Car Name	Trunk Capacity	Passenger Volume	Max Trunk Volume
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Ranked #18	33.8 cu.ft.	87.9 cu.ft.	71 cu.ft.
2012 Lincoln MKX Ranked #1	32.3 cu.ft.	108.4 cu.ft.	68.6 cu.ft.
2012 Volvo XC90 Ranked #2	8.8 cu.ft.	-	93.2 cu.ft.
2012 Lexus GX 460 Ranked #3	11.6 cu.ft.	141.4 cu.ft.	91.9 cu.ft.
2012 Ford Explorer Ranked #4	21 cu.ft.	151.7 cu.ft.	80.7 cu.ft.
2012 Lexus RX 350 Ranked #5	40 cu.ft.	100.9 cu.ft.	80.3 cu.ft.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs competitor's cargo space

Car Name	Cargo Volume	Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area	Max Cargo Volume	Bed Length
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Ranked #1	10.8 cu.ft.	33.8 cu.ft.	71 cu.ft.	-
2012 Audi Q7 Ranked #2	44.6 cu.ft.	10.9 cu.ft.	72.5 cu.ft.	-
2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Ranked #3	71 cu.ft.	36.2 cu.ft.	71 cu.ft.	-
2012 BMW X5 Ranked #4	63.4 cu.ft.	23.2 cu.ft.	75.2 cu.ft.	-
2012 BMW X6 Ranked #5	15.3 cu.ft.	25.6 cu.ft.	59.7 cu.ft.	-
2012 Volvo XC60 Ranked #6	67.4 cu.ft.	30.8 cu.ft.	67.4 cu.ft.	-

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs competitor's towing capacity

Car Name	Towing Capacity	Payload Capacity	Weight
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Ranked #1	7716 lbs.	1219 lbs.	5540 lbs.
2012 Porsche Cayenne Ranked #1	7716 lbs.	1698 lbs.	4398 lbs.
2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Ranked #2	7200 lbs.	1532 lbs.	4753 lbs.
2012 Audi Q7 Ranked #3	6600 lbs.	1279 lbs.	5291 lbs.
2012 Lexus GX 460 Ranked #4	6500 lbs.	1295 lbs.	5128 lbs.
2012 BMW X6 Ranked #5	6000 lbs.	937 lbs.	4894 lbs.

Top Land Rover Cars

2012 Land Rover Range Rover

Horsepower : 385 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG Combined : 14 mpg

0-60 : 6.5 sec

2012 Land Rover LR4

Horsepower : 375 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG Combined : 14 mpg

0-60 : 6.8 sec

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Horsepower : 375 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG Combined : 15 mpg

0-60 : 7.2 sec

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Horsepower : 240 hp

MPG Combined : 22 mpg

0-60 : 7.1 sec

2012 Land Rover LR2

Horsepower : 230 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 17 mpg

0-60 : 7.9 sec

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport User Reviews

0.0

[1 Reviews]

[0.0%] [0 Reviews]

POPULAR TAGS

center

cooler

console

beautiful

classy

Michelle kempton

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

HSE 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl 6A)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: August 21, 2024

4 out of 5

Pros - ["Looks classy", "Retains value", "Perfect size"]

Cons - ["Suspension issues", "High gas milage", "Expensive to fix"]

Its a beautiful car. Very classy. Its got alot of features like the different driving modes. I love the cooler in the center console. Its is a bit expensive to fix & more difficult which is why the 4/5