2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2013 Range Rover Sport is available in two main trim levels starting with the base HSE followed by the newly-added Supercharged trim that gets a big and powerful supercharged V8. The base HSE trim carries a starting MSRP of $60,595 and has a generous list of standard techs. Some of the features include bi-xenon headlamps, adjustable and adaptive air suspension, sunroof, automatic rain-sensing wipers, and 19-inch wheels among other features. The Supercharged trim further adds Brembo brakes for the front wheels, enhanced adaptive air suspension, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters among others. 

Which trim should you buy?

The base HSE trim is quite well-equipped to fulfill a majority of demands for features. However, the Luxury package is recommended if you wish to have an even better experience with the SUV.

The 2013 Range Rover Sport is powered by a standard naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 motor. It is capable of pushing out a maximum of 375 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. The power plant is punchy and has enough oomph for both city and highway drives, and that too in an effortless manner. The rev-happy engine is mated to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission that drives all 4 wheels via a full-time 4WD system. Moreover, the system is equipped with Land Rover’s iconic Terrain Response system that almost perfectly adjusts the electronics, suspension, and the ECU for various terrain conditions such as mud, gravel, and snow, among others. Apart from being an excellent performer off the roads, the on-road dynamics of the SUV are praiseworthy too and the adaptive suspension system practically glides over almost all surfaces, offering true flagship-grade ride comfort.

The Audi Q7 gets a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6 under its hood that makes 272 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Among the rivals here, it is the most relaxed and least off-road friendly SUV, making it an ideal city vehicle. The BMW X5 is a potent performer here with a 3.0-liter V6 heart. It develops a healthy 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. On the handling aspect, it is more athletic than it looks and is the quickest accelerating SUV among the competitors here, taking 6.8 seconds to the 60mph mark. The Porsche Cayenne is the sportiest SUV here with car-like handling yet offering a pliant ride quality. It also has the highest top speed here too.

Luxury midsize SUVs and fuel economy always have that oil and water relationship and the 2013 Range Rover Sport is no different either. Moreover, the massive 5.0-liter V8 guzzles more than its peers as well. On average, the vehicle returns a mere 13mpg of city mileage and 18mpg of highway mileage. The combined number is set at 15mpg only. It gets a 23-gallon gas tank but struggles to even offer a 300-mile city driving range.

The Audi Q7 might disappoint here with its performance and power figures yet, its fuel economy numbers are a treat. It offers 16mpg of city mileage and 22mpg of highway mileage along with 18mpg of combined mileage. The BMW X5 and the Porsche Cayenne are identical in terms of mpg numbers while the former offers marginally better driving range numbers.

The 2013 Range Rover Sport’s interior is the second-best bit of the SUV after its iconic Terrain Response system. The cabin exudes opulence with high-quality materials, premium wooden inlays, and metallic trims along with glossy lacquer accents as well. The front seats offer excellent comfort and the convenience of full electronic adjustability. The rear seats get a unique stadium-like seating position that offers the same level of exterior view as the front seats but eats up the headroom. However, the comfort levels are excellent on the rear seats. The dashboard layout is user-friendly and practical, while the wide center console might look busier than usual owing to the controls and the gear selector placement.

The Audi Q7 has the most disappointing cabin here owing to its overall cramped feeling inside. The headroom and legroom on offer are decent and at par with the rivals here but the rear seats feel cramped with three occupants on board. The BMW X5 is the most practical SUV here and is quite feature-rich too. It might lack the elegance of the Range Rover SPort’s cabin yet, its rear-seat headroom and space make up for it. The Porsche Cayenne has the sportiest and the busiest cabin here. Its dashboard layout is practical but the center console with a myriad of buttons might confuse and distract while driving.

Some standout interior features are:

• Power-operated front seats with driver’s memory settings
• Premium leather upholstery
• Power-operated tilt-and-telescopic steering
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Premium wooden interior trim

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system of the 2013 Range Rover Sport offers a 5-inch touchscreen display that runs a backdated and lethargic user interface. However, it makes up for it with the handsome number of features on offer such as satellite radio, a CD Player, USB and iPod integration, navigation system with off-road tracking, and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming capabilities. The audio system is an 11-speaker Harman Kardon unit, while the optional 17-speaker unit offers a true surround sound experience.

Some infotainment features are:

• 5-inch touchscreen display
• Bluetooth phone and audio
• USB/iPod integration
• HD Radio
• Satellite radio
• Navigation with off-road tracking

On the outside, the 2013 Range Rover Sport looks quite identical to the bigger Range Rover SUV courtesy of its identical exterior styling and design theme. The overall appeal of the SUV would appear to be chunky from the front end and the square-ish headlamp units with round LED running lights adorn the sleek front grille nicely. From the side angle, the design is quite forgettable and the rear end looks nothing special either. The vehicle has a towering ground clearance of 8.9-inch, allowing it to tackle almost any terrain condition.

The Audi Q7 looks like a big and beefy station wagon owing to its elongated body while its front end looks quite striking due to the aggressive grille design. Even though it has a solid ground clearance of 8.1-inch, its long wheelbase restricts its off-roading capabilities. The BMW X5 has a smart and elegant yet a bit sporty front-end look, while from the sides there’s nothing worth mentioning. It also benefits from an 8.3-inch ground clearance and can tackle tough terrains decently. The Porsche Cayenne is the most bland-looking SUV here if it is judged on the basis of aggressiveness, yet the elegance of traditional Porsche design is unmistakable.

Some standout exterior features are:

• 19-inch wheels
• Sunroof 
• Bi-xenon headlights
• Fog Lights
• Power-folding mirrors 
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers

The 2013 Range Rover Sport has not been crash-tested yet, hence its safety ratings are unavailable. However, its generous list of safety techs and a robust build make it one safe vehicle for everyday use as well as while out on adventure trips. The safety techs include hill-descent control, stability control with rollover protection, anti-lock brakes, a rearview camera, and full-length curtain airbags.

Some important safety features are:

• Anti-lock braking system(ABS)
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Stability control with rollover protection
• Hill-descent control
• Front and rear parking camera
• Rearview camera

The Range Rover Sport is aimed at offering a completely luxurious experience alongside excellent off-roading prowess as well. The strengths of the SUV such as a plush cabin and strong performance also add to the overall experience with the vehicle. However, the drawbacks such as a poor fuel economy and questionable reliability of Land Rover might act as a deal-breaker for some buyers. Hence, if you’re okay with the reliability and the fuel economy part, the Range Rover Sport is the best choice in the segment.