2009 Range Rover Sport Review & Road Test

Pros: Styling, handling, braking, power, economy, luxury, off-road ability - that about covers it, don't you think?

Cons: Trying to think of something ... okay, steering feel.

By Karl Peskett | April 07th, 2009

Add to shortlist

Price: $60,570 to $92,880

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	3.5
Comfort and Interior	4
Quality & Design	3.5
Value & Features	3.5
Safety	4
Green	2

2009 Range Rover Sport Review & Road Test

Will it rove the ranges, or the racetrack?

Model Tested:

2009 Range Rover Sport TDV8 – $118,900

Options:

Active Rear Differential $1060
Sunroof $3170
Digital/Analogue TV $1590
Premium ICE $2060
Front PDC $900
Active Cruise Control $5300
Tow Pack $530
Premium Leather $2640
Cool Box $790
Phone Intergration $2650
Folding mirrors $900
Metallic Paint $1800

CarAdvice Rating:

Photography by Karl Peskett & David Preston

Effortless, the dictionary definition is “requiring or involving no effort; displaying no signs of effort; easy”.

When you think of shifting two-and-a-half tonnes of weight from a standstill, effortless is not something that normally would come to mind. For example, imagine a pallet stacked with 60 bags of concrete. Now, attach some wheels to it, grab some ropes, and try and pull it.

Not a job for the weak, or underpowered, but that’s exactly what Range Rover’s 3.6-litre V8 does. It does it while accelerating from standstill to 100km/h in a smidge over nine seconds, too. It’s a task that it will continually do, day in, day out, never, ever feeling flustered.

You’ve gotta admire that lazy, effortless push, but there’s more to love about the engine. It has a deep, bass, V8 growl, that fills the cabin with a delicious rumble, but never gets too boomy. While it lets you know in no uncertain terms that it’s there for a purpose, it can also be sedate when you back off and just cruise.

Stick the boot in though for an overtake, and the growl reappears, along with a relentless shove. There’s the briefest of pauses when it changes gear, but then it’s on again, building solid speed, taking kilometres in its stride. It’s an enslaving experience.

While it’s all well and good to have a rocketship under the bonnet, if it falls over when it nears the first bend, there’s little point. Don’t worry though, because Range Rover has got that one sorted.

The suspension work done to the Sport is truly awesome, with the massive weight transfer quickly absorbed by the air suspension and mighty stiff springs. For a big car, the chassis has brilliant balance, so much so, that on our last Full Throttle video, a Sport was chosen for the challenging job of keeping up with a pair of Aston Martins through windy mountain roads.

After that experience, any doubts as to how well a four-wheel-drive should handle were quickly dispelled. Directional changes were only felt by the luggage crashing about in the back, and the passenger searching the glovebox for a sick bag.

It’s a svelte handler, but if we’re honest, the steering could use more feel while working the wheel. You tend to rely on the seat of your pants, rather than info through the tiller, which is a tad disappointing with so much potential for velocity.

If you need to haul yourself up in a hurry, the Brembo brakes wash speed off in a most gratifying and eyeball dislodging way.

Still, it seems we’re talking in terms of a low-slung coupe here. Except we’re not, this is an off-road machine, and make no mistake, it’s not a pretender. The heritage of the company means that four-wheel-drive DNA has been conferred onto the Sport, and while it seems low enough to be categorised as a soft-roader, there’s little stopping the Rangie Sport when going bush.

We let the tyre pressures down to 16psi this time, fearing more reprimanding from an irate service manager. Even on 19-inch wheels, there was little risk of rolled tyres. The sidewalls showed little flex, so it was a little unnerving, wondering if we had gone low enough.

We needn’t have been concerned – the Sport just took it all in its stride. Even when it seemed like it was going to bog down, a little more push on the throttle and that everlasting surge of torque spun the revs up again, and the car just churned through the sand, always moving forward. In fact, there was nowhere it wouldn’t go.

The special program select still didn’t work quite well enough when pushing through the talc-like sand, as it would protest against any drifting sideways and clamp down. All that did was serve to slow you down, and hinder your progression uphill. On the flat beach areas it worked fine, but as soon as you wanted to climb, it was best to switch the programs off, along with the DSC.

However the Hill Descent feature worked a treat, even when on the steepest of slopes. Braking was carefully modulated by the ECU, all you have to do is steer. And yes, it works when in reverse, too.

Quite amazingly, too, we never had to resort to using low range, which can’t be said for most diesel off-roaders. There was so much power on tap that gearing was never an issue.

Okay, so we’ve discovered it’s blinding awesome on and off the road. Does that cover all bases? I mean, you’d also want it to transport you in style, comfort, etcetera, etcetera, especially when you’re forking out over one-hundred large ones. Well, it does.

The cabin is set up more like a cockpit, with an angled centre stack, armrests on both chairs, clear instruments, beautiful metal finishes on the console sides, and a high driving position.

The front seats are soft and comfortable, yet bolstered enough to set them apart from the Discovery’s pews. The option for finer leather certainly makes a difference to the feel, too.

Rear passengers will be fine with head and leg room, although they will sit more in a ‘knees up’ position than those in the front. The boot is also huge, but with the slanted rear glass, you won’t be putting in whole armchairs like the Discovery would swallow. That said, our oversized perambulator fit with ample room for luggage and sundry items.

So I’m still trying to get my head around this thing now. It’s brilliant on the road, it’s fantastic off it, it’s roomy, practical, well built, sounds awesome, goes well, and it’s full of luxury, too. Surely there has to be something not to like.

I’ve found it: I can’t afford one on a journo’s wage.

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

Specifications:

Engine: 3.6-litre V8 diesel
Power: 200kW@4000rpm
Torque: 640Nm@2000rpm
Induction: Twin turbocharged
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Differential/Driven Wheels: Elec Centre & Rear/All
Brakes: Ventilated Discs front and rear, Brembo calipers
Top Speed: 209km/h
0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds
0-400m: Not tested
CO2 Emissions: 294g/km
Fuel Consumption: 11.1-litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 84-litres
Fuel Type: Diesel
ANCAP Rating: N/A
Airbags: Six
Safety: ABS, EBD, DSC, TC
Spare Wheel: Full size
Tow Capacity: 750kg/3500kg (braked/unbraked)
Turning Circle: 11.6m
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Weight: 2675kg
Wheels: 19-inch alloy

Reader reviews of the RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER

Write a review for the RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER

Do you own this car? Share your opinion and add your own review below.

Add a New Review

Buck

There’s no question about the heritage of this machine and its off road competance BUT I’ve found something not to like…by comparison to the 3.0 litre Audi Q5′s 0-100 time of 6.5 seconds with its high tech seven speed DSG gearbox, the 9.2 seconds of this Range rover looks a little lathargic.

Also those options look expensive and then there’s the base price of the Audi Q5 which is heaps cheaper…..having said all that, I’d still be very happy to own what looks like a great package.
Frontman

Buck the Q5 may be quicker, but the Rangee will go where ever your heart desires. If you want a luxury car, an interstate tourer / blaster and a vehicle to get you right away from the madening crowd, then there is none better. Having used (earlier versions admittedly) off road, these things are the ducks bolt fastening devices!!
The Realist

Beautiful exterior – but they need a serious interior makeover. Compare that interior to an X5 or Q7…
Buck

Frontman,

“Ducks Bolt fastening devices” is that better than the ducks guts or just a funny way of saying it ?

Fair comment about the go anywhere and then of course there’s the wonderful air suspension which I’m sure would be an absolute pleasure to enjoy.

Still the new Q5 looks like a tasty alternative and a relative snip at $79,990 if you just want a really classy and quick soft roader, IMO.

Match either with the forthcoming XF-R supercharged Jaguar next to it, what a pair that would make in the garage !!
nobody

Absolutely love this car, would make me feel like a happy little kid driving in one especially with the go anywhere ability. Only drawback I can see if the horrid somewhat cheap looking cabin, doesn’t look like it belongs in a 100K car. But then who cares, won’t notice when you’re having so much fun.

Scott

@nobody – Don’t judge the Range Rover by the photo’s – have you sat in one lately? I own the latest model Audi A4 and when waiting for the paperwork to clear on the Audi, I went and sat in a few of the Range Rovers.. they are quite simply.. sublime to sit in. Down to the leather, the trim and the switch gear. Not to mention the HUD where the speedo usually is. I would argue (passionately, as I love my Audi) that Audi’s have some of the finest interiors available. But the RR beats it. Hands down.

Sam

Rangies are great! I remember being bogged in some really soft sand once and this old, old, Rangie came slowly by. They were fully laden with people and luggage, skinny tyres too. They stopped right next to us to ask if we were ok. I thought they had made a hyge mistake by stopping. No problem though, they just idled away on top the sand all the way. We all marveled at the rangies ability and the ease with which it traversed the deep sand cutting off the beach.
A new one must be quite impressive indeed.
Alex

Buck, your points are valid but the RRS isn’t a Q5 competitor. The Freelander is the Q5 competitor. The Sport is hardly a compact SUV. It’s much more of a Q7 competitor. However, the V6 TDI Q7 still manages to do 0-100 in 8.5 seconds and this is a V8 so they’ll need to do something about it eventually. The problem here is that the Sport weighs an awful lot. I think for this and the Discovery, Land Rover basically pressed two cars together underneath so it would be as versatile as it is. Still, 9.5 seconds isn’t too bad. You won’t be left behind in traffic.
Devil666

9.5 seconds will see you nose ahead of a Subaru Outback 2.5i manual, just. I wouldn’t apply a SPORT badge to that figure. EVER.

Interesting on the specs of the engine as well. BMW, Benz and Audi all have 3.0 turbo diesel sixes pushing 175+ kw and (for the Benz at least) 550nm+. BMW also has it’s twinturbo I6 rated @ 200kw.

To me that makes RR’s slightly-smaller-bore-but-two-extra-pistons-and-one-extra-turbo look a bit long in the tooth already.

I think the real question here is how big are the brakes? One crippling factor of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is that the brakes are too big to fit wheels smaller than 20″ and therefore fitting a set of big sidewall off road tyres is impossible.

P.S: Any future owners, insist on free extra warranty. 2nd or 3rd last on JD Power AGAIN this year; ahead of only Suzuki for reliability and Mini and Jeep for quality. Ouch.

Scott

“9.5 seconds will see you nose ahead of a Subaru Outback 2.5i manual, just. I wouldn’t apply a SPORT badge to that figure. EVER.”
- don’t you think you that’s relative?

The ‘Sport’ is badged as such compared to the other -RANGE ROVER- models available. Im sure its not meant to compare to a Lambourghini Murchielago.

Buck

Alex, fair comment about the size comparison however while we’re comparing apples with apples, from memory the V8 TDi Q7 has acceleration of around seven seconds to 100km’hr, and 240KW and 760nm, (which sounds distinctly more sporty to me), so I tend to think the addition of sport to a Range Rover 4WD with 9.5 second performance is either an oxymoron or a reference to its intended off road sporting credentials.

Still a great vehicle though with a fantastic pedigree. I certainly wouldn’t say no, (in british racing green with cream coloured leather of course) !!
ShaunL

If you wanna dip into the sevens for you 0-100 time then splash out on the V8 supercharged. The TDV8 is one of the “base” versions of the RRS.
Frontman

Gee I seem to be missing something here we are talking about a vehicle that is auite at home at Flemington in November, Indian Head in December & Thredbo in July all wlthout having to do any more than call up the valet cleaner! Going by some other manufacturers (ie sports wagon) claims this vehicle has every right to be called a Sports.
Alex

No I don’t understand why it’s called “Sport” either. It does handle well but it’s no Porsche and the 0-100 time is nothing to shout about.
The problem with this engine is that it was designed for the Vogue and the Vogue isn’t meant to go speeding off at the lights, it’s meant to cruise along.
ShaunL is wrong in saying that this is one of the base engines, this is Land Rover’s flagship engine in fact, but if you want a truly sporty Sport, get the 4.2 Supercharged petrol.
I don’t see how these things can be that unreliable. They use most of the same components that Jaguar do and Jaguar (I know, I couldn’t believe it either) just beat Lexus in US reliability surveys. And that’s for 2006 models so it’s even pre XF. But they use the same engines and I think the same electrics so it’s all quite confusing really.
CSK

Maybe I can help explain something.
If you build one of the greatest 4WD’s in history and call it the Range Rover and you then build its smaller sportier brother then you might call it the Range Rover Sport.
19″ is the minimum size to fit over the Brembos.
Now…go find a 4WD that will tow 3500kg with a 350kg ball down weight good clearance and a transfer case. You will find a very favoured fleet brand from Japan, then compare those 2.
If you want a better interior buy a Vogue Autobiography with Semi-Aniline Leather,all you have to do is pay.
Frontman: correct, you understand breadth of capability.
ShaunL: correct, second cheapest RRS
Buck: He means nuts, now it’s funny!
Gibbo

Awsome motor. However Id take a proper Range Rover Vogue over the Sport.
Cupid Stunt

Great car – but way too many around now to be obscure. Seems every subby we use at work drive s one even my bosss does. Yes agreed the interiors are awfull, designed with a straight edge and no french curves in sight. The back seat is one of the most uncomfortable I have sat in in a modern car as well.
Alex – as for reliability speak to my boss, his V8 spends more time being fettled by RR garage technicians than he does driving it. Simply loads of silly irritating glitches and once stranding him on the M1 motorway. So much so after 8 months he’s considering shooting it in for an X5.
Mr B

I own an O7 TDV8 with 18k kms on the clock and besides having irritating windscreen wiper blades replaced, have not had a problem in 18 months. Even still now i stand and admire this magnificant machine.
I just did a 400km round trip today and it is the most majestic, luxurious, effortless, comfortable & safe vehicle that i have ever had the pleasure to be in or drive. Yes it’s heavy around town (400-500 less kilos would be ideal) but on the Hwy you don’t mind/notice the weight as it feels unbelievably rock solid.
I get sick of my cars very quickly and start dreaming of my next car as the usual new car thrill wears off. But not on this car, i plan on owning this till the new model arrives. Please don’t make judgements of this car until you have driven it.
IMHO the only disapointing part of the interior is the cheap black middle console plastics (they look 10 years old). The rest of the car’s interior IMHO is quite luxurious. I sat in an X5 (my first choice) an i did not like the interior at all. It felt cheap to me and looked like a similiar design to most cars.
The interior of the sport is unique, you feel ensconced in the cabin as it feels like it raps around you. Not to mention the command driving position- you feel special as opposed to the Q7 & X5.
The thing that people seem to forget about the interior design is that it is Landrover DNA to have straight edges and the square look. That is the style of the vehicle inside and out. It is a macho 4wd car. If you want curves and the like every other car on the road have these. Landrover would not be Landrover without the boxy design inside and out.
In relation to it’s sporty pretensions the car is unbelievable on the road. It is never going to be quick off the mark due to it’s weight – even though it ‘feels’ a lot quicker to 100 Km/h than the stated figure. It is very quick and powerful when it is up and running and absolutely gobbles up the miles (which is what you want). Who really cares about 0-100 times in the real world when you are travelling long distances-you want torque. The engine is an absolute gem and the brakes/suspension setup is as good as-if not better-than you will find anywhere.
No one is serously claiming that this is a sports car – it is not- it is a sporty 4wd. Anyone who has an appreciation of the laws of physic would be rightly impressed at how something so substantial, heavy and tall could be made to perform in such a ‘sporty’ manner compared to other similar vehicles and yet still be awesome offroad – think about it.
The only thing that nearly stopped me buying the sport was the reputation Landrover had for reliability. But i did plenty of research and came to the conclusion that Landrover have been making considerable progess in improving this issue. Only time will tell.
Finally the x5, q7 and the like will never have the presence and pedigree of a Range Rover, Sport or even a Discovery. They have a history in 4wd , just like porsche has for sports cars.
I know it sounds silly but i can ‘feel’ and ‘sense’ it every time i step into my Sport. It just feels special & makes you feel good every time you drive it.
Twilight

i always thought it was called a ‘sport’ as it was smaller, sleeker, and more ‘nimble’ than its big brothere Vogue?

IMO, i would ALWAYS choose a Vogue over this. if someone said to me “choose any 2 4×4 in the world for yourself”, it’d be a black RR Vogue (SC-V8…) with white leather and black piping – yummo. and the new BMW X6M (in individual colour ruby black), with the red leather seats and dash, and bamboo inserts.

theyre just my 4×4′s =]
Alex

Wow Twilight, you sure know how to make a tasteless car (X6 M) even more so My Vogue is specced almost exactly as you want yours! I hope you get them one day.
FRUGAL-ONE

TheKing!

Before, now and always.

Cheers

F-0
Twilight

alex – yeh i know it’s a weird colour/trim combo, but it’d be different/unusual which is why i like it, lol. better option would prob be the BMW ‘individual’ pearl silver with the dark cocoa seats – actually yes, thats a better choice.
Bails

Well I think the RR Sport is just a bit to slow, consider V10 Touareg for less money and about the same go off road. Even the V6 TDi Touareg is quicker than the RR sport.

I have owned Range Rovers, Land cruisers, and a host of others. I love the RR driving position, and I especially like the car in winter , driving around the southern highlands area in winter,the car gives a nice secure sensation warm and protected inside.

Currently I drive the V10 Touareg, am yet to find an all rounder that I’d replace it with, as you can see I’m looking. I have driven the Touareg round Australia, out to the middle, all the off road tracks and side tracks one would want to travel on, it does it so well.

As for the RR I will wait and see if they add some ponies, and what the next update might be. I would have no problems owning one again, it would just have to be a bit better than this one.
Frytte

it all said and done! the new sport diesel is soon to be available to purchase… i wonder what the media had to sasy about it, now that it has been improved. all i can sasy about the older shape is: that is the best all rounder vehicle you can use for on road and off road trip confidently. the SC is a real sport while the TDV8 just works well for me.
own one, and you will understand why we love it!