Comments on: 2009 Range Rover Sport Review & Road Test

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:35:51 +0000

“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.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:30:29 +0000

@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.

By: Frytte

Frytte — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:48:59 +0000

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!

By: Bails

Bails — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:35:45 +0000

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.

By: Twilight

Twilight — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:52:27 +0000

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.

By: FRUGAL-ONE

FRUGAL-ONE — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:49:39 +0000

TheKing!

Before, now and always.

Cheers

F-0

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:51:54 +0000

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.

By: Twilight

Twilight — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:38:40 +0000

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 =]

By: Mr B

Mr B — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:14:34 +0000

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.

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:16:25 +0000

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.