Introduced in 2006 and completely overhauled in 2014, the all-wheel drive Land Rover Range Rover Sport received two new engines in 2016. It sits squarely in the middle of the Land Rover collection, offering a logical step up from the entry-level Evoque, while keep its distance from the full-size Range Rover.
What's New for 2017
Changes for 2017 include a fresh range of 19 available colors from Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division. You’ll also find a new 10.2-inch infotainment center screen powered by InControl Touch Pro software. Three driver assist features are now standard across the board: lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and automatic emergency braking.
Choosing Your Range Rover Sport
Three engine choices are available on the 2017 Range Rover Sport: two run on gasoline, and one is a turbodiesel.
Base models are powered by a 3-liter supercharged V6 engine making 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, offering a zero-to-60 mph time of just under seven seconds. Models equipped with the standard engine get an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
A 5-liter supercharged V8 engine is available, making 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, offering a zero-to-60 mph time of about five seconds. A high-output version of this engine is included in the SVR model and makes 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This version delivers a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. All that power has a downside, however, as the EPA rates this model at 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.
Also available is a 3-liter turbocharged diesel engine making 254 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. By far, the diesel offers the best fuel economy, coming in at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
All three engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Depending on the trim level, the 2017 Range Rover Sport offers a variety of options. They include a fixed side steps ($1,485), power-deployable side steps ($3,613), and third-row seating ($2,750). Also available is a Vision and Convenience package ($1,400), a rear entertainment system($2,000), a Driver Assistance package ($2,900), and a Climate Comfort and Visibility package ($2,900).
Prices can jump in a hurry as move up to the trim levels. Choose the HSE and opt for seven-place seating along with adaptive cruise control, and your final price should stay below $80,000. That’s still well below the price of a comparably equipped Range Rover.