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Premium midsize SUV; Built in England
  • 4-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $22,000 – $40,500*


2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport


2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport


2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport


2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Pros:
  • Acceleration (Supercharged)
  • Cargo room
  • Quietness
  • Front-seat comfort
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Ride comfort (Supercharged)

Land Rover’s midlevel model isn’t as outright swift as most similar-priced high-performance SUVs. Discriminating shoppers will find the grade of interior materials lacking as well. But plaudits go to the Range Rover Sport for its adroitly balanced dynamics and mature personality, which create a vehicle with a distinct character in this category. Strong resale values translate to high secondhand prices, however.

Overview

This new five-passenger premium sport-utility vehicle filled a price gap between Land Rover’s LR3 and its ultraluxury Range Rover models. In fact, the all-wheel-drive Range Rover Sport was smaller than either, designed to compete with “high-performance” SUVs such as V8 versions of the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne, as well as Cadillac’s SRX.

Based on the seven-passenger LR3’s body-on-frame structure, the Range Rover Sport came as the HSE model with a 300-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8, and in Supercharged trim with a 390-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8. Both engines were sourced from Jaguar, which was owned by Land Rover’s parent company, Ford. A six-speed automatic with manual shift gate was the sole transmission.

All-wheel drive with low-range gearing was standard, and included Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, designed to automatically tailor AWD performance to specific off-road conditions. Also included were a height-adjustable air suspension, antiskid/traction control, and antilock four-wheel disc brakes.

The Supercharged model came with 20-inch wheels and Brembo-brand front brakes. On the HSE, 19-inch tires were standard and 20-inch optional. Both models contained front side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and a navigation system.

Standard on the Supercharged model and available for the HSE were wood interior trim, heated seats, and Land Rover’s Dynamic Response suspension system, designed to counteract body lean in turns. Satellite radio, wireless cell phone link capability, and rear DVD entertainment were options. Adaptive cruise control was available for the Supercharged edition.

Yearly Updates

2007 Range Rover Sport
A wireless cell phone link moved from the options list to standard equipment for 2007. Otherwise, little was new.
2008 Range Rover Sport
The 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport received a few new features including power-folding mirrors and a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel.
2009 Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport was largely unchanged.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive

Range Rover Sports had a choice of two V8 engines. In the HSE model, a 4.4-liter V8 developed 300 horsepower. Supercharged models held a 4.2-liter V8 that generated 390 horsepower. Both engines mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.

dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.4/268
Engine HP 300
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 315
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 14/19
Supercharged dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.2/256
Engine HP 390
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 410
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 13/18

Road Test

Though 0-60 mph acceleration times are middling compared to V8 Cayennes and X5s, the Range Rover Sport HSE never seems taxed in everyday driving, and the Supercharged model feels impressively strong. Land Rover claimed 8.2-second 0-60 mph time for the HSE, and 7.2 for the Supercharged model. A test Supercharged model performed that feat in just 6.7 seconds. Credit the transmission with shrewdly matching power delivery to demand.

Don’t expect to pass up too many gas stations. Test Supercharged models averaged a dismal 11.1-11.2 mpg in mostly city driving. Both engines require premium-grade fuel.

Each Sport model reacts firmly to bumps, in the manner of a European sport sedan. Low-profile 20-inch tires are less absorbent on pavement cracks and ridges than 19s, but aren’t jarring. What the Supercharged version relinquishes in ride cushioning versus the HSE, it recoups with outstanding stability over dips and swells.

Although no Range Rover Sport is as quick to react to steering inputs as an X5, they’re always secure, balanced, and grippy. Tails stay properly planted during swift, bumpy corners, but 20-inch tires are prone to wander along pavement grooves. Land Rover’s laudable Dynamic Response suspension quells undue body lean, and contributes to markedly faster cornering speeds versus an HSE lacking that system. Off-road, both models make good use of Terrain Response technology and the adjustable-height suspension to conquer deep sand and steep, rocky inclines.

Range Rover Sports impressively muffle wind and engine noise, but the 20-inch tires whine on coarse pavement.

Gauges are unobstructed, but a larger typeface would enhance legibility. Controls are grouped nearby in a “driver-focused” design, unlike other Land Rovers. Climate dials are big and obvious; and adjusting the navigation system is no burden. Unfortunately, considerable effort is required to sort out the multitude of other buttons and knobs. Setting the Terrain Response, hill-descent control, and related off-road gear easily bewilders the uninitiated. Cabins contain plenty of richly padded surfaces, but some materials disappoint. Wood is used too sparingly at these prices, and metal-look trim should be aluminum, not painted plastic. In the same vein, the flimsy sunroof shade panel and fuzzy fabric headliner are inappropriate for this class of vehicle. The sliding cupholder cover, made of cheap plastic, binds and crimps when opened or closed. One test Supercharged model suffered numerous squeaks, as well as a small leak from the sunroof after heavy rainfall.

Occupant’s heads get adequate front-seat clearance, but larger passengers lack wiggle room in the footwell, pinched by the wide center console and low dashboard housing. Firm, astutely contoured seats deliver great support and the driver is in excellent position. Still, premium-class prices merit powered, not manual, tilt/telescopic steering. Visibility is outstanding, and passengers enjoy no-fuss entry/exit. Rear headroom is good, but on long drives some adults may find the seatback too upright and the cushion length stingy. Leg and foot space are confined if front occupants don’t cooperate on seating position. Narrow door openings hamper rear entry/exit.

Cargo fits into a station-wagon-sized bay, with a one-piece liftgate and separate-opening window. A two-step rear-seat folding process creates a relatively long, flat load floor. Multiple console bins and a double-tier glovebox contribute to good small-item storage space.

Ratings

Model Tested: Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 3
30%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 5
50%
Cargo Room - 7
70%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 57

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
108.0 188.5 85.4 71.5
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
71.0 23.2 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.4 38.4 39.1 37.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Brake noise
Description: The parking brakes may make a squealing noise when applied or released for which improved parking brake shoes are available. (2006-07)
Coolant leak
Description: A low coolant level warning may illuminate because the float absorbs coolant and sinks. (2006)
Doors
Description: Rattling from the upper tailgate may be due to a loose ball fitting for the support strut or the ball fitting’s reinforcement welds may break. (2006)
Engine noise
Description: A noise (clunk) when the throttle is released and applied, that sounds like driveshaft play, is actually in the 4.4L engine powertrain control module program which must be flashed. (2006-07)
Exhaust system
Description: An internal leak in the compressor’s exhaust valve causes problems (and warnings) with the air suspension requiring compressor replacement and reprogramming of the system. (2006)
Steering noise
Description: Knocking noise from the steering column when going over bumps requires replacement of the steering intermediate shaft. (2005-07)
Water leak
Description: Water may leak onto the air suspension electrical connector at the left front fender causing problems with the suspension as well as electronic parking brake. (2006)
Water leak
Description: Various water leaks, most due to problems with roof drain tubes being kinked, pinched or improperly routed. (2006)
Transmission problems
Description: Transmission may exhibit a harsh downshift from second to first gear if the throttle is depressed at the time and the fix is reprogramming the transmission control module. (2006-07)
Accessory belt
Description: Chirping under the hood is caused by a bad accessory drive belt idler pulley. (2005-07)

Recall History

2005-06
Description: Airbag wiring may be fractured due to motion in the steering column. If an airbag wire fractures, the Safety Restraint System (SRS) warning light will illuminate on the instrument cluster. Dealers will insert spacers between the lower left-hand side of the column-switch mounting point and the column lock to improve the alignment of the column switch. Two foam pads will also be fitted to the top of the steering-column switch gear to provide assured clearance between the cowl and the clockspring face.
2006
Description: Seatbelt buckle mounting may be incorrectly built; when left second-row belt is used, buckle may not be fully retained.
2006
Description: Because of incorrectly-manufactured automatic-transmission parking pawl guide plate, “Park” may not engage when lever is placed in that position.
2006
Description: When ignition is switched off, after a period of time it may be possible to remove ignition key even if transmission lever is not in “Park.”
2006 w/9J 19-inch wheels
Description: During certain maneuvers with steering at full left lock and suspension moving towards full compression, left-front brake hose and/or ABS sensor lead and/or brake pad wear warning sensor lead could catch on wheel-balance weight, causing incorrect warnings and loss of one brake-system circuit.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 20, 2014.
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