Range Rover Sport Review (2013-2022)

If you had to name one company that knows luxury SUVs, then Land Rover likely wouldn’t be too far from your thoughts. The original Range Rover pretty much invented the much-copied genre and, in the face of newer rivals trying to get in on the action, the firm has retaliated by introducing a range of luxury off-roaders, such as the most recent Range Rover Velar, the Evoque, and of course, the Range Rover Sport.

Codenamed L494, the second-generation Range Rover Sport was launched in 2013, facelifted at the start of 2018, and phased out in 2022. A little smaller than the full-size Range Rover and with a sportier swept-back design, the Range Rover Sport competes with large premium five-seat SUVs, such as the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Like those rivals, the Rangie can also be specified with seven seats as an option, which also pits it against SUVs such as Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Not that it has the practicality of the Audi or Volvo, mind. Yes, there’s plenty of space in the rear seats and in the boot, but with seven chairs fitted rather than five, there isn’t as much space to go around as there is in rivals. That said, all versions have plenty of toys, and the plush cabin is really classy.

Many new buyers went for the seven-seat option, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one on the used market. The thing is, though, that the two rearmost seats are really only big enough for small children. What’s more, they fill the space where the spare wheel would otherwise live, meaning seven-seater Sports make do without.

It’d be overstating the case to say that the car truly delivers on the ‘Sport’ bit of its name, but it changes direction very neatly for something this big, and with air suspension as standard, it constantly delivers a smooth, settled ride.

So broad is its repertoire that it can feel like a luxury car one minute, then a well-sorted (albeit very tall) sports saloon the next. Of course, it's an enormous vehicle and takes a careful hand to guide down a narrow road, but that can be said of any large SUVs. Where the Range Rover Sport stands out is with the sense of occasion it adds to every drive when you’re behind the wheel.

You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that the Range Rover Sport is also awesomely capable off-road. The air suspension also allows a variable ride height to help with uneven terrain (as well as a self-levelling function for towing) and there’s a suite of clever electronic systems to help out in the most extreme conditions.

The engine line-up was pretty straightforward in the early part of the L494’s life. You could have a turbodiesel with either six- or eight cylinders, or if you really wanted to trouble your bank balance, a supercharged petrol V8 engine. Later, the powertrain line-up was bolstered by a pair of hybrids, as well as two smaller and more fuel efficient turbo petrol engines.

The trim levels available in the Range Rover Sport SUV varied throughout the car’s long life. Early on, the entry-level model was known as the SE, but even these are hardly sparse with their cruise control, air suspension, powerful sound system, leather upholstery, and electric seats.

Most cars were upgraded to HSE spec, ramping up the kit count to include front foglights, heated front seats, and posher leather while the loftier trims – including HSE Dynamic, Autobiography and Autobiography Dynamic – added even greater levels of luxury.

If you’re hoping to run a Range Rover Sport on a tight budget, you’ll be in for a swift and rude awakening. At most you can expect around 35mpg in mixed driving but go for one of the more powerful models and that’ll slip significantly (you probably won't see more than 20mpg from supercharged petrol V8s, and you'll get far less if you get carried away). Meanwhile, consumables such as tyres, brake pads and fluids will all be costly to replace. A full set of quality rubber for 22-inch wheels, for instance, could get close or into four figures.

The real cash drain, however, will be keeping on top of a Sport’s record for patchy reliability. If the car in question has slipped out of warranty, you should anticipate occasional trips to the dealer or your local specialist to have niggling faults put right at your own expense.

The key, then, is to consider if it's worth paying a little more than you’d hand over in a private sale and get yourself a Land Rover approved used car. These come with a minimum of 12 months of warranty, in which time there is no limit to the number of claims you can make nor any mileage restrictions (the warranty can be extended at additional cost). Approved cars also come with 24/7 roadside assistance for the same term. Land Rover also offers fixed price servicing for cars over three years old.

The L494 has rarely excelled itself in used car reliability surveys. One found that 60% of diesel-powered Range Rover Sports had suffered ‘major issues’, while another labelled it Britain’s least reliable used car. You would therefore be wise to make sure you’re covered by a warranty, ideally a manufacturer-backed one.

Most of the issues reported by owners are minor and fiddly rather than catastrophic. Sunroof and tailgate seals can leak, for instance, so you should check very closely for signs of water damage, or even pooling water in the case of the tailgate. Such faults should be put right by the dealership under warranty. There are reports, too, of the alignment of the boot and bonnet not being quite right, so make sure both closures sit flush to the rest of the bodywork and that they open and close smoothly.

The Land Rover touchscreen infotainment system has rarely been a match for those from Audi and BMW, but once you’ve learned its foibles it should be perfectly usable and offer all the functionality you’ll need, such as phone mirroring and satnav. Some owners report these systems freezing up and requiring a dealer reset, though.

These cars are capable of serious off-roading, but the vast majority will spend their lives on tarmac. Nonetheless, it’s worth checking the wheels and lower bodywork carefully for signs of damage that might have been picked up on rocky off-road tracks. These are tough machines, though, so minor imperfections should be used as a bargaining tool rather than reason to walk away.

Finally, check the logbook for correct adherence to the service schedule (a poorly maintained Range Rover Sport will be costly and infuriating) and check with the vendor or supplying dealer that all recall work has been properly carried out.