2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Reviews, Pricing & Specs

If the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover had a few less plates of bangers and mash, it would be the 2011 Range Rover Sport, which is a bit...

If the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover had a few less plates of bangers and mash, it would be the 2011 Range Rover Sport, which is a bit smaller and a bit more maneuverable, while still maintaining much of the same image as its larger brother.

It costs less than the 2011 Range Rover, in part because it isn't based on the same platform. The 2011 Range Rover Sport looks a lot like a Range Rover, but is actually based on a smaller midsize platform, although its engines are the same as the bigger model's: one naturally aspirated V8 with 375 horsepower and one supercharged V8 with 510 horsepower.

The looks of the 2011 Range Rover Sport are designed to differentiate it from the Range Rover, and include 20-inch, 15-spoke alloy wheels, a more aggressive front fascia, and new LED turn signals. The wheels are wrapped in low-profile tires as well.

Moving to the inside, all trims include a standard DVD navigation system, a 5-inch touchscreen display for the instruments, an optional DVD changer in the rear, and satellite radio. The rear seats afford visibility similar to the front seats in most other SUVs, thanks to stadium-like seating similar to that found in movie theaters. The display in the dashboard has also led to a cleaned-up dashboard that reduces the number of buttons for the driver or front seat passenger to manage.

The 2011 Range Rover Sport carries similar safety features to other Land Rover SUVs, including antilock brakes, side impact and side curtain airbags for front seat occupants, and front and rear parking sensors. Prospective buyers can opt for adaptive cruise control that bases speed on a sensor reading of other cars on the road. Since it rides higher than other SUVs, rollover mitigation technology is standard.

Trim options include the Luxury package for the base HSE trim as well as the Supercharged model. The HSE Luxury package includes automatic high beams, heated front and rear seats, and improved upholstery. The 2011 Range Rover Sport Supercharged includes the more powerful engine, F1-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and an improved suspension system. Satellite radio is standard in the Supercharged.

The 2011 Range Rover Sport presents a conundrum for both its owners and reviewers. Compared to the high-end Range Rover, it's smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable, especially in tight city driving. It also costs thousands of dollars less, making it attractive to buyers who want the cachet of a Range Rover and its distinctive looks without the hit to the wallet.

On the other hand, it is an SUV based on the old LR3, which means its handling isn't as crisp as car-based models, and it's not a slimmed-down Range Rover so much as it is a midsize Land Rover with an updated exterior. This may not bother most buyers, however, and the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport fits a niche between the 2011 Land Rover LR4 and the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover.