2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Land Rover invented the luxury SUV when it started importing the Range Rover to the U.S. in the 1980s. Before that, rugged and capable Land Rovers were going where no vehicles had gone before, from the desert to the Arctic. Despite off-road prowess, the brand gained notoriety for building SUVs that broke down frequently and expensively. Even today, the brand retains its reputation, as Consumer Reports’ reliability data confirms. Used Land Rovers are risky purchases. Still, the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport offer comfortable interiors, powerful engines, and a presence that makes them popular choices for Hollywood stars and British aristocrats alike. The Defender has matured into a luxe off-roader, losing some charm but gaining creature comforts. The brand is now part of Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata, a conglomerate based in India.

Shorter, lower, sportier, and more affordable than its Range Rover sister, the Range Rover Sport trades some of the ride comfort of its sister ship for outstanding performance on pavement. Remarkably, it does so while holding on to the off-road capability expected of a Range Rover. An aluminum unibody makes this version lighter than its predecessor, which improves performance and fuel economy. Supercharging was introduced for the V8 engine and a supercharged V6 engine option was added. Though well equipped in its base configuration, blind spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system are highly recommended options. The 2016 update brought a diesel powerplant and handsfree operation for the tailgate.  2018 model brings updated exterior and interior, featuring the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. For 2019, an inline six-cylinder engine replaces the original V6. Also, a plug-in hybrid version is new. Other new features include Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility.