2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport ReviewThe 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers a commanding driving position and elevated stadium seating, which give both driver and passengers a clear view of the road. The dash is simple and elegant, with minimalist switchgear that requires little driver input. However, many of the buttons look alike, and some are tricky to reach. The soft, supple leather seats will fit four adults comfortably, although a fifth could squeeze into the center rear seat if need be. Taller occupants might find themselves with limited headroom and could feel as if the rear headrests dig into their backs if not raised. Cargo space maxes out at 71 cubic feet, which is average for this class. However, the Sport's sloping rear glass limits the ability to load large or bulky items.
WalkaroundThe 2008 Range Rover Sport is a midsize SUV available in HSE and Supercharged trim levels. The HSE comes standard with 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, an adjustable air suspension, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, power front seats with driver memory settings, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a navigation system and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 stereo with a six-CD changer and an auxiliary jack. An optional Cold Climate package includes a heated windshield, heated washer jets and heated front and second-row seats. A Luxury package includes the cold climate package and adds adaptive headlights, walnut trim, premium leather upholstery and a cooler box. The Supercharged trim comes standard with 20-inch wheels, Brembo front brakes (both of which are optional on the HSE) and everything on the HSE with the luxury package plus a unique grille and upholstery, satellite radio and the Dynamic Response suspension system, which enhances on-road and off-road handling. The HST Limited Edition package adds different 20-inch wheels, a unique grille, an extended rear roof spoiler, specialized front and rear bumpers, adaptive cruise control and exclusive leather upholstery. Stand-alone options include a rear differential lock, various wheel styles, upgraded leather upholstery and a rear-seat entertainment system with LCD screens mounted in the front headrests. Adaptive cruise control is optional on the Supercharged only.
SummaryA hefty curb weight keeps the base HSE Range Rover Sport from winning any awards, whether on the drag strip, through the slalom or at the gas pump. The torquey Supercharged version, however, does a much better job living up to the Sport's higher-performance image. In our opinion, this is the only trim level that can truly match the performance of the Sport's highly capable competitors. The 4.2-liter V8 offers plenty of power, and the Sport's chassis and suspension deliver a smooth ride and responsive handling -- thanks in part to the Dynamic Response system.
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