How reliable is the Range Rover Sport?
Hi. I am considering a 2006/07 Range Rover Sport. Some say they give mechanical trouble and can be expensive to repair. What is your opinion?
Jim Cowan (Donegal)Nov 2012 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
There's no doubt that the Range Rover Sport (like all big SUVs) are harder on their tyres and brakes than an average car. Parts aren't cheap either and fuel consumption, even on the diesel models, is relatively high - though again, normal for the class.
Early examples were the subject of three recalls concerning brakes, the transmission and rear seat belt buckle, but once the car you're looking at has had those things recitified there shouldn't be an issue. The Range Rover Sport has a below average reputation for reliability, but we know people with faultless examples as well, so perhaps some buyers have been unlucky. Issues seem to come mostly from the electrics and the suspension so check everything is in working order and best to have some form of warranty from the dealer.
If you need more detailed help please do get in touch.
Which manual, diesel 4x4s are good?
What is the best type of 4x4 with a manual transmission and diesel engine?
Aidan Kelly (Kildare)Jun 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
Without knowing your budget and what your needs with regards to towing etc. are it's difficult to give a precise answer, but as a starting point, and in alphabetical order:
None of Audi's Q models are really suited to heavy off-road work, though the Q5 and Q7 are fine towing machines. Not that you'll find a Q7 with a manual gearbox.
Same story with BMW's X models. Fine for towing. You'll have to seek out an older X5 if you want a manual transmission though.
Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai ix35: fine road cars.
Hyundai Santa Fe: depending on age and spec can be quite good off-road and as a tow car.
Hyundai Terracan: horrible beast of a thing, but it is big...
Hyundai Tucson: more car-like than most 4x4s.
Isuzu Trooper: hard as nails, durable workhorse.
Jeep Cherokee: good workhorse, but raucous on the road.
Jeep Compass: really not that great on the road despite its 'crossover' image.
Jeep Grand Cherokee: surprisingly good depending on age.
Jeep Patriot: a Compass with more upright bodywork...
Jeep Wrangler: tough, great off-road, but not so good on it.
Kia Sorento: first generation a tough tow car; latest more road-biased.
Kia Sportage: fine road car - especially the latest one.
Land Rover Defender: same comments as Jeep Wrangler above.
Land Rover Discovery: one of the very best all-rounders - newer versions way better.
Land Rover Freelander: good mix of on-road behaviour with all-road ability, but others at price better.
Range Rover line-up: luxurious regular model not bad off-road, Sport great to drive on-road and Evoque not really a 4x4 despite the badge.
Mazda CX-5: new SUV in the crossover mould - lovely on the road, where it should stay.
Mercedes-Benz M-Class: see BMW X5 comments.
Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander: very much road cars.
Mitsubishi L200/Pajero/Shogun: durable, strong, tough, but also rough and unrefined - proper 4x4 system though.
Nissan Navara/Pathfinder: see L200 etc. above...
Nissan Qashqai: a road car, even in 4x4 guise.
Nissan Terrano: old-school 4x4.
Nissan X-Trail: pretty good mix of attributes.
Opel Antara: road car - and not a good one.
Peugeot 4007, Renault Koleos, Skoda Yeti: just road cars.
SsangYong Actyon/Kyron/Rexton: rough and ready tow machines.
Subaru Forester: more a road car, though later one pretty good.
Subaru Outback/XV: road cars - nice ones.
Suzuki Grand Vitara: not bad as an all-rounder - relatively cheap and cheerful.
Suzuki SX4: car with 4x4 mechanicals.
Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser: enviable reputation for toughness and reliability, though not very civilised.
Toyota RAV4: good road car, ok tow car.
Volkswagen Amarok: good all-rounder, though just a pick-up.
Volkswagen Tiguan: lovely road car, but most models so-so off-road.
Volkswagen Touareg: high quality car that's a good all-rounder.
Volvo XC60/XC90: good road cars - not for off-road.
So come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through a purchase.
Volvo XC90 or Land Rover Discovery?
Hi lads,
I need a seven-seat car and am looking at a 2005 Volvo XC90 D5 and a 2005 Range Rover Discovery 3 2.7D. Both are similar price and mileage. Which is best for safety, reliability and running costs? And it will never go off-road, just up on footpaths!
Thanks
Justin McElwee (Galway)Mar 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Justin,
It's not surprising to hear that the car won't go off-road - few do!
In terms of safety, the 2005 Volvo trumps the Discovery with a better Euro NCAP crash test rating.
The Volvo has a marginally better reliability record too, though most Discovery problems (affecting electrics and software) seem to apply to individual cars. Saying that it's worth ensuring its air suspension is in perfect working order. On the XC90 the injectors can play up, and they're expensive to repair, so get suspicious if the car doesn't start quickly.
Evidence points to the Volvo having the lower running costs too, with slightly better fuel economy and of course lower annual road tax due to the smaller engine. Maintenance will be costly enough in both cases, as could be insurance.
In cold hard facts it looks like the Volvo wins this battle Justin, but we'd not be put off the Discovery so easily - it's a great all-rounder as well.
Let us know how you get on.
What luxury car suits a short driver?
Hi,
I am 163 centimetres tall (5 foot 3 inches). I am realy confused about my dream cars and I want to know if they suit me or not. One of these cars is the BMW 750iL. The second one is the Range Rover Sport Supercharged.
What do you think?
Tariq Konounah (Khartoum)Jul 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tariq,
Given that these cars would both have electric seats with a full range of motion, your height will not be an issue. Perhaps the Range Rover would provide better visibility.
Either way, your height shouldn't be any sort of factor in what car you choose as most are designed for a wide range of driver sizes.
How safe is a Range Rover?
I recently had a baby, which has inevitably given me a different perspective on various aspects of my life such as the safety credentials of my car. I've convinced myself that my Range Rover is one of the safest cars on the road, but I don't know if its NCAP rating backs this up? I often hear that large SUVs are more likely to turn over in an accident compared to the standard car but I don't know if this is true or just scaremongering?
Phillip Cawley (Avoca, Wicklow)May 2010 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Family drivers have this instinct to cocoon them in as much metal as possible for fear of being in an accident so I understand where you are coming from.
The NCAP rating you mention is the European New Car Assessment Programme where the safety of cars is tested by crashing them into walls and pillars and all sorts under strict repeatable conditions. It's been a while since the Range Rover has been crash tested by the organisation, eight years in fact, so it was the first generation of the current Range Rover model and it managed four stars in the test. In summary, the model was good at protecting those in the car, but not those outside it. NCAP said in their report at the time:
"The Range Rover has an immensely strong body that provides for its occupants safe, well balanced protection in severe frontal and lateral impacts. Each of its doors could be opened normally after the tests and the amount of intrusion was slight. However, the driver experienced fairly high impact forces on his chest and, in a real crash, these pose a risk of injury. The child restraints worked well generally. But, unfortunately, the level of protection given to pedestrians proved to be dire."
The 2010 model is quite different from the 2002 version and is loaded with safety kit. Four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes are standard, as is all-terrain traction control. Additionally, an adaptive cruise control system with Brake Assist will alert the driver if the car in front of the Range Rover starts to decelerate. When the system detects a crash is imminent, it primes the brakes so less force is required from the driver to apply full braking power. If no action is taken by the driver, the system will lightly apply the brakes to lessen the severity of the impact.
When it comes to airbags, the 2010 Range Rover is practically stuffed with them. In the front row there are front, side and side curtain airbags, plus a driver's knee airbag. In the second row, side-curtain airbags are standard.
Hope that all helps put your mind at ease.