2021 Range Rover Sport Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is, as the name suggests, the more athletic variant of the standard Range Rover. But what exactly makes it sportier? Is it really better than the Range Rover? Those are probably just a few of the questions you might be asking yourself now that you are looking into buying one.

Truth be told, the Range Rover Sport has a fair amount of pros and cons. For starters, a vehicle in this segment should have a better cargo capacity than the Range Rover Sport's maximum of 56.8 cubic feet. Trying to fit your camping gear in there is going to require a lot of maneuvering. Also, the Range Rover Sport has a history of negative customer reviews. If this model year is anything like the last few, its build quality could be below that of even your average economy vehicle.

On the positive side, the Range Rover Sport has a seriously cozy cabin that feels pretty spacious. Also, the handling feels secure, and the engines put forth some strong acceleration rates.

Could the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport be the vehicle for you, or should you pass it over? Read through this review to see what we like, what we would like to see get improved upon, and how this vehicle stacks up against the competition before we hand out our final verdict.

What's New for 2021?

Land Rover has not made too many changes to the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport line-up. There is a new air ionizer inside of the cabin, and there is a new HSE Silver Edition that joins the line. The HSE Dynamic can now be equipped with the Premium Black Pack appearance package that equips 21- or 22-inch wheels and black finishes on the exterior. The HSE Silver Edition gets standard diamond-turned finish on its 21-inch wheels and new silver exterior trim.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport – The Pros

1. A Comfortable Ride Quality

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport has a remarkably calm demeanor. The ride quality is designed for the utmost in comfort, which you should absolutely expect from a luxury vehicle like this. The suspension smooths out a lot of bumps. Also, when you flip Terrain Response into Auto mode, the system will smooth out a lot of bumps in the road. It dispatches bigger bumps pretty quickly, and smaller ones are hardly felt.

2. An Excellent Off-roader

The Range Rover Sport is known for being a workhorse in the luxury SUV segment. In fact, it is probably one of the most capable off-roaders in this class. The Terrain Response system is superb at helping this vehicle virtually glide over broken, rocky, mountainous terrain. The two transfercase also helps boost off-roading capabilities. The only thing that could be improved upon is the articulation of the wheels.

3. Swift Acceleration

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport has truly remarkable acceleration capability due to its powerful engine options. With the V8 on Autobiography and Supercharged Dynamic trim levels delivering 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, drivers can zero to sixty in an impressive 4.6 seconds or under with the SVR upgrade which provides a power boost for even faster speed bursts. This rare blend of performance is proof that SUVs don't have be slow.

4. Responsive Steering

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport combines its agile handling and responsive steering for an exhilarating journey, no matter the terrain. Its Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system dynamically adjusts to driving conditions so that you can maximize your on-road experience with precision maneuvering and unbeatable feedback. Get ready for a ride beyond expectations - it's built as if off-roading were in your nature.

5. Secure Handling

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport combines the best of both worlds. Its size and bulk offer secure handling, something rare for a luxury SUV its size; yet, it still handles with finesse that makes driving feel like a breeze - light as air compared to many competitors in its class.

6. A Quiet Cabin

Enjoy a serene journey in the Range Rover Sport, an SUV whose cabin is insulated to near perfection. By engineering this soundproof sanctuary on wheels, you can experience even the highest of highway speeds with absolute tranquility - until full throttle unleashes its pleasing growl. The competition will have difficulty matching such excellence.

7. The Touch Pro Duo System

Unlock next-gen convenience with the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system! Not only does this leading technology boast a modern look and feel to your vehicle's cabin, but high-quality graphics make usage easy on the go. Once you get familiarized with its innovative features, you'll be sure to enjoy driving - and connecting - like never before.

8. Plenty of Interior Storage Areas

Storage compartments abound inside of the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's spacious cabin. There is even a cooler box that you can opt for, and it works exceedingly well. Up front, you get plenty of compartments for storage smaller items, such as cell phones and sunglasses. The glove box has plenty of room inside of it, as does the bin under the center armrest.

9. A High Max Towing Capacity

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport has a max towing capacity of 7,716 pounds on most of its trim levels, which is one of the best ratings in its class. The SVR trim level's number drops to 6,613 pounds, which is still good. And the hybrids? They can tow up to 5,511 pounds without a problem. The Range Rover Sport's rivals will have trouble besting its capabilities when it comes to towing.

10. The Driver Aids Work Well

The Range Rover Sport is given several key standard driver aids. Automatic emergency braking comes with the forward collision warning, and lane departure warning comes standard as well. You can opt to add adaptive cruise control on if you want it. The only downfall is that many features are left as options. Still, they all work as they should and help keep you safe on the road.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport – The Cons

1. Limited Cargo Space

Cargo space is traded for interior space inside of the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. Its 24.8 cubic feet of cargo space that comes behind the rear seat can be maxed out to 56.8 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats down. This number trails behind the competition, so you will be able to easily find more spacious cargo areas in other vehicles in this segment.

2. Staggering Price Jumps

The Range Rover Sport makes a staggering jump in price as you go up the trim levels. Unfortunately, this luxury SUV delivers little value for its hefty cost; many standard features are missing and build quality is questionable at best. You might be better served investing in an economy vehicle that offers more bang for your buck.

3. It is Known for Having Electrical Issues

One of the things past Range Rover Sports are notorious for are electrical issues. Drivers have reported a wide array of problems, from the vehicle stopping dead in its tracks on a busy highway to complex electrical issues that even corporate engineering has trouble figuring out. If the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is anything like its predecessors, this could spell 'trouble' for buyers.

4. Repairs are Expensive

Repairs to Range Rover Sport vehicles can be downright expensive - and frequent. The 2021 line-up could follow suit with previous iterations, so if repairs are needed, they could make the vehicle more expensive to own than you might like.

How it Stacks Up to the Competition:

2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs. 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Range Rover Sport offers a powerful 355 hp base engine and standard all-wheel drive, while the BMW X5 provides a more on-road oriented 335hp experience. Both vehicles feature luxurious interiors with advanced tech features, as well as up to date safety standards - though only the X5 has been tested for those awards so far. When it comes to cargo room however, the Range Rover prevails – offering 27.5 cubic feet behind its second row (59.5 folded), compared to 33..9 of space in an unaltered state for an equivalent version of the BMW X2 -- proving that sometimes luxury can measure out quite literally.

2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs. 2021 Lexus LX 570

Get ready for power and luxury with the 2021 Range Rover Sport and Lexus LX 570! The former has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine offering 355 horsepower at 19/22 mpg fuel economy, while the latter has an impressive 5.7 liter V8 producing 383 hp coupled with 12/16 mpgs of efficiency - not to mention seating up to 8 passengers in its traditional cabin design. Plus, each comes equipped with standard features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning – all without compromising on cargo space (27.5/59 ft³ or 16./41′ /81ft³ respectively). These SUVs provide unparalleled performance potential that can now be tested as they are both IIHS rated vehicles too.

Final Thoughts

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is an elegant powerhouse, offering a luxurious cabin and modern tech features combined with unrivaled off-road capability. However, such advanced technology comes at the cost of limited cargo space - making it less than ideal for longer trips or larger family outings. If you find yourself in need of that much power and comfortability though, there truly is no alternative; just make sure to consider all factors involved before taking the plunge.