Land Rover Range Rover Sport review

Overview

This is the second-generation, pre-facelift Range Rover Sport, specifically the UK 2017-model-year HSE Dynamic with the 306 PS SDV6 and two rows of seats. The 2017 registration plate alone does not prove the build specification, and later facelift technology is not included here. Its case for buying is strongest when one car must carry adults comfortably over distance, handle an unmade approach and tow when required. Think of it as a versatile premium SUV first and a driver's car second. The used price is only the starting point: a clean build history, specialist support and money set aside for repair are prerequisites.

Exterior and interior

The lower roof and swept tail make the Sport look less formal than its full-size sibling, but the body is still broad enough to make UK parking a real consideration. Dynamic trim has its own detailing and typically sits on larger wheels than an ordinary HSE. Check each rim for damage before assuming the occasional steering tremor is harmless. The high driving position makes the front of the car easier to place than the size suggests, while the centre console separates the two front occupants. Try the seat adjustment, steering-column movement, door seals and tailgate with the car stationary; expensive trim can hide everyday wear.

Practicality

Land Rover lists 784 litres with the rear seats upright in five-seat configuration and about 1.12 metres between the wheel arches. The number is its period loadspace measurement and is not interchangeable with a newer below-cover or standard block figure. The Sport was offered with an occasional extra row, but do not shop this review as a seven-seater. For a family trip, bring the pushchair or largest case and try it with the second row in your preferred position. Mirrors extended, the brochure lists more than 2.2 metres of width. Before putting down a deposit, measure the garage entrance and the space needed to open both rear doors.

Driving experience

A Sport should feel tidier on a sweeping A-road than a full-size Range Rover, not small or light. The air suspension and upright seating make more sense on an uneven rural lane or a long motorway stint than in a tight town centre. On larger wheels, the first reaction to a sharp broken surface can be more noticeable than the settled ride that follows. Test it cold, in a tight parking manoeuvre and over a road with repeated bumps. Listen for knocks and watch for steering pull. A well-sorted example on appropriate tyres is a fairer guide to the design than one with mismatched rubber or neglected suspension.

Performance

The 3.0-litre V6 diesel makes 306 PS, about 302 bhp, and 700 Nm in Land Rover's period brochure. The eight-speed automatic drives all four wheels. The manufacturer quotes 7.2 seconds to 100 km/h, approximately 62 mph; that is not a 0–60 mph claim. The draw is its response with passengers and luggage, not chasing a stopwatch. The handbook and vehicle plate govern towing, and advertised maxima are not proof that your trailer and payload fit simultaneously. If that is the intended use, get the exact limits and towbar paperwork checked before purchase and drive away if the automatic shunts or hesitates unusually on an ordinary test.

Fuel economy

The period combined test quotes 40.4 imperial mpg for the non-hybrid SDV6 under NEDC. Treat it as a comparison between contemporary variants, not a typical trip result or a WLTP figure. We use 31 mpg for planning rather than claiming a RoadMatch measurement. At ten thousand miles and £1.55 per litre, a drop from 31 to 27 mpg would add roughly £340 over a year. Short journeys, winter, big tyres and towing can change the outcome substantially. If the daily use is almost entirely urban, consider whether the size and diesel aftertreatment fit the job. Check clean-air zone eligibility by registration.

Reliability

The cheaper cars are not necessarily the cheapest to own. Start with itemised invoices and look for gaps around big mileage intervals. A specialist should consider the V6 diesel's history, evidence of belt work, cooling-system condition, air suspension and electronic faults. Do not treat a recently cleared warning or a seller's verbal account as evidence that an expensive problem is solved. Check that the car starts cold, sits level after parking and behaves normally once warm. Buy on the condition of the actual car rather than the trim badge. Our limited-confidence judgement reflects financial exposure and evidence limits, not a measured probability that this engine will fail.

Safety

No exact Euro NCAP assessment was verified for this UK 2017 Range Rover Sport specification. The later Sport and the full-size Range Rover cannot provide a substitute score. Land Rover's period handbook material describes front, side and curtain airbags, belt pretensioners and ISOFIX mounting points. Check that the restraints and fixings suit the child seats you actually use. Driver assistance depends on the individual build and is not evidence of crash protection. Use the government recall checker with the registration, then ask Land Rover to confirm completed or outstanding work by VIN. Have an inspection check past repair and airbag warning history.

Technology and features

The 2017 model-year update brought the wider InControl Touch Pro display, a more useful reference than a dealer's generic specification table. The HSE Dynamic builds on HSE comfort and parking equipment, including heated seats and a rear-view camera. Adaptive rather than ordinary cruise control needs confirmation. Connect the phone you own, test Bluetooth and any claimed smartphone projection, and do not assume a wider factory screen means CarPlay or Android Auto. Run the reversing camera, every parking sensor and the navigation through a real demonstration. Cold screens, slow response and a faulty camera can be difficult to spot in photographs and costly to put right later.

Running costs

Our £10,000–£19,000 purchase band is an editorial planning estimate for November 2026, not a valuation or live-advert average. Ten thousand miles at our assumed 31 mpg and £1.55 per litre is roughly £2,270 in fuel. Illustratively allow £350 for tax and £1,200–£2,000 for routine service, MOT, tyres and wear, giving around £3,800–£4,650 a year before insurance, depreciation, finance or major repairs. Tax depends on the actual first-registration date and car, and security requirements can affect your insurance quote. Ask a specialist for upcoming work and price a suitable policy before negotiating. Keep a separate contingency large enough for a significant fault.

Advantages and disadvantages