The Verdict
Comparing these vehicles is a little like apples and apples-similar in DNA and design, but divergent enough in taste to appeal to many palates.
For traditionalists, the new Range Rover offers all the creature comforts and off-pavement prowess the vehicle is known for, as well as a level of street performance previously unfamiliar to the marque. It also comes with a premium price tag: nearly $75,000 for the base-model HSE. It's rather a bit rich for our blood, but we suspect that for the typical Range Rover buyer, this would be of secondary concern.
The Rover Sport, however, ups the ante in the upscale sport-touring segment considerably, with Teutonic-level ride and handling characteristics on pavement, all the green-lane aptitude of the LR3, and a price that makes it an instant competitor: As one media wag put it, "For $60K and change, who would buy an X5 anymore?" Not the most tactful comparo, perhaps, but one we'd imagine would leave some Land Rover aficionados-and perhaps a few LR execs, in private-licking their chops with malicious glee. We'll have both vehicles in hand for our 2006 Four Wheeler of the Year test, coming in our February 2006 issue. They both figure to be serious playas-stay tuned for all the results.
| Quick Specs |
| Vehicle: | 2006 Range Rover HSE/SC |
| Base price: | $74,950/$89,950 |
| Engine: | Aluminum 90-degree AJ V-8 |
| Displacement (liters): | 4.4/4.2 |
| Bore x stroke (in.): | 3.47 x 3.56/3.39 x 3.56 |
| Aspiration: | Twin-impeller Eaton supercharger |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC/; 4 valves/cyl. |
| Max hp @ rpm: | 305 @ 5,750/400 @ 5,750 |
| Max torque (lb-ft) @ rpm: | 325 @ 4,000/420 @ 3,500 |
| Transmission: | Six-speed automatic |
| Ratios (:1) | 1st: 4.17
2nd: 2.34
3rd: 1.52
4th: 1.14
5th: 0.87
6th: 0.69
Rev: 3.40 |
| Transfer case: | Full-time two-speed |
| Low range ratio (:1): | 2.93 |
| Axle ratio (:1): | 3.73/3.54 |
| Crawl ratio (:1): | 45.57/43.25 |
| Suspension: | Four-wheel independent; double wishbones, adjustable air springs |
| Differentials: | Locking center; locking rear |
| Steering: | ZF Servotronic rack and pinion |
| Brakes, f/r: |
| HSE: | 13.5-in./13.9-in. Bosch four-channel |
| SC: | 14.2-in. Brembo/13.9-in. Bosch four-channel |
| Wheels/Tires: | |
| HSE: | 19x8 alloy/255/55R19 |
| SC: | 20x8.5 alloy/255/50R20 |
| Wheelbase (in.): | 113.3 |
| Length (in.): | 195.7 |
| Width (in.): | 86.3 |
| Max height (in.): | 75.0 |
| Base curb weight (lb.): | 5,474-5,849 |
| Max ground clearance (in.): | 10.8 |
| Max approach/departure angles (deg.): | 34/27 |
| Max breakover angle (deg.): | 30 |
| Max towing capacity (lb.): | 7,716 |
| Interior cargo capacity (cu. ft.): | 74.9 |
| Fuel capacity (gal.): | 23.3 |
| EPA mileage estimates, combined (mpg): | 8.5/17.5 |
| Seating capacity, persons: | 5 |
