2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2021 Range Rover Sport SE/HSE volume trims use the 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 mild-hybrid (P360) rated 355 hp at 5,500-6,500 rpm.

P360 peak torque is 365 lb-ft at 2,000-5,000 rpm, a wide flat plateau typical of the Ingenium I6 with electric supercharger.

Land Rover-published 0-60 for the base P360 is 6.6 seconds; faster engines are available further up the range.

The Ingenium I6 MHEV pairs an electric supercharger with the turbo to largely mask lag, delivering smooth, linear power most of the time; reviewers note mild coarseness only under hard, low-rpm throttle before boost fully builds.

The ZF 8-speed automatic standard across the 2021 range shifts crisply and rarely hunts, a long-praised unit in this segment.

Land Rover rates the 2021 Range Rover Sport gas lineup at 7,716 lbs max towing with the tow package, consistent across engine choices.

Full-time all-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response is standard across the entire 2021 trim lineup, with Terrain Response 2 and locking rear differential available — sophisticated and universal, not a top-trim-only feature.

Air suspension raises ground clearance to 10.9 in. with 33.0°/30.0° approach/departure angles and a 33.5 in. wading depth, plus Terrain Response 2 and an optional locking rear diff — genuine off-road hardware for a luxury SUV, though the sportier body and street-biased tuning trail dedicated off-road trims like a TRD Pro or Bronco Badlands.

2021 lineup spans two mild-hybrid I6 states of tune (P360/P400), a supercharged V8 (P525 Autobiography, P575 SVR) and a plug-in hybrid (P400e) — a wide, electrified spread across the range.

EPA-certified combined rating for the 2021 Range Rover Sport MHEV (P360/P400 mild-hybrid I6) is 21 MPG on premium gasoline.

EPA city figure for the 2021 Range Rover Sport MHEV I6.

EPA highway figure for the 2021 Range Rover Sport MHEV I6.

Gasoline-engine 2021 Range Rover Sport models (P360/P400/P525/SVR) share a 27.6-gallon (104 L) fuel tank; at the 21 MPG combined EPA rating that yields roughly 580 miles of range.

EPA's standard annual fuel cost estimate for the 21 MPG combined MHEV at premium gas prices and 15,000 mi/yr.

Premium (91 octane) gasoline is required across the 2021 Range Rover Sport gas lineup, adding real cost on top of already middling fuel economy.

NHTSA has never crash-tested the Range Rover Sport (L494/facelift generation); no overall star rating exists for 2021 or any year of this generation.

IIHS has not tested the Range Rover Sport — no Top Safety Pick status, no crashworthiness subscores, no award of any kind exists for this nameplate.

Forward collision warning, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning/lane keep assist, and front/rear parking sensors are standard across all 2021 trims, but blind-spot monitoring is standard only on the Autobiography trim and adaptive cruise control is optional on every trim via the Drive Pro/Driver Assist packs.

No independent IIHS front crash prevention test exists for this vehicle. Manufacturer describes standard AEB using forward radar and camera with pedestrian and cyclist detection, including a turning-across-path function, but performance is unverified by a third party.

Blind-spot monitoring is alert-only and standard on just the Autobiography trim, optional as a standalone add-on elsewhere; rear cross-traffic alert is bundled into the same optional packages rather than standard.

Lane departure warning and lane keep assist are standard, but true lane-centering only arrives with the optional Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist package — base lane keep is corrective rather than continuously centering.

Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist is available (Driver Assist Pack), working up to 112 mph with moderate steering inputs to help keep the vehicle centered, but it is optional on every trim rather than standard, and no instrumented review was found praising its refinement.

No hands-free highway-driving system (comparable to BlueCruise/Super Cruise/FSD) was offered on the 2021 Range Rover Sport; the most advanced available tech is hands-on adaptive cruise with steering assist.

LED headlights (Premium LED, 24-LED unit) are standard across the 2021 range; the higher-end Matrix LED and Pixel-Laser LED systems offered elsewhere were not approved for the US market, so American-spec cars top out at standard LED. No IIHS headlight rating exists to corroborate beam quality.

The high, upright seating position and large glass area give good forward and side visibility, but reviewers consistently flag a thick B-pillar blind spot and weak rear visibility; a 360-degree surround camera with ClearSight Ground View is available but optional rather than standard on the volume trim.

Full LATCH connectors on both rear outboard seats plus a center tether are present and the lower anchors are easy to locate and use, but fixed outboard head restraints and rear-seat space constraints make fitting multiple child seats simultaneously more of a squeeze.

Volume HSE configuration is the standard 5-seat layout; the 5+2 third row is a separate option.

Manufacturer-published interior dimension for the 2021 Range Rover Sport.

Manufacturer-published interior dimension.

Manufacturer-published second-row dimension; seats 5 (>=4), so item applies.

Manufacturer-published second-row dimension.

The volume 5-seat Range Rover Sport has no third row at all; the optional 5+2 layout is explicitly marketed as occasional/kid-sized seating, not adult-usable, and eats nearly all cargo space when deployed.

Manufacturer-published cargo figure for the 5-seat configuration.

Manufacturer-published maximum cargo figure for the 5-seat configuration.

Reasonable console bin, door pockets and underfloor storage, but reviewers single out cargo-carrying practicality as a relative weak point rather than a strength.

Edmunds and owner reviews describe firm, supportive front seats suited to long drives, with optional heated/ventilated/massaging front seats and heated/ventilated second row — strong but not universally top-rated.

Standard four-corner air suspension delivers composed, comfortable ride even on 21-inch wheels and broken pavement, per Edmunds.

Reviewers note hardly any wind or road noise intrusion, among the quieter cabins in the segment.

Rear climate vents/controls are standard and heated/ventilated/massaging seats are offered, but the richer comfort features are optional rather than standard across the volume trim.

Entry SE trim starts well above the mid-size luxury SUV norm, reflecting the Range Rover Sport's premium positioning within its segment.

HSE Silver Edition is the most commonly ordered trim; its price sits well above the segment's volume-trim norm.

Combines Edmunds' 5-year scheduled-maintenance estimate with RepairPal's per-year repair-cost average for this model; both run well above mainstream luxury-SUV norms and RepairPal ranks it near the bottom of its class for reliability.

Among the steepest 5-year depreciation curves in the mid-size luxury SUV class, falling well below the segment's typical retention band.

Standard 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, at the shorter end of the luxury-SUV segment band.

Land Rover does not extend powertrain coverage beyond the basic warranty term, well short of the 5–10 year powertrain coverage many rivals offer.

Land Rover's EliteCare ownership package bundles 5 years/60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance with roadside assistance and remote app connectivity for the full warranty period — a meaningful multi-year perks package by segment standards.

$79,850 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (36.5% retained, or about $29,145) leaves about $50,705 in depreciation. Add the projected $16,460 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $67,165 in total.

Consumer Reports' contemporaneous prediction for the 2021 model cited Land Rover's historically poor reliability record and did not recommend it, while J.D. Power's near-launch model score was a more middling 76/100 overall with Quality & Reliability at 73/100 ('Average'). The two disagreed at the time, but the 2021 model year is now old enough to have real dependability-study data behind it (J.D. Power's 2024 VDS, which surveys 3-year-old vehicles, covers this exact model year) and that data confirms the CR call rather than the JDP one, so this sits in the low band.

Land Rover has finished near the bottom of J.D. Power's dependability studies throughout this car's ownership life: the 2024 U.S. VDS, which surveys vehicles from the 2021 model year specifically, put the brand at 268 problems per 100 vehicles against a 190 industry average. The recurring fault categories are electrical/electronic systems and infotainment, and Consumer Reports has kept the brand in its bottom tier across the same period.

Consumer Reports counts 9 recalls against the 2021 model. Several are substantive rather than cosmetic: NHTSA 21V668000 (front and rear seat-belt automatic-locking retractors may deactivate early, mailed Oct 2021) applies directly to 2021 Range Rover Sport, and 23V044000 (engine cam carrier oil-channel blockage/leak) covers 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport across all powertrains including the gas I6. A third campaign, 23V221000 (coolant leaking onto the turbo heat shield, fire risk), is real but PHEV-specific (2018-2022 4-cylinder petrol PHEV only) and does not reach the gas-powertrain trim scored here. Taken together this is a heavier-than-typical campaign load with at least one safety-relevant and one powertrain-relevant issue, which keeps the score below the typical band even after excluding the PHEV-only fire recall.

The 2021 volume gas engine is the 3.0L Ingenium inline-six mild hybrid (P400, badged 400 Sport), which has a better reputation than JLR's four-cylinder and diesel Ingenium units and is directly implicated in fewer of the brand's worst engine failures. It is not trouble-free, though: the 48-volt belt-integrated starter-generator around it has a documented wear pattern in high-mileage, short-trip use, and owners report oil-consumption issues emerging after roughly 80,000 miles from piston-ring-land wear. The 2019-2023 cam-carrier oil-leak recall (23V044000) also reaches this engine family. None of this is a catastrophic red flag, so the score sits at the middle of the band rather than below it.

The facelifted cabin (2018-2022) carries soft leather, real wood and metal trim that reviewers rated on par with or above the segment's German rivals, and the Touch Pro Duo dual-screen layout looked and felt modern for its time. Materials are consistently praised as the car's clearest strength.

Physical panel fit and the stiff aluminium body draw little criticism, but electronics-as-quality-defects are a persistent theme for this generation: the Touch Pro Duo system's responsiveness and the broader electrical system are repeat complaint categories in owner reviews, consistent with J.D. Power's dependability data attributing most of the brand's problem count to electrical/infotainment faults rather than mechanical assembly. The 2021-specific seat-belt and later cam-carrier recalls also point to assembly-line quality lapses rather than pure design issues.

Land Rover's US network has sat around 200 dealers for years — workable for a luxury brand but far thinner than BMW's or Mercedes-Benz's, leaving rural and smaller-metro owners with a long drive to authorized service. The brand has consistently rated behind its sales experience on the service side in J.D. Power's satisfaction studies, a pattern that holds across this car's ownership window.

RepairPal rates the Range Rover Sport 2.5/5 for reliability with above-normal repair frequency and severity, and pegs the average annual repair bill at $1,179 — among the worst in the full-size luxury SUV class. Parts are mostly dealer-sourced with limited aftermarket support, and the air suspension this generation relies on is a specific expensive failure point: roughly $1,700 for a single air spring, over $2,000 for the compressor, and $4,000+ for a full system replacement.

The 2021 facelifted Range Rover Sport (pre-Pivi Pro generation) uses Land Rover's Touch Pro Duo system: two 10-inch HD touchscreens stacked on the center stack.

Edmunds and other reviewers specifically flag technology as a weak point versus rivals, citing sluggish touchscreen response and a dual-screen layout some found confusing to operate on the move.

Touch Pro Duo supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the volume trim, but wireless projection was not part of this pre-Pivi Pro system for the 2021 model year — connection is wired.

InControl native navigation and voice control are functional but not class-leading; many owners default to phone projection for navigation.

An 8-speaker system is standard, with optional Meridian systems scaling up to 825W/19-speaker and 1,700W/23-speaker Signature setups — strong top end, modest base.

A 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster is standard across the 2021 Range Rover Sport range, ahead of many rivals that gate this behind upper trims.

Land Rover's Touch Pro Duo-era software updates were limited to infotainment/map refreshes via InControl rather than comprehensive whole-vehicle OTA updates common on newer EV-focused rivals.

The InControl Remote app covers the core remote functions (lock/unlock, remote start, climate pre-conditioning) but is less polished and more subscription-dependent than leading rivals' apps.

USB ports are provided for front and rear rows and a wireless charging pad was available, but confirmed device-power specifics for the 2021 model year are limited in available sourcing.

Proximity keyless entry and push-button start are standard with remote start via the InControl app, but the 2021 model year predates phone-as-key capability.

A surround/360-degree camera system and parking sensors are available on the Range Rover Sport, consistent with its luxury-SUV positioning, though full surround view is trim-dependent rather than standard on the base volume trim.

A 10-inch full-color head-up display is offered but as an available option rather than standard equipment on the volume trim.

Wide door openings and a high seating position ease car-seat installation, and LATCH anchors are present on outboard rear seats, but the absence of a standard third row and tight-ish rear legroom for the segment temper the score.

Land Rover offers a reasonable ADAS suite, but neither NHTSA nor IIHS has published full crash-test ratings for the 2021 Range Rover Sport, leaving the core safety credential unverified for US buyers.

Standard rear climate vents/controls, a quiet cabin, and a comfortable ride suit multi-hour family trips, offset by modest cargo volume behind the second row for gear-heavy trips.

The mild-hybrid inline-six is smooth at low speed and the SUV is composed in traffic, though its size and weight require more deliberate maneuvering than smaller commuters.

As a 395-hp, ~5,100-lb luxury SUV, the gas-only P400 posts below-average fuel economy for commuting costs, and premium fuel plus luxury-tier consumables add to running costs.

A 192.1-in length, 81.6-in width and 40.6-ft turning circle make this a large vehicle to thread through tight urban spaces, only partly offset by available parking cameras.

A 7,716-lb max towing rating on gas powertrains is solid for light trailer/equipment duty, though there is no bed and cargo volume is modest versus work-oriented trucks and SUVs.

JD Power rates the 2021 model's quality/reliability at 73/100 (average-to-below-average) and Consumer Reports characterizes Land Rovers as historically unreliable and costly to repair — a luxury-oriented vehicle, not a fleet-proven work tool.

Leather-trimmed, luxury-focused cabin with no washable work surfaces, onboard power tools, or upfit ecosystem comparable to trucks or commercial-oriented SUVs.

A quiet, comfortable cabin with a composed air-suspension ride supports highway touring, with adequate gas-tank range for the segment, though ADAS suite is competent rather than class-leading.

Standard AWD, Terrain Response 2, adjustable air suspension with up to 10.9 in of ground clearance, and a class-leading 33.5-in wading depth make this one of the most genuinely off-road-capable vehicles in its segment.

A 62.2 cu ft maximum cargo volume with the second row folded, available roof rails, and a 7,716-lb tow rating cover most gear-hauling needs, though behind-second-row volume (27.4 cu ft) is only mid-pack.

Reviewers call it one of the more enjoyable SUVs to drive in its class and note stable cornering, but also caution that its ~2.5-tonne mass keeps it from feeling genuinely agile.

Typical of Land Rover SUVs of this era, steering is accurate and well-weighted for its size but light on genuine road feedback.

No specific instrumented braking complaints surfaced in reviews; large brakes suited to the vehicle's weight are standard on P400 trims, suggesting adequate, unremarkable stopping performance.

The mild-hybrid 3.0L inline-six with electric supercharger and twin-scroll turbo is praised for smoothing low-end response and stop-start transitions.

Owners specifically cite engine sound as a positive, and the cabin isolates road/wind noise well, suggesting the inline-six is pleasant rather than intrusive under load.

A large turning circle reflecting the vehicle's substantial footprint, at the wide end of the mid-size luxury SUV band.

A commanding, elevated seating position, broad adjustability, and good forward visibility support a comfortable driving posture, consistent with Range Rover's traditional ergonomic strength, despite the split-screen control layout taking some learning.

Pleasant, characterful engine note and composed handling for its size make it more engaging than a typical luxury SUV, but its weight and size cap genuine driver enjoyment versus sportier rivals.

Base SE trim includes leather-faced seats, a touchscreen infotainment suite and driver-assist basics, but key items (larger touchscreen, advanced driver aids, Meridian premium audio tiers) are reserved for pricier HSE/HST/Autobiography trims, in line with segment norms rather than exceeding them.

Priced at or above rivals like the BMW X5, Audi Q7/SQ7 and Genesis GV80 while trailing them on reliability reputation and infotainment polish, so the content-per-dollar proposition is weaker than the segment norm despite strong off-road capability and cabin ambiance.

Seven distinct trims (S, SE, HSE, HSE Silver Edition, HST, Autobiography, SVR) spanning roughly $70,000 to $131,000, with powertrain choices from the 355 hp P360 inline-six to the plug-in P400e and the 575 hp SVR, gives buyers a wide spread from relatively restrained to track-focused.

21,341 US units in 2021, up 6.4% year-over-year and Land Rover's best-selling nameplate, but still a mid-pack volume relative to class leaders like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE which outsell it.

The Range Rover name carries strong aspirational cachet and a loyal following in the luxury SUV space, offsetting its well-known reliability reputation in buyers' eyes.

2021 was a tight-inventory year industry-wide (chip shortage) and Land Rover/Range Rover models historically see thinner incentives than mainstream SUVs, so meaningful discounting was uncommon for this model year.

2021 is the fourth year of the 2018 facelift on the second-generation (L494) platform that debuted in 2013 — a mid-cycle year, current but not cutting-edge, on an underlying platform approaching the end of its run (the third-generation L461 was revealed May 2022).

Well-reviewed for its supercharged six-cylinder performance, ride and off-road ability (Edmunds ~3.3/5, Car and Driver praised the engine), but it is not typically the comparison-test winner against German rivals, which are usually cited ahead of it on technology and reliability.