Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Land Rover RANGE ROVER SPORT VS 2013 Audi Q7 Near Phoenix, AZ

The Range Rover Sport Supercharged offers optional Collision Mitigation by Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Q7 doesn't offer crash mitigation brakes.

The Range Rover Sport offers an optional Surround Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Q7 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Range Rover Sport and the Q7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Range Rover Sport has a standard 850 amp battery. The Q7’s standard 380 amp battery and largest (TDI) 520 amp battery aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Range Rover Sport third among large premium crossover/SUV’s in their 2012 Initial Quality Study. The Q7 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Range Rover Sport’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 95 more horsepower (375 vs. 280) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (375 vs. 295) than the Q7 3.0T’s standard 3.0 supercharged V6. The Range Rover Sport’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 42 more horsepower (375 vs. 333) and 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (375 vs. 325) than the Q7 3.0T S line’s standard 3.0 supercharged V6. The Range Rover Sport Supercharged’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 177 more horsepower (510 vs. 333) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (461 vs. 325) than the Q7 3.0T S line’s standard 3.0 supercharged V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Range Rover Sport Supercharged is faster than the Q7 3.0T S line:

For better stopping power the Range Rover Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q7:

The Range Rover Sport stops shorter than the Q7:

The Range Rover Sport HSE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q7’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Range Rover Sport HSE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q7.

The Range Rover Sport offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Q7 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Range Rover Sport uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Q7, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Range Rover Sport Supercharged offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Q7.

The Range Rover Sport Supercharged performs Car and Driver’s emergency lane change maneuver 9 MPH faster than the Q7 S line Prestige (61.5 vs. 52.5 MPH).

For better maneuverability, the Range Rover Sport’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Q7’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q7 (8.9 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Range Rover Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Range Rover Sport is 12 inches shorter than the Q7, making the Range Rover Sport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Range Rover Sport has 1.1 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Q7.

The Range Rover Sport’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Q7’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Range Rover Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q7.

On a hot day the Range Rover Sport’s driver can lower the front windows using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Q7 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Range Rover Sport detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Q7 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.