Is the Range Rover Sport a body-on-frame vehicle?
2 Answers
Range Rover Sport is a body-on-frame vehicle. Body-on-frame structure: In a body-on-frame design, the body is flexibly connected to the frame through rubber pads or springs. The frame serves as the foundation supporting the entire vehicle and bears various loads from installed assemblies. The body only carries the weight and inertial forces of passengers and cargo, with no consideration given to the body's auxiliary role in load-bearing during frame design. Structural characteristics: The frame spans the vehicle's full length, functioning independently as a skeleton structure. Constructed from thick welded steel plates, chassis components (engine, suspension, etc.) are mounted on the frame. The sheet metal body is then attached to the frame via rubber bushings.
I've been driving the Range Rover Sport for several years, and I often get asked about this. It indeed has a unibody construction, not the old-school body-on-frame design like the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Land Cruiser. The roof and chassis are integrated, making it much more stable than those with separate frames, offering better handling and less bumpiness during turns. Although the Range Rover Sport excels in off-road performance thanks to its full-time four-wheel-drive system and air suspension, it's more fuel-efficient and comfortable on highways, making it perfect for both urban and rural needs. Replacing parts is also straightforward, unlike the complexity of repairing body-on-frame vehicles. I tested many SUVs before buying, and this aspect particularly satisfied me—no worries about structural issues at all.
