The Range Rover Sport Autobiography/First Edition has 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 XC60 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 XC60, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.
The Range Rover Sport Autobiography/First Edition offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC60.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Range Rover Sport’s wheelbase is 5.2 inches longer than on the XC60 (118 inches vs. 112.8 inches).
For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Range Rover Sport is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.
For better maneuverability, the Range Rover Sport w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the XC60’s (35.9 feet vs. 37.4 feet).
For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Sport has a 2.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 w/Air Suspension (11.1 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Range Rover Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Range Rover Sport’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the XC60 (11.1 vs. 8.5 inches).